Unlike the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico United wasn’t dependent on the weather. Hosting Orange County SC on a chilly Saturday night, United had plenty to play for as they were still seeking to secure a home playoff match. A flat start gave the visitors a lead, but Greg Hurst led the charge to come from behind with a brace on the way to a 3-3 draw.
Coming into the night, New Mexico United had a chance to secure a home playoff match as they hosted Orange County SC. There were two factors that needed to happen for United. One, United needed to win at home. And two, El Paso needed to draw or lose against Lexington. The latter didn’t happen, as El Paso won on the road, 2-1.
The former didn’t get off to a great start.
Orange County, which was fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, came out swinging. The visitors applied pressure across the pitch, leaving United looking uncomfortable early. United’s midfield, which was without both Gedion Zelalem, due to suspension, and Zico Bailey, due to international duty, struggled to maintain control and committed a costly turnover in the 15th minute.
As Kalen Ryden intercepted a pass that was intended for Ethan Zubak, he inadvertently played the ball straight back to Orange County. His momentum carried him forward, putting both he and Will Seymore out of position. That opened up plenty of room for Christopher Hegardt to find Tristan Trager in the 15th minute, streaking toward the goal. With only Alex Tambakis is front of him, Trager took a shot with his right foot and put it out of reach for the Greek goalkeeper and into the net for the lead, 0-1.
The hosts slowly played their way into the match, countering the press with quick passes and trying to get in behind the Orange County defense. Applying pressure in the 33rd minute, Seymore was able to pick the pocket of Vuk Latinovich in the attacking third and push forward. He was able to find Greg Hurst on a cross inside the area, and Hurst lashed the ball into the near side of the net for an equalizer, 1-1.
Not even two minutes later, Hurst would give United the lead with his second goal of the night. The 35th-minute sequence started after United took possession in their own defensive third. Two passes later, Dayonn Harris was played into the wide area, with acres of space around him. Driving all the way to the byline, Harris finally looked inside, where he found Hurst at the mark again. Hurst took his chance, and with Colin Shutler out of the way, the Scotsman put United ahead, 2-1.
That lead was short-lived as Trager would get a brace of his own in the 39th. After a looping ball went to the near post for Orange County, Trager, who appeared to be offside, was unfortunately left unmarked. The forward was able to get a head to the ball and put it inside the near post, pulling level, 2-2.
Orange County would find a third goal before the half was done, undoing all of the work that Hurst had done in the first half. Just as stoppage time was being announced in the 45th minute, Seymore would give up a disastrous turnover at midfield. What appeared to be a pass fell woefully short of any other United player, giving Orange County a chance to get onto it. They swiftly got the ball forward, ultimately squaring a pass to Stephen Kelly at the top of the box. Not one to waste an open shot, Kelly fired the ball past Tambakis, retaking the lead, 2-3.
Given the state of things, Head Coach Dennis Sanchez felt compelled to make changes at halftime. His first series of substitutions was to send on Carlos Moguel Jr and Kipp Keller for Ousman Jabang and Kalen Ryden. Within minutes, that looked like a brilliant change by the gaffer.
United won the first corner kick of the second half in the 51st, attacking the south end of the pitch. Mukwelle Akale delivered the corner, curling it toward the near post. There, Talen Maples was able to flick the ball more centrally with his head, and Keller was there with a header of his own. Keller’s went into the bottom left corner of the net, pulling United back level for the second time, 3-3.
Both sides would have chances to close out the match, but neither could find a winner. Tambakis came up with a big save in the 77th minute, leaping to his left to keep Ousmane Sylla out of the goal when he shot from behind the box.
Attendance – 8,148
Player of the Match – Greg Hurst
Hurst carried the club to the result. He kept putting himself in the right position throughout the night. His positioning gave United hope in the first half, scoring two goals and putting United ahead after giving up the early lead. The goals were the first he had scored in a month, last scoring against Detroit City FC on September 10.
Notable
Keller’s goal was his first of the season and first as a professional.
Up Next
After the draw, United has two home matches remaining in the regular season. Their next match will come on Sunday, October 19 when they host Oakland Roots SC. That match is scheduled to kickoff at 3:00 p.m. (MT) from Isotopes Park. At stake when they return to play will be a home playoff match. A win would secure United’s place at home in their first playoff match. Three points is all that stands in their way.
With other results around the league, United no longer has a chance at earning the number one seed, but a chance for the second seed is still in play. For that to happen, United will have to win their final two matches and Sacramento would need to drop four more points in their final three matches.