Four weeks into the league season, New Mexico United finally got a chance to play in front of their home supporters at The Lab. Their task was to stop the losing streak and put their first points of the season on the leaderboard. Standing in their way was Talen Maples, former United defender, and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Dayonn Harris garnered two assists and a goal, on the way to a United win, 3-2.
United looked stronger in the opening minutes than they had in either of the first two league matches against Oakland or San Antonio. Working both sides of the pitch, United’s pace was causing issues for the Colorado defense. In the absence of Zico Bailey, who was with the National Team, Ousman Jabang would have to slide farther up the pitch. He seems to be developing a good relationship with newcomer Niall Reid-Stephen, which led to Jabang finding opportunities to play Reid-Stephen into space on the right wing.
Meanwhile, Cristian Nava and Chris Gloster were turning Maples inside out on the left side. The former United defender struggled with the overlapping runs, often having to turn to goal. Maples looked lost and couldn’t track the duo. On the outside looking in, it looked like United would have their run of the pitch. Even though the Switchbacks were conceding the wings, the center of the defense remained compact, limiting the chances for United to open the scoring. The host’s best chance of the first half came early, giving hope to the faithful in the stands.
United’s early chances came on the tail end of two corners in the opening salvo from United. It was in the sixth minute that Niko Hämäläinen forced the Switchbacks keeper, Colin Shutler, into making a reaction save. From outside the area, Hämäläinen aimed for the top left corner. As well placed as the shot was, it appeared destined to find the net. Shutler had other things in mind. Leaping to the left, Shutler was able to push the ball away, preventing the opening goal.
Over the past few seasons, the Switchbacks had been known for their pace up top, but roster changes after 2025 forced them to adjust their tactics. Khori Bennett was the top target for the Switchbacks and drifted around the pitch trying to find chances of his own. For as active as he was, the Switchbacks never truly tested Kris Shakes in the first half of the home opener. It was Adrien Perez who was able to put a shot on frame in the 44th minute, but it was easily saved by the man from Penn.
Goalless at the break, neither club seemed ready to concede.
That status didn’t last long into the second half. In the 55th minute, Sadam Masereka dribbled his way into the box, trying to cut to the left side of the area. As he did, he seemingly drew contact from Will Seymore and went to ground, earning a penalty. Initially, it looked like Maples was going to be tasked with stepping to the penalty mark, but Bennett turned him away. Bennett directed the ball into the bottom right corner, just outside the reach of a diving Shakes to take the lead, 1-0.
In response to the penalty, Coach Dennis Sanchez made three changes in the 61st minute, bringing on Kipp Keller, Justin Rennicks, and Dayonn Harris. Minutes later, Harris had an immediate impact on the match, equalizing for the hosts. 15 seconds was the length of time the attack lasted before Harris found the net. Shakes started the attack from his own area in the 64th, passed the ball to Greg Hurst at midfield, who then split the defenders, playing Harris in behind.
Defenders closing down from behind. Shutler coming out from his goal, Harris put the ball around the keeper and into the bottom right corner. Cool and composed under pressure, Harris ended 2025 with the last home goal for United, opened 2026 with the first home goal, this one a big equalizer, 1-1. From there, United was off to the races.
In quick succession, they managed to steal the ball away from Colorado Springs two more times before United got a second goal. In the 65th, Hurst started the attack once again. Intercepting a pass in the attacking half, Hurst was able to spring Harris into space on the right wing. Bodies in the area, Harris could have played it to the face of goal, but instead sent in a buzzing cross just beyond the penalty mark. The placement of the pass allowed Valentin Noel to run onto the ball. Streaming in, Noel’s shot looked to go across the net into the right but took a deflection which redirected it to the left side of the net for the lead, 2-1.
In his return to New Mexico, former Lobo Maliek Howell subbed into the match in the 82nd minute and made an impact of his own, just not in a good way. He was trying to defend Yosuke Hanya in the 92nd, but Howell cut off the run inside the area. There was some amount of contact, and enough for the referee to signal for a second penalty in favor of the Switchbacks. Bennett once again headed to the spot, and went left this time. Shakes guessed incorrectly, going to the right, allowing Colorado to equalize, 2-2.
United would not be denied in their home opener. In the 96th minute, the club found another opening after recovering a turnover in the attacking half. Harris was played in behind the defenders, and squared the ball to the unlikely Ousman Jabang at the top of the six yard box. Jabang blasted the ball into the back of the net to seal the win for United, 3-2.
Player of the Match
Dayonn Harris – Two assists and one goal. Just a normal day at the office for Harris, in front of 9,491 fans at The Lab. Harris was involved in every aspect of the match and put forth the display of the season so far.
Up Next
United will go into the US Open Cup second round on Wednesday, April 1. Their opponent will be a familiar one, with El Paso Locomotive making the drive north to Albquerque. Last year, it was El Paso that eliminated New Mexico from the Open Cup, so United will be seeking some amount of revenge for that match. Coverage of that match will begin at 6 p.m. MT with the pregame show, starting Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. Kickoff for the match will follow at 7 p.m. MT from the UNM Soccer Complex. Catch New Mexico United all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM apps, and The TEAM website.
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