The third international friendly in the history of New Mexico United took place tonight at The Lab. For the first time, the club had the chance to play against a club from Liga MX, FC Juarez. Los Bravos showed up for the first match of their preseason and rode a strong first half to a 2-4 win over United.
Against a club the caliber of FC Juarez, United would have to be at their best to come away with a win. Things didn’t start well for United as they looked clunky in their attempts at possession. There was an early mistake by Kalen Ryden, who had the ball stolen from him deep in the defensive half. In the 13th minute, the ball was crossed back into the area where Angel Zaldivar was waiting and put in a beautiful header, beating Kris Shakes for the early lead, 0-1.
Zaldivar would grab himself a brace in the first half after getting a second goal in the 41st minute. Off of a play very similar to the first goal, minus the steal, it was another cross into the area that Zaldivar was able to punch home to extend the lead, 0-2.
United was just seeming to find their footing when they gave up another goal, this one coming against the run of play. After winning a corner, United seemed to have a chance to pull one back, but as Sergio Rivas tried to chest the ball down, it was stolen away and Los Braves countered. At the other end of the pitch, Aitor Garcia was able to stop on a dime and split the space between Avionne Flanagan and Kris Shakes, to once again shake the net and put the visitors up 0-3.
Just before halftime, United Academy player Jackson Dubois gave up a foul deep in the defensive territory after tackling Garcia and picking up a yellow card. The early card presented the defender with a learning opprtunity in how to play while already having a card, in a contentious match.
With the match being a friendly, there were over a dozen substitutions between the sides at halftime. United make six changes, while FC Juarez changed nearly their entire team sheet before play restarted.
The changes that Eric Quill made for his side at halftime made a world of difference for his club. The movement was better, the passes were crisper, and the side looked more confident. One of those changes was the insertion of Marco Micaletto, who was causing some trouble for Los Bravos immediately. In the 52nd minute, Micaletto appeared to draw a foul in the area after some contact, but the referee waved play on.
Less than a minute later, another Academy produce would earn a penalty for United. Derek Lozano made this debut with the first team and as he tried to cut into the box, an FC Juarez defender extended his arm and rolled it over the ball, resulting in an easy penalty call for the referee. Micaletto was given the honors for the attempt and drilled the ball into the left corner of the net cutting the lead, 1-3.
A short six minutes later United would claw a second goal back. After winning a foul outside the area to the left of goal, Micaletto stood over it ready to cross into the area. In the 58th, his cross fell over everyone and in flew an unmarked Ryden who headed the ball past new keeper Benny Diaz to put United within striking distance, 2-3.
In the 61st, Dubois would actually be sent off for a second yellow after a foul near the benches. But, due to the mach being a friendly, United was allowed to continue to play with 11 men for the remainder of the match. That wouldn’t be the end of the red cards though. Despite it being a friendly, the benches would clear in the 82nd minute and as a result, Jairo Torres of Juarez would get sent off, as would Nate Walzer, one of United’s coaches.
After play finally resumed, there was another penalty awarded, this time in favor of FC Juarez. As they shot from the top of the box, the ball deflected off the hip of Anthony Herbert, but the referee deemed it a handball in the 84th minute. Garcia was given the chance to extend the lead once again. He stepped up to the mark and converted in the right side of the net, clinching the win, 2-4.
Player of the Match
Angel Zaldivar – Not knowing much about FC Juarez heading into the match, it was hard to pick a name of who to watch. Zaldivar stole the show early with a first half brace and seemed to always be in the right spot at the right time. Until he was subbed off, United had no answer for him and he should be a key player for Los Bravos as they head into their season.
Up Next
United gets back to league play this weekend during Pride on the Pitch Night. This Saturday, the club will host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and try to continue making The Lab a fortess. Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman will kick off the coverage at 6 PM with the pregame show, followed by every minute of every play starting with kickoff at 7 PM. New Mexico United can be heard all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.
