Louisville City FC came into Albuquerque looking for revenge for a 2-0 loss last season. New Mexico United was looking to recover from their first home loss earlier in the week. The battle between the top scoring club and one of the best defensive clubs was ultimately decided by a single deflection. That deflection gave the visitors the win, 0-1, at The Lab.
In stark contrast to how they had played in the previous three outings, New Mexico came out with more fervor. They looked intent on controlling the pace of play and spreading the Louisville defense. By playing more side to side, United was hoping to exploit the gaps as the visitors rotated across the pitch.
In the 8th minute, Louisville appeared to be out of position enough that Chris Gloster saw an opening to go for goal. His strike from nearly 25 yards out was on frame, and forced a save out of Lou City keeper Damian Las. The save was nothing more than a punch that sent the ball right back into the field of play. Daniel Bruce appeared to be in the right spot at the right time as the punched ball came his way. Unable to get a touch, the ball ended up falling for Marco Micaletto.
Micaletto stepped into the ball and put in a shot that appeared heading toward the goal. In a moment of bad luck, the ball ended up going off of Bruce and was deflected out for a goal kick.
United would have another look at goal in the 28th minute when Avionne Flanagan found a gap between the leftback and centreback. The ball was played over the top looking for United’s #27, Ayo looked to have a run on the ball, but Las was quick off of this line and killed the attack.
Another opportunity presented itself to United in the 30th when they were able to create a turnover in the attacking half. After the turnover, Zico Bailey had options to either side as he tried to split the center of the Louisville defense. Instead of playing it off to the wings, Bailey opted to shoot from around 25 yards out from goal and was well off target.
Louisville would find a way to grab the lead in the 40th minute after a fortunate bounce for the visitors. Wilson Harris was able to get a shot off from close range, forcing a save from Alex Tambakis. Tambakis’ save was punched away from goal, much like the save from Las earlier in the evening. Unlike that one, the ball fell directly to Jansen Wilson at the edge of the penalty area, and he slotted past Tambakis for the lead, 0-1.
Straight out of the break, United was on the front foot again. Inside of the 47th minute, United had worked their way to the edge of the area and the ball was played to Greg Hurst at the left of the area. Hurst was unable to control the ball and put an awfully heavy touch on the ball, effectively killing the attack.
United’s insistence on playing out of the back nearly cost them in the 56th minute. Throughout the season, they have been slow at times to make decisions at the back and it happened again tonight. As the ball was played around the back to Tambakis, the pressure invited saw two Lou City forwards converging on the keeper. After nearly giving the ball away, Tambakis played it out to the left where it immediately went to a Louisville midfielder.
The sequence that followed resulted in three consecutive corner kicks for the visitors. The first saw a header that nearly went in, but was prevented by a great diving save from Tambakis. The second was nearly an Olympico before Tambakis made another save.
United’s last best chances for an attack came around the 70th-minute mark. Head Coach Eric Quill had made a number of changes at that point to try and salvage at least a point on the evening. In those few minutes, United tried to get the ball into the area, but the touches weren’t there. The crosses continued to sail over and no one could bring the ball down.
Louisville spent the second half dropping to five on their back line, making it hard for Hurst and Kalen Ryden, who was slotted into a forward role as a sub, to find any chances. Fellow sub Dayonn Harris tried to find Ryden in the closing minutes of regulation but Ryden couldn’t get a quality touch as he was trying to play through a Louisville defender to get to it.
The visitors would only register one big chance on the evening and gave up the lion’s share of possession. But as it is with soccer, possession doesn’t mean goals. It’s about creating and converting chances, something that United failed to do as they lost for the second time in a week at home, this time by a final of 0-1.
Player of the Match
Talen Maples – Maples and his partner Anthony Herbert played well throughout the evening as they tried to contain the top scoring team in the league. Maples had seven clearances and three recoveries on the evening and his efforts don’t go unnoticed by the fans.
Up Next
After consecutive losses, United goes back on the road to face another Eastern Conference opponent. This time, they face Indy Eleven who currently sit fourth in the East. United needs to find ways to win against playoff level clubs if they hope to finish the season strong and maintain their hold on first place. Coverage of Saturday’s match will begin at 2 p.m. (MT) with the pregame show featuring Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. Follow the pregame show, kickoff will start the match at 3 p.m. (MT). Coverage of New Mexico United can be heard all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.
