The Miami FC gave New Mexico United everything they could handle on Friday night. A physical first half gave way to a wide open second half, in which United had to hang on in order to earn an important three points. The difference in this one was the positioning of Jacobo Reyes, whose first half goal proved to be the difference in the 1-0 win for United.
Miami came out and played as expected throughout the first half. When a club is struggling, they tend to sit back and look to capitalize on the mistakes of their opponents. Tonight was no different for this club. Despite showing a three back formation on the team sheet, Miami played a consistent back five, forcing United to try and figure out a way to break them down.
Each time United tried to press forward, Greg Hurst found himself constantly having to play through three defenders. As the half continued, the Miami players were clearly being affected by the conditions, namely the altitude, and their marking began to fall off. United nearly had a chance in the 34th minute. From the right wing, Mukwelle Akale delivered a dipping cross. As the ball dove, Hurst stepped around the defender and attempted a diving header, coming up just short of connecting.
Just before the half, United finally found enough space for the forwards to operate and it ended up in a goal. From the left, Akale found Hurst inside the area with a chance to score. From a tight angle, Hurst fired on goal, forcing a save out of Khadim Ndiaye. Going to the ground, Ndiaye couldn’t do better than parry the ball away, but it fell into an open space. Jacobo Reyes reacted faster than either of the Miami defenders in the area, and slotted home with his left foot for the lead, 1-0.
After the break, the match visibly opened up for both sides. Miami, chasing a point, were far more aggressive and were trying to put extra pressure on United. Whatever was said at halftime put a fire under the visitors, and they weren’t going to roll over. Some of the runs they had shown in the first half were starting to spread United, and force them to react, rather than be the instigators.
Facing some troubles with yellow cards, Head coach Eric Quill made the decision to pull off both Nannan Houssou and Marco Micaletto. That wasn’t the end of the trouble for United. Hurst was also forced to play extensive minutes with a yellow to his name as well. In the 59th, as United looked to be on an offensive break, Hurst and Junior Palacios became tangled, ending with the Miami defender going down. Fortunately for United, the referee did not deem the foul enough for a second yellow.
In the 80th minute, United escaped a scary situation that nearly resulted in an equalizer for the visitors. On the heels of a corner, the ball would be crossed into the area, where it seemed to fall only to United. Talen Maples tried to head the ball over the net it seemed, but a light touch only served to put the ball on a course for the net. Alex Tambakis was there to punch the ball away and prevent the own goal.
The second half certainly wasn’t what Coach Quill or the supporters would have wanted to see. Miami’s scheme continue to cause problems for United and kept the attack quiet for much of the half. United would see another chance in stoppage time, but Ndiaye managed to stick out a hand and give his club a last gasp at pulling out a point. United managed to settle the affair in the closing moments of the half, keeping the ball deep in the corner on their way to earning three more points with the 1-0 win.
Player of the Match
Jacobo Reyes – Reyes was the most dangerous option for United on the evening and his positioning played a big part in that. Being in the area put him in the perfect spot to capitalize and score his third goal in four home matches.
Up Next
The homestand is short-lived for United as they once again head on the road. Next up they head to Michigan to face the always dangerous Detroit City FC. United may have a chance to clinch the playoffs next week depending on the results from around the league this weekend. Coverage of that match will begin at 4:00 p.m. (MT) with the pregame show starring Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. Following the conclusion of the pregame show, the pair will bring every minute of the game with kickoff starting the action at 5:00 p.m. (MT). Catch every minute of every play all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.
