ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a back-and-forth thriller at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, New Mexico United (13-10-5, 44 pts) shared the points with Orange County SC in a 3–3 draw Saturday night, extending their unbeaten streak to six matches while continuing the push for a top-four playoff seed in the USL Championship Western Conference.
Forward Greg Hurst led the way with a first-half brace, scoring in the 33rd and 36th minutes to flip a 1–0 deficit into a 2–1 advantage. Orange County responded quickly, equalizing in the 39th and then regaining the lead in stoppage time (46’) just before halftime. United battled back again early in the second half as Kipp Keller scored his first professional goal in the 51st minute. A key stop from Alex Tambakis in the 77th preserved the draw, which Head Coach Dennis Sanchez called “a missed opportunity, but a valuable lesson.”
With two matches remaining, United has already clinched a playoff berth but remains locked in a tight race for postseason seeding. “We’re in control, but we need to finish strong,” Sanchez said. “These next two games are critical.”
The club also made headlines this week with two major player updates.
Veteran defender Kalen Ryden announced that the 2025 season will be his last. A fixture on United’s back line since 2020, Ryden is the club’s all-time leader in clearances and blocks and remains a steadying presence as the team prepares for the postseason. “Kalen has been the soul of this team,” said United CEO Peter Trevisani.
Midfielder Daniel Bruce also made news, undergoing successful ACL reconstruction surgery last week. The club confirmed the procedure was completed without complications and that Bruce has begun rehabilitation.
United returns to the field Sunday, October 19, to host Oakland Roots SC at 3:00 p.m. MT, before closing the regular season on Blackout Night against Rhode Island FC on Friday, October 24.