ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In front of a roaring crowd at Isotopes Park, New Mexico United delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, defeating San Antonio FC 2-0 on Friday night to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs.
With the win, United extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches and secured a clean sheet in its first playoff fixture—an emphatic continuation of the club’s late-season surge under first-year head coach Dennis Sanchez.
From the opening whistle, United pressed with intensity and confidence. Valentin Noël nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a shot off the crossbar that sent a jolt through the home crowd. Just minutes later, Mukwelle Akale cleaned up a rebound and slotted home the opening goal. It was Akale’s second career playoff goal, making him United’s all-time leader in postseason scoring.
United maintained control for much of the first half, creating several promising chances while holding San Antonio at bay. Goalkeeper Kris Shakes made a critical stop in the 39th minute to preserve the 1-0 lead heading into the break.
In the second half, United remained composed. The backline anchored by Talen Maples, Kalen Ryden, and Kipp Keller showed the same cohesion and urgency that has defined the club’s recent form. In the 58th minute, Noël doubled the lead with a calm finish following a well-placed pass from Keller, giving United the breathing room it needed to manage the final third of the match.
Shakes, making his first playoff start, finished the night with four saves and the clean sheet. Afterward, he praised the defense and the energy from the home fans.
“There’s nothing like it—playing in front of familia,” Shakes said. “We’ve been talking about this all week, and it feels amazing to get it done at home. Defense wins championships, and tonight we showed that.”
New Mexico outshot San Antonio 13-6 and committed fewer fouls, despite the physicality of the match. Gedion Zelalem and Dayton Harris both received yellow cards for United, while San Antonio was shown one caution late in the second half.
Friday’s match marked a culmination of weeks of steady progress for a United team that has been one of the hottest in the league since mid-September. The win followed a pair of high-scoring regular season draws and a strong final-day victory over Rhode Island FC, and it offered perhaps the clearest sign yet that this squad is peaking at the right time.
Head coach Dennis Sanchez, who has emphasized emotional control and consistency throughout the season, said the result reflected a collective identity that’s taken shape over the course of the year.
“I’m proud of the guys,” Sanchez said. “We came out with the energy we talked about all week. There were moments where we had to suffer, but we stuck together. That first goal was a small sample of who we are—a team that plays for each other.”
Sanchez credited the locker room chemistry, the leadership from veterans, and the contributions from key signings like Noël and Keller for helping the club establish rhythm heading into the playoffs. “We're healthy, we’re sharp, and we’re believing in the process,” he said. “The guys are enjoying the moment, and that’s what you want in this stage of the season.”
New Mexico United now awaits the results of the weekend’s other Western Conference quarterfinals to determine their next opponent. Regardless of venue or matchup, the club enters the semifinals with momentum, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The job, as Shakes put it, isn’t finished.
“We’re playing dangerous football,” the goalkeeper said. “But we know every game is up to us to dictate. We’ve got more work to do.”
New Mexico United will compete in the Western Conference Semifinals next weekend. Match details, including location and opponent, are expected to be announced within days.