With just three matches left in the regular season, New Mexico United (10-10-5, 35 pts) remains firmly in the hunt for a USL Championship playoff berth after earning a 0–0 draw on the road Wednesday night against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field.
The result keeps United in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, preserving a slim cushion in a tightly contested playoff race. While the draw marked the team’s third straight match without a win, it also marked the second consecutive road fixture in which United secured a point thanks to disciplined defending and steady goalkeeping.
Wednesday’s match was a defensive battle from the start.
Neither United nor the Switchbacks could manage to break through in the final third, despite multiple set-piece opportunities and moments of high pressure.
Goalkeeper Kris Shakes recorded his third clean sheet of the season, making two key saves and organizing a back line that limited Colorado Springs to just three shots on goal. Kipp Keller and Jaylin Lindsey helped anchor back four that remained composed throughout the match, frustrating the home side’s attack.
The clean sheet follows a 1–1 draw against Monterey Bay FC the previous weekend, where forward Luther Archimède scored a late equalizer—his second goal in league play since joining the squad this summer.
After opening September with a strong road win in San Antonio, United has struggled to regain its scoring form, recording just two goals across the last three matches. Still, the team has collected five points over its last four matches, keeping them in control of their own postseason fate.
“There's always going to be things for us to continue to improve on, but I think that we've gained our confidence back individually and collectively, and now we just got to keep the momentum going,” Head Coach Dennis Sanchez said. “But know that every game is going to difficult.”
New Mexico United now returns home for back-to-back matches at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park— Saturday, October 4 vs. Lexington SC, followed by Saturday, October 11 vs. Orange County SC. Both fixtures will carry major playoff implications, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT.