ALBUQUERQUE, NM – New Mexico United played a series of games in the USL Soccer tournament, the results are below.
November 17
Day One of the USL Academy Playoffs saw New Mexico United Academy come away with an emphatic victory over AC Connecticut. The 2-0 margin was reflective of the excellent defensive work, as United expertly defended as a unit throughout the match, holding Connecticut without a shot on goal.
On the offensive side of the ball, Alex Waggoner was dominant. The Santa Fe-native earned his first goal in the 30th minute, as Andres Robles played a terrific low through ball, and Waggoner did the rest, dribbling between two defenders and firing low and hard around the keeper.
“This has been the goal all year long,” said Waggoner. “It feels to have this execution in a real, meaningful game. It feels great to finally be here… We know when we wear that badge, we represent New Mexico. We’re really proud of that, and this is a great opportunity for all of us.”
United would dominate possession the rest of the way, creating several chances on goal. But the dagger came in the 51st minute, as Waggoner picked the ball off of Connecticut’s center back at mid-pitch and then strode the length of the half with a defender on his hip, forcing the keeper off his line. Waggoner then fired low, between the keeper’s legs for a 2-0 lead that New Mexico would not relinquish.
“In a situation like this in a tournament like this you want to get off to a good start in terms of your result, so we did that and took care of business,” said United Academy Head Coach Luke Sanford. “I think the even better silver lining is that our group knows that we could have played a lot better.”
The 2-0 lead puts New Mexico firmly in first place in GroupAof the USLAcademy Playoffs. United continue their quest for a championship tomorrow, as they take on Tampa Bay United. The top team in each group will advance to the championship match on Sunday.
November 18
Waggoner, Velasquez, Moore score as New Mexico mount furious comeback. Tampa Bay United score stoppage time winner Day Two of the USL Academy Playoffs saw New Mexico United Academy fall behind by three goals inside of 25 minutes, but the team never gave up - mounting an incredible comeback over the remaining time. Goals from Alex Waggoner, Denilson Velaquez, and a final-minute equalizer from Ivan Moore made this match a thrilling affair from start to finish. New Mexico showed true grit, emblematic of the state they represent.
The Black & Yellow got their first goal back in the 32nd minute through Waggoner - his tournament-leading third goal of the postseason - and some high press and a deflection. At the start of the second half, Velasquez got his first score of the playoffs to cut the deficit to one. Immediately following that score, United continued to press and earned five corners in succession, that included a terrific header on goal from Jamal Bynum that was tipped over the bar.
New Mexico continued to push through the second half, and they finally got their equalizer in the last minute of regular time, as Ivan Moore sent home a low shot at the far post. United thought they’d earned a crucial point, but in the resulting stoppage time, Tampa bay quickly marched down and scored on a header to take all three. New Mexico can still take the group’s top spot - and a place in the final - with a win tomorrow, and a draw or win for AC Connecticut against Tampa Bay.
November 19
Day Three of the USL Academy Playoffs saw New Mexico United Academy fall behind early and storm back for the second straight match. United, once again, never gave up, and earned a well-fought draw with Indy Eleven Academy.
Indy would record their first tally inside of 20 minutes, as a turnover on United’s back line resulted in a 19th-minute putaway and a 1-0 lead for Eleven. Just eight minutes later, Cisneros evened the score. Slotting home from close range to even the score at one.
As the first half drew to a close, a pair of penalties just minutes apart gave Indy new life. Just before halftime, Eleven turned a 1-1 score into a 3-1 advantage after converting both spot kicks. At halftime, United Head Coach Luke Sanford made two key changes bringing on forward Alex Waggoner and midfielder Andres Robles. Both would make key contributions in the comeback. A brilliant set piece delivery from Robles found its way to the foot of Dane Gallegos, just two minutes into the half. Gallegos took a touch before slotting past the keeper to bring New Mexico within one.
United continued to press, and in the 53rd minute, the equalizer came off the calm right foot of Waggoner, who slotted a perfectly-placed slow roller past the keeper, off the far post and in for his tournament- leading fourth goal and an even score. Four minutes later, Indy were reduced to 10 men for the remainder of the match, after Jamal Bynum was taken down, earning a second yellow for an Indy forward.
New Mexico continued to push, and nearly found a winner, but settled for a point in the end. They return to action tomorrow for their final match of the tournament. Opponent and kickoff time are still TBD.
About New Mexico United
New Mexico United, the state’s first professional soccer franchise, brings the most popular sport in the world home to the Land of Enchantment. Fueled by a passion for community, New Mexico United’s promise is to provide a platform that brings New Mexicans together for a unique sporting experience, celebrating the unity and excitement inherent in world-class soccer. ww.newmexicoutd.com
About New Mexico United Academy
New Mexico United Academy kicks off in 2021, and will provide the highest level of youth soccer instruction and training at no cost to any participant. Travel, equipment, training and registration are all included in scholarships provided for each participant. To learn more about our goal of providing the best possible soccer education for every New Mexican, visit somosunidosfoundation. org/academy
About USL
The USL is one of the most successful professional soccer leagues in the world, reaching a population of more than 84 million and fueling the growth of the game across North America. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the USL provides unparalleled club support with a growing team of more than 50 professionals across 17 departments, ranging from operations to marketing, communications, and sponsorship. The USL has a national media partnership with ESPN, wherein all league matches are broadcast on ESPN+, ESPN3 and across linear channels. The league also operates USL Productions, which includes a state-of-the-art facility that produces and distributes more than 500 league matches and more than 1,000 hours of original content to national partners, local affiliates and international markets throughout the 2018 season. www.usl.com