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Back on top: Jabang's goal gives United fourth consecutive 1-0 victory
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New Mexico United fans are starting to sense a trend.
Ousman Jabang netted his first goal with NMU and that was all it took for United to come away with a 1-0 win over Monterey Bay FC at Isotopes Park on Wednesday night.
Sound familiar? It should.
New Mexico won its fifth straight USL Championship match, each of the last four coming by 1-0 margins. The victory moved NMU into a first-place tie with San Antonio FC atop the USLC Western Conference standings.
United (5-1-0) certainly had its chances to tack on another goal or two, outshooting the visitors 12-6 (5-0 in shots on target). But any win over Monterey Bay (4-2-2), which entered Wednesday alone in first place, was plenty satisfying for the hosts.
“Anytime you can get a clean sheet, it’s fine with me,” United defender and captain Kalen Ryden said. “Winning 1-nil is not the easiest and probably not the prettiest, but at the end of the day it’s a win and that’s what matters.”
NMU coach Dennis Sanchez had similar sentiments about his team’s knack taking 1-0 wins.
“I’ll take ‘em,” he said. “It was important for us to bounce back from what we felt was a disappointing showing and I felt like we did that. These guys are so close to having a two-, three-, four-goal game, but credit to Monterey for keeping it close tonight.”
United did manage to shake off last week’s late breakdown against El Paso in U.S. Open Cup play — a potential win that slipped away with a stoppage time goal and was decided in Locomotive FC’s favor in a penalty kick shootout.
Jabang provided the needed shot in the arm, banging home a low shot in the 30th minute to give United a 1-0 lead.
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His blast provided the one notable difference in Wednesday’s 1-0 result over NMU’s previous three, all of which were decided by late second-half goals.
“I’ve been waiting for that one,” Jabang said. “It’s my first professional goal (in three seasons), too, so it feels really good to finally get one. My wife’s been telling me, ‘It’s coming, it’s coming.’ I’m glad it finally did.”
Jabang’s goal was set up on a New Mexico corner kick as Marlon Vargas attempted to serve a ball in front to teammate Jalin Lindsey. The ball instead hit a MBFC defender and rebounded to Jabang, who promptly put it past Monterey goalkeeper Nico Campuzano.
“A lot of times goals are all about being in the right place at the right time,” Jabang said with a smile.
Jabang’s goal prevented New Mexico from lamenting what might have been, as the home team failed to capitalize on several golden scoring chances. Luiz Fernando fired wide of an open net in the 66th minute, and McKinze Gaines hit an open chance right into the arms of Campuzano.
Still, NMU was satisfied to post a fourth straight USLC shutout in front of goalkeeper Alex Tambakis. New Mexico has conceded a league-low four goals this season.
“These guys are evolving as the season goes on,” Sanchez said. “Not allowing a shot on goal all night is a credit to the way they’re communicating and staying organized.”
Jabang added that seeing New Mexico on top of the conference standings makes the win that much sweeter.
“Definitely,” he said. “It’s not something we’ll go home and stare at, but it’s nice. Everyone wants to be in first place.”
New Mexico will remain at home Saturday for its first-ever Jagermeister Cup match. NMU will host USL League One power Union Omaha at 7 p.m. at Isotopes Park.
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