First-place showdown: United hosts conference-leading Monterey Bay FC

Wednesday, 7 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+

It may be just a random Wednesday match in April, but Monterey Bay FC at New Mexico United is worth circling on this year’s calendar.

After all, first place in the USL Championship Western Conference is at stake.

Monterey Bay (4-1-2) has been the conference’s surprise team thus far in 2025, rising to the top of the standings after missing the playoffs to conclude a disappointing 2024 campaign. Early or not, MBFC has made its presence felt, posting some of the league’s best numbers on both offense and defense and rolling into Albuquerque on a six-game unbeaten streak.

“They’re a really organized group, solid across the board,” United coach Dennis Sanchez said. “They’re confident and aggressive like us, they don’t give up a lot and I think we’ll be facing a different kind of challenge at home than we have to this point.”

New Mexico (4-1-0) has its own four-game winning streak in USLC play, but needs to shake off a disappointing result in last week’s U.S. Open Cup contest against El Paso. NMU conceded a tying goal late in stoppage time and ultimately lost a penalty kick shootout.

“That’s the question, how do you bounce back?’ NMU forward Marlon Vargas said. “We’re going against a really good team and I feel like we have a confident mentality. It’s been a good week of training and I feel like we’re ready to get back on track.”

New Mexico and Monterey Bay have statistical similarities, both ranking near the top in terms of defense. NMU has conceded a league-low four goals in five games, while MBFC has allowed five in seven matches. Each team has posted three clean sheets.

Both sides also have been at their best in the second half of games. Six of United’s seven USLC goals have come after halftime, while nine of Monterey Bay’s 11 goals have come after intermission.

Perhaps more significant, both teams have been finding ways to earn points. Monterey Bay can stay atop the standings with a win or a draw, while New Mexico can move into first place with a win. All things considered, it’s a Wednesday match in April that could have consequences come October.

“All games have equal value,” Sanchez said, “but to me this one has more mental value. We have a lot of respect for Monterey Bay. They’re the group at the top of the Western Conference right now, and we want to make our mark at the top of the table.”

TAMBAKIS RETURNS: United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis is back with the club after missing last week’s U.S. Open Cup match for important international duties. Tambakis returned to Greece last week to be with his wife for the birth of their second child, a daughter.

“He’s back and he’s the proud father of a second child,” Sanchez said. “Mother and daughter are healthy, everyone’s happy, and it was the right decision for Tambi to be there by her side for the birth. Now he’s back and ready to go.”

Tambakis posted three consecutive clean sheets in his last three appearances — all 1-0 New Mexico wins.

PUPS ON THE PITCH: Dogs will be welcome at Wednesday’s match, with a pregame parade around the ballpark scheduled at part of the evening’s promotion. United players will enter the field escorting dogs available for adoption, and watering stations will be available during the game on the right field berm.

Fans can enter with only one dog, which must remain on leash. Dogs must also have a $5 ticket, proceeds of which will benefit local shelters. Fans bringing dogs must show proof of updated rabies vaccinations and sit in the berm area during the game. Dogs will not be allowed in stadium seating areas.

Players to watch

Monterey Bay (4-1-2): It’s fair to say Monterey Bay has been the USL Championship’s biggest surprise thus far in 2025. After sputtering through 2024 and going 1-7-4 under midseason coaching hire Jordan Stewart, MBFC rebuilt its roster and has been impressive on both sides of the ball. Ilijah Paul Gindiri has paced the attack (3 goals, 2 assists, 10 shots), but Monterey has effectively shared the wealth. Adrian Rebollar, Anton Sojberg and Mayele Malango have scored two goals apiece. Sojberg, in his first USLC season after playing in Iceland, also has two assists, nine shots and a team-high eight chances created. MBFC has been every bit as solid defensively, conceding just five goals. Goalkeeper Nico Campuzano has been busy and leads the league with 22 saves. Defenders Carlos Guzman and Nico Gordon have also excelled.

New Mexico (4-1-0): United has had a week to move on after watching a late lead slip away versus El Paso and getting knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup field. NMU was not at full strength without leading scorer Greg Hurst or top goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, but was in position to win before allowing an equalizer late in stoppage time. New Mexico will have a chance to atone against USLC Western Conference leader Monterey Bay, but will need to crack one of the league’s stingiest defenses. Hurst (3 goals, 9 shots) figures to return, and he’ll look for finishing help from Marlon Vargas (2 assists, 9 chances created), Mukwelle Akale (2 assists, 6 chances created) and McKinze Gaines (1 goal, 1 assist). Tambakis is expected back to anchor a defense that’s allowed a league-low four goals and has posted three straight clean sheets.

GOAL KICKS: Thomas Amang is still getting his feet wet with New Mexico but his physical play is making a difference, particularly on set pieces. Amang officially has six minutes of USLC action, with a goal scored on two shots. … Home cooking has been decisive in previous meetings between NMU and MBFC. United is 3-0-0 at Isotopes Park but 0-2-1 at Cardinale Stadium. … New Mexico has largely thrived on late goals this season, but no team has been better in the final 45 minutes than Monterey Bay. In its first seven matches, MBFC has scored nine second-half goals and allowed just one — both USLC-leading totals.