Heat check: United, Phoenix Rising FC set for sizzling rematch

Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+

Saturday night figures to be a full-blown heat check for New Mexico United.

From a literal standpoint, NMU visits Phoenix Rising FC in what's expected to be a sizzling affair. Game time was pushed back 30 minutes this week to 8:30 p.m. (MDT) because temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees in the Valley of the Sun on Saturday.

From a competitive standpoint, it's a matchup of two hot teams. United has won its last two games, both on the road, by 3-0 margins and is coming off arguably its most complete performance of the season, Phoenix, meanwhile, has won three straight — including a 2-1 victory at Isotopes Park.

Is it fair to say that outcome will give United a little extra fire?

"Oh, absolutely," midfielder Gedion Zelalem said. "Every time you play a team that beat you — especially at home — you can't wait to play them again. It's gonna be hot, but I know we're really looking forward to this one."

Saturday's rematch is a Jagermeister Cup group match and won't count toward the USL Championship standings. Even so, it's a rivalry match and United coach Dennis Sanchez says his team will approach it with one objective in mind.

"There's a trophy to be won," Sanchez said of the Jagermeister Cup. "We're approaching this like we do every match, with the intention of winning."

United has bounced back impressively from its loss to Phoenix, dominating the action in wins over Orange County and Oakland. Even so, Sanchez admits that falling to Rising FC the way his team did On May 10 still leaves a sour taste. New Mexico outshot Phoenix 14-8 and held 69.7% of the possession but only put two shots on goal and played shorthanded after goalkeeper Alex Tambakis picked up a red card early in the second half.

"I honestly feel like we were a little unfortunate in that match," Sanchez said, "but both of (Rising FC's) goals scored and the red card came from transition moments. We have to do a better job controlling those moments. This is a chance to redeem ourselves."

Rising FC will be looking to snap a cold streak at its home stadium, where it has won just once this season.

HAPPY HOMECOMING: No one figures to be more excited about Saturday's matchup than the newest member of United's roster, defender Bodie Ford. After officially signing an academy contract last week, Ford made his professional debut a late second-half substitution in last week's 3-0 win at Oakland.

Ford's family resides in Queen Creek, Arizona, a suburban area southeast of Phoenix, and he expects to have numerous friends and family members at the game.

"It was awesome to get on the field for my pro debut in Oakland," Ford said, "but coming back home for this one, there's nowhere I'd rather be."

Signing an academy contract allows the 17-year-old Ford to play for NMU's first team and its academy team while retaining college eligibility. He is a member of Arizona's Barca Residence Academy and completes his high school classwork online. United's staff became aware of Ford during the club's preseason stay in Arizona and he later joined New Mexico as a preseason trialist.

"We've been impressed with him since day one," Sanchez said. "Bodie's a very mature individual who fits in well with the group and works his butt off in training. He absolutely belongs at this level and I have full confidence in him."

ONE TO GO: Last week's 3-0 win over Oakland was career shutout No. 56 for NMU goalkeeper Alex Tambakis. He needs one more to tie since-retired Evan Newton's USLC record. Tambakis has five shutouts so far this season after posting eight during the entire 2024 campaign.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New Mexico (7-3-0): United's attack has found its form of late, racking up six goals in NMU's last two outings. Who will provide the finishing touch remains anyone's guess as 10 NMU players have at least one goal in USL Championship action, including Chris Gloster, Zico Bailey and Mukwelle Akale, who all scored for the first time in last week's 3-0 win at Oakland. Injured Greg Hurst continues to lead the club in USLC goals with three, despite having not played since April 10. A reasonable pick to click this week would be Marlon Vargas, who has had an eventful season to date. Vargas leads United with 17 chances created and has two assists but his only goal came in Jagermeister Cup action versus Union Omaha. Vargas also picked up a late red card in NMU's 2-1 loss to Phoenix on May 10. McKinze Gaines netted New Mexico's goal in that match.

Phoenix (4-3-4): Winning at Isotopes Park on May 10 now looks like a turning point for Rising FC, which comes into Saturday riding a three-game winning streak. That includes a 2-0 win over Monterey Bay — Phoenix's only home victory so far this season. While Rising FC has found a winning formula, coach Pa-Modou Kah's club has not exactly been dominant. Las Vegas outshot Phoenix 20-5 and held 57% of possession Wednesday only to come away with a 1-0 loss. Still, Phoenix does have plenty of capable attackers and ranks third in the USLC with 19 goals scored. Jearl Margaritha, Remi Cabral and Hope Avayevu have scored three goals apiece. Avayevu also has four assists and 23 chances created. Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky posted a clean sheet Wednesday, but Rising FC has conceded 18 goals, third most in the league.

GOAL KICKS: Saturday's match is part of Jagermeister Cup group play and does not count toward the USLC standings. New Mexico won its group opener 2-0 over Union Omaha and is tied with San Antonio FC for first place in the Group 2 standings. San Antonio defeated Phoenix 1-0 in group play. Each team plays four group matches before the six group winners and two top runners-up advance to bracket play in the 38-team tournament.