High production: United caps big week with win over Monterey Bay

Now that’s a productive week.

New Mexico United completed a grueling three-games-in-seven-days stretch in style Saturday night with a 3-2 win over Monterey Bay FC at Isotopes Park. United went 2-0-1 during the week and extended its lead atop the USL Championship Western Conference to seven points over second-place Sacramento and Memphis.

NMU scored nine goals over the three games — the first time in club history it has scored three goals in three consecutive games. United (14-6-3) also picked up its 14th win of the season, one more than it has managed in any previous campaign.

“It’s a good feeling,” United coach Eric Quill said. “It’s good being seven points clear in the standings — and I’m glad three games in seven days is over.”

Mukwelle Akale, Jacobo Reyes and Kalen Ryden found the net for New Mexico on Saturday as the hosts snapped a four-game home winless streak (0-2-2).

“We came out to get the W tonight, no matter what,” Akale said. “We hadn’t won here in a while and that’s all it was about tonight. We didn’t care if it was 4-0 or a hard-fought 3-2, it was just about getting the W.”

It was a big night for Akale, who finished with a goal and an assist, while Reyes found the net for a second straight game.

“Akale is a guy who works so hard,” Quill said. “And Jacobo is in top form and really played physical tonight. I’m proud of those guys.”

For the second match in a row, New Mexico came out firing early. It took a bit longer to pay dividends, but Akale first earned a free kick, then hammered it into the left-side net cords from just outside the box for his second USLC goal of the season.

“I practice those things all week,” Akale said with a smile. “I feel like I deserve it. And now we have a week off, so I get a chance to enjoy it.”

United, which needed just three minutes to score in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw with FC Tulsa, went ahead 1-0 in the 12th minute Saturday. Reyes made it 2-0 for NMU in the 28th minute. His third goal of the USLC season was set up by a well-placed Sergio Rivas serve, which Reyes banged past MBFC goalkeeper Antony Siaha.

Monterey Bay got one back in the 34th minute on a well-executed cross from Morey Doner that found a charging Alex Dixon for a tap-in. United had several more close calls in the half’s closing minutes but took a 2-1 lead to intermission.

“I felt like we played well in the first half and we had a lead,” Quill said. “I told the guys if we just pass the ball around in the second half, (MBFC) will eventually come out of their shell. When they do, we’ll take advantage.”

It took a while but New Mexico kept pressing and was finally rewarded in the 78th minute. Akale served in a perfectly placed corner kick, and Ryden was in position to head it home for a 3-1 lead. NMU has often struggled to score on set pieces this season but came away with two such goals Saturday.

“Giving ourselves a two-goal cushion was huge,” Ryden said. “We’ve played so many tight ones, it was nice to have that extra margin. I feel like with this offense, we should be scoring three goals a game.”

Monterey Bay made it interesting late, getting an open blast from Alex Dixon at the top of the box in the 87th minute. But United was able to turn away every late attempt by MBFC (7-11-6) and avenge an early season 1-0 loss in Monterey, California.

“I hate giving up two goals,” Quill said, “but overall I’m really happy with the football we played tonight. Scoring nine goals this week gives us something to feel good about, too. That should build confidence going forward.”

12 photos from NM United's triumph over Monterey Bay FC