Hurst's late strike gives United 1-0 win over El Paso in home opener

Saturday turned out to be an exercise in patience at Isotopes Park.

For New Mexico United and an announced crowd of 11,005 fans, patience eventually paid off.

Greg Hurst blasted in his third goal of the young season in the 83rd minute and it proved to be enough as United pulled out a 1-0 victory over rival El Paso Locomotive FC in New Mexico’s home opener.

NMU (2-1-0) had to bide its time against a packed-in El Paso defense, while fans had to wait — perhaps less patiently — for a scoring breakthrough. Fittingly, Hurst had to cool his jets for a moment before unleashing his right-footed rocket into the back of Locomotive FC’s net.

The winning goal came after United midfielder Mukwelle Akale weaved his way into the penalty area from the right wing. After drawing two defenders his way, Akale laid a crossing pass off to Hurst for a one-timer that got the home fans rocking.

“You have to tell yourself to wait,” Hurst said, “and hope the ball comes to you at the right time. It’s all about spacing in the box. I was hoping Kwelle would come back to me. Thankfully he did with a great ball.”

Hurst’s goal combined with a clean sheet from NMU goalkeeper Alex Tambakis made a winner of first-year United coach Dennis Sanchez in his first home match. Sanchez was all smiles afterward, chatting with fans and players and enjoying a win in what turned out to be a defensive struggle.

“Not a lot of chances,” Sanchez said, “but when we got one, Greg made the most of it. I thought our guys did a good job forcing (the Locos) to adapt to us. It’s not easy to break down a team crowding the low box.”

The 1-0 result suited New Mexico and its fans just fine, even if it wasn’t what many would have expected. El Paso (0-1-2) came into Saturday leading the USL Championship with six goals scored, while NMU was fifth with four goals to its credit.

But thoughts of a high-scoring shootout dissipated quickly when the Locos backed into a defensive shell early. United spent most of the first half working the ball around, hoping to find a crack but finding few openings.

United had a 2-0 shot advantage at halftime without a serious threat to score.

“It’s tough,” Tambakis said. “I didn’t even have one shot come to me in the first half. But you know you have to stay ready. Sometimes one save is the difference and you never know when it’s coming.”

Tambakis, who became the 13th USLC player to rack up 20,000 minutes played on Saturday, had to work harder in the second half.

El Paso opened up its attack after intermission and managed to send some balls into dangerous areas, including a transition opportunity by former NMU standout Amando Moreno that rolled across United’s box after Tambakis came off his line to force the action.

United’s crosses and set pieces seemed a bit off throughout the match, and El Paso finished with a 6-5 shot edge despite 62% possession by the home side. Still, New Mexico cashed in when it counted, as Akale picked up his second assist of the season on Hurst’s third goal.

“You have to know when to be selfish and when not to be selfish,” Sanchez said of the decisive play. “Kwelle had an opportunity to shoot but he did a great job to find Greg for a great finish. Staying patient was a big part of it.”

United improved to 7-5-6 in 18 regular and postseason matches against its archrival.

New Mexico has a 27-24 edge in goals scored over those contests.

There was a lengthy delay late in the match when NMU’s Tomas Pondeca went down with a left shoulder injury and left the field on a stretcher.

Pondeca was back afterward with his arm in a sling, however, celebrating with his teammates.