New Mexico United looks to rebound in tough test at San Antonio

It’s really a simple formula for success: Score more goals and allow fewer.

For New Mexico United, checking those two obvious boxes is an easy way to rebound at San Antonio on Saturday after a loss in the USL Championship season opener last week.

“I think where we can continue to evolve is really kind of desire, mentality, our ability to score goals,” United coach Dennis Sanchez said. “I think we've had over 35 shots in the last two games, and we need to continue to create better opportunities, and at the same time, even though we're giving up limited opportunities, to really just take away the easy goals that we're giving up.”

New Mexico (0-1-0) is coming off a harder-than-expected, 3-2 win Wednesday in the opening round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after Cristian Nava’s game-winner in the 89th minute.

It’s the type of win that can really charge up a team, said defender Chris Gloster

“It instills even more belief that we've already had, even when it's not the prettiest football that we know we can play,” he said. “I think being able to get those types of wins against teams like that, who just come here and will sit back, try to waste time and things like that, and we were still able to scratch out a win. I mean, it's a huge confidence booster.”’

San Antonio (1-0-1) handily won its Open Cup game 6-0 on Wednesday and played to a scoreless draw with Tulsa in its last league game.

“There's no doubt that it's going to be a difficult match,” Sanchez said. “It's going to be warm. San Antonio also played (Wednesday), but they were home, so there's just going to be a level of adaptability and we have to continue to rely on the entire roster to go in there and get three points.”

United also is opening the season with road trips to Oakland and San Antonio, sandwiched around the Open Cup match at home. But, Sanchez said, New Mexico should have more than enough depth so that fatigue is not an issue.

“I think that having a group full of starting players allows for flexibility from our side,” he said. “There's guys that we're going to have to continue to manage, especially with three games in a week, guys that have picked up little knocks here and there, but have we full, full confidence that whoever steps in is going to get the job done.”

The team is coming together quickly, Gloster said

“We’re definitely trending in the right direction,” he said. “Obviously, we didn't get the result we wanted to against Oakland, but then we came out and got a win in Open Cup, and just like coach said, I think we're playing the right ways. Ideas are right. We're getting into good spaces to create goal-scoring opportunities. Now it's just about, the final step and putting those away and making sure that we can take the lead early on and start the game right.”

San Antonio has added more offensive punch since last season, Sanchez said, but looks to be versatile in the attack — similar to United.

“They're a good team. I mean, they're not far removed from winning a championship (2022) and being one of the better clubs within USL,” the coach said. “We know every time we play them, it's going to be a dog fight. And I think that what I see from them, especially early on, is similar to us. They want to be the protagonist, as well.”