One is enough: Shorthanded United edges Colorado Springs Switchbacks

New Mexico United’s defense was put to a rather extreme test Saturday night in Colorado Springs — and passed with flying colors.

Despite playing a man down for nearly 30 minutes, United battled its way to a 1-0 road victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field. Mukwelle Akale netted the lone tally in the eighth minute, providing just enough for NMU to stretch its current unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1).

United also had to break a pair of lengthy streaks to come away with three points. The Switchbacks had been 7-0-1 at home since April, while New Mexico had not recorded a shutout since July 3 — a span of seven games.

In fact, NMU’s defense had been a bit leaky of late, conceding six goals over the club’s last three matches. There were no leaks in evidence for United’s back line Saturday night.

“That one had everything,” United coach Eric Quill said, “injuries, a tough red card and the guys just fought through it. It really was all-hands-on-deck and the guys earned the win. I’m really proud of them right now.”

New Mexico goalkeeper Alex Tambakis earned his 50th career clean sheet with an impressive performance, recording a pair of dazzling saves in the second half. He finished with three on the night, while United racked up 33 clearances as it was forced to play long stretches of defense after midfielder Zico Bailey was shown a red card (the result of two yellows) in the 71st minute.

“Alex was terrific,” Quill said. “It was a great moment for him to get his 50th shutout. He made some huge saves.”

The gritty win, United’s first at Weidner Field since 2021, allowed NMU to maintain its lead atop the USL Championship Western Conference standings. And after relying on an offense that scored nine goals in its previous three games, NMU turned to defense to prevail over the rival Switchbacks.

Fittingly, defense set up the lone goal of the evening as NMU’s Marco Micaletto pressured Colorado Springs’ Matthew Mahoney into an ill-advised pass toward goalkeeper Christian Herrera in the eighth minute. Akale stepped in front, made a quick move past Herrera toward the end line just left of the goal and rolled a crossing shot into the net for a 1-0 lead.

It was Akale’s third goal of the USLC season and second in as many games. He had a goal and an assist in last week’s 3-2 win over Monterey Bay.

“Mukwelle’s feeling it confidence-wise,” Quill said. “The guy works so hard and that was not an easy goal from that angle. He really gave us an early boost and we needed it.”

United had its chances to stretch the lead but had some quality shots either blocked or sailed them wide of the target. The 1-0 margin appeared narrow when Bailey picked up his second yellow card and was sent off in the second half, but New Mexico’s defense was up to the challenge.

Tambakis came up with perhaps the biggest save of the night in second-half stoppage time, getting his hands on a point-blank try by the Switchbacks’ Justin Dhillon to turn the ball aside.

United remains on the road next week, taking on Oakland Roots SC in a 4 p.m. contest on Saturday, Aug. 31.