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Ouch! Own goal forces United to settle for 1-1 draw with Switchbacks
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It could have been worse, but New Mexico United certainly had better results in mind on Saturday night.
United had the better of things for most of the evening at Isotopes Park, only to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw with visiting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
The sources of New Mexico’s frustration? An unlucky own goal that squared the match late in the first half — followed by a packed-in, low block defense employed by Colorado Springs in the second half.
The Switchbacks, who attempted just two shots after halftime, appeared more than content to go home with one point. United was less satisfied with the outcome.
“I think we’re all disappointed,” NMU forward McKinze Gaines said, “not with the effort we showed but with the result. A 1-1 draw is not terrible but we definitely wanted more.”
Marlon Vargas, who gave United a 1-0 lead with a low rocket into the net, agreed.
“Yeah, it’s tough,” Vargas said. “I thought we were playing well before (the Switchbacks) scored, but I don’t think (the equalizing own goal) is why we tied. We definitely had chances and as a front four, our job is to put those shots away. It’s tough to break through a low block, but I look at myself and think I could have done better.”
New Mexico (7-3-1) outshot the defending USLC champions 11-9 overall and held 65% of the possession. But United struggled to connect on crosses and lobs over the top of the Switchbacks’ low block and finished with just one shot on target. Colorado Springs managed just two.
“I don’t know if we deserved three points, but three points were definitely on the table tonight,” United coach Dennis Sanchez said. “I know we came away with a point but the group and I have high standards. We expect to get three points every time out, so we’re not satisfied.”
Things started well for New Mexico, which controlled the action for most of the first 30 minutes and fired up a crowd of 9,862 when Vargas sent a blast into the net. Mukwelle Akale started the buildup with a pass from the right wing, which Gaines then directed back to Vargas.
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“It felt good to get one for the fans,” Vargas said.
But United’s momentum appeared to wane after the goal, as Colorado Springs began to apply steady pressure. The visitors forced six corner kicks in the first half and ultimately got a break when a United defender Kalen Ryden redirected a centering pass into the goal in the 41st minute.
“There are always things that happen before those moments,” Sanchez said. “We needed to put more pressure on the ball and stop some of those runs. Overall, I thought Kalen played a great game for us.”
New Mexico had a few golden chances to break the deadlock in the second half. Unfortunately for the hosts, an apparent goal by Gaines was waved off for an offside call — one of six called on NMU in the match — and Ousman Jabang later banged an open shot off the left post, raising his hands to his face in frustration afterward.
Colorado Springs, which came into the game 0-6-0 at Isotopes Park, appeared satisfied with its sixth draw of the season. The Switchbacks rarely pushed into NMU’s defensive end after halftime and did not pose a serious scoring threat.
United goes back on the road next week, facing first-year Lexington SC at 5 p.m. on Saturday. New Mexico then returns home for three straight matches.
