Revamped United aims for second-half surge

Wednesday, 6 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: CBS Sports Network (English); Estrella (Spanish). No streaming.

It felt like a moment to celebrate — but then again ...

New Mexico United's dramatic late rally in San Antonio on Saturday was certainly entertaining and left a sweet taste in fans' mouths. United scored twice in stoppage time to erase a 2-0 deficit and then won a penalty shootout (3-0) in a Jägermeister Cup group match.

United made a statement, rallying against San Antonio FC, which currently sits atop the USL Championship Western Conference standings, and took much of the buzz out of SAFC fans at Toyota Field. The momentum only figures to help as United returns to USLC play Wednesday in a nationally televised road match against Hartford Athletic.

On the other hand, Saturday's inspiring comeback wasn't enough. San Antonio (3-0-1) finished on top of the group standings and advanced to the Jägermeister Cup knockout round. United (1-0-3 in cup matches) did not advance.

"There were two sides to that coin," United coach Dennis Sanchez conceded Tuesday. "Obviously, we were disappointed that we didn't move on to the quarterfinals, but it wasn't just this match that stopped us. We dropped points (in group matches) against Phoenix and Colorado Springs, too, so Saturday was just part of the big picture."

The other side of the coin was considerably shinier. With a revamped lineup that included new addition Valentin Noel and returning attackers Dayonn Harris and Greg Hurst, United demonstrated some late burst against one of its top USLC Western Conference rivals. It bodes well as New Mexico opens the second half of its 30-game league season Wednesday.

"We need to do better early in matches and set the tone," Sanchez said, "but that was a really good comeback. Getting Greg back in the mix, Dayonn getting healthy and adding Valentin Noel is going to breed more internal competition within our group. That's only going to make us better, so I think we feel pretty good about things moving forward."

Noel, who was acquired Friday from Las Vegas Lights FC, joined United in San Antonio on Saturday and came on as a late substitute despite not having any training time with his new team. Noel made an immediate impact, scoring United's initial goal, but his long-term importance could be even more significant, Sanchez said.

"We spent a lot of time together last season (when Sanchez coached Lights FC) and he knows my system well," Sanchez said. "Now that he's training with us, he can really start building relationships with our guys, which is a step-by-step process. But we could see that potential on the field Saturday night. He fit in very quickly."

United remains in a quiet portion of its schedule and will have nine days between matches after Wednesday's contest. That only adds importance to the matchup against Hartford Athletic (3-8-4), which comes in at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

"Hartford's record is not what they want," Sanchez said, "but they've really challenged the top teams in the league and could easily have several more wins. They have some dynamic strikers in (Michee) Ngalina and (Mamadou) Dieng, and they're really effective on crosses and set pieces."

Playing its second road match in four days, New Mexico figures to lean on its bench, but Sanchez says he'd prefer to avoid any more late-game drama — even if it is a nationally televised match.

PENALTY KING: With no more Jägermeister or U.S. Open matches on its horizon, United will not engage in any penalty shootouts unless one becomes necessary in a postseason match. That's unhappy news for defender Talen Maples, who has excelled on penalties this season. Maples has three PK goals in USLC matches and is 8-for-9 from the spot overall this season.

Is he satisfied with that percentage? Not necessarily.

"I missed one against Phoenix," Maples said. "I've lost some sleep over that one."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New Mexico (8-6-1): The cast has changed on United's attacking end with the addition of midfielder Valentin Noel from Las Vegas and the returns of forwards Greg Hurst and Dayonn Harris from injury. Noel, who had yet to train with his new club, scored as a late substitute in Saturday's 2-2 draw at San Antonio. Harris, making his first appearance since Aug. 3, 2024, netted the equalizer in stoppage time — also coming on as a second-half sub. Harris, who suffered an ACL tear last season, provides speed and burst from the wing. Hurst, who recently returned after three months on the injured list, also brings speed and excels in transition situations. Adding Noel, who had 11 goals and 7 assists last season, Harris and Hurst to an attacking group with Mukwelle Akale, Luiz Fernando and Marlon Vargas could significantly boost United's scoring punch.

Hartford (3-8-4): It's been a quiet season on the attacking end for Hartford Athletic, which ranks 21st in the USL Championship with 15 goals scored. There's no lack of firepower up front with the likes of Kyle Edwards (5 goals), Mamadou Dieng (4 goals, 24 shots) and former Golden Boot winner Michee Ngalina, but Hartford ranks near the bottom of the league in shots (23rd with 145) and possession (23rd in passes with 4,975 — 2,844 fewer than New Mexico). Still, after a dismal start Hartford has recently shown some signs of life, going 2-1-1 in its last four games. Emmanuel Samadia has been effective setting up his teammates in front, leading the USLC in crosses with 119 and posting a club-best 25 chances created. Goalkeeper Antony Siaha (37 saves) anchors Hartford's defense and has played every minute in USLC competition.

GOAL KICKS: Defender Kalen Ryden's was a surprise addition to Saturday's active roster as he continues to rehab from a broken clavicle suffered June 14 at Lexington. Ryden, NMU's co-captain, is progressing quickly but he's not yet cleared for contact or game action. "We decided to bring Kalen on the trip for moral support and leadership more than anything," United coach Dennis Sanchez said. "We're looking forward to getting him back soon, but he makes a difference off the field and in the locker room even when he doesn't play."