Revamped United faces key battle with Republic FC

Sacramento Republic FC at New Mexico United, 7 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+

New Mexico United and Sacramento Republic FC have already squared off in one season-opener in 2025.

Saturday's rematch at Isotopes Park might feel like another.

Three recent additions to United's roster will make their first home appearances when Republic comes to Albuquerque for a USL Championship Western Conference showdown. Defender Kipp Keller and forward Luther Archiméde made their NMU debuts on the road last week in Louisville. Midfielder Carlos Moguel Jr. has not suited up for United yet.

Keller, Archiméde and Moguel are not the only recent additions for New Mexico, which has effectively restructured its lineup for the regular season's final stretch. Midfielder Valentin Noel will play just his second home match for NMU, while veterans Greg Hurst, Dayonn Harris and Kalen Ryden have recently returned from lengthy injury absences.

Coach Dennis Sanchez smiled when asked about the tidal wave of player turnover.

"It's crazy to say this time of year, but we're still trying to figure out who we are as a club," Sanchez said. "We've essentially added six new players in the last few weeks, and we've had three straight first-time starting lineups. But I honestly like the position we're in now. I feel like we've got the pieces we need to put a strong run together."

Saturday's matchup presents a stiff test. Sacramento (8-5-7) arrives in second place in the Western Conference standings with 31 points while NMU (8-8-3) sits in seventh place with 27 points and has played one fewer match. If the playoffs started this week, Republic would host United in the opening round.

But with 11 games left on its schedule, New Mexico has ample opportunity to improve its playoff standing, and the club's three newest additions say they're ready to aid the cause.

"This is my team now," Keller said. "I'm here to win and play the absolute best I can. It's been an easy group to come in and be part of — just the energy and competitiveness. Everyone wants to win."

Saturday's match will be more than a home debut for Archiméde, who played for Sacramento in 2022-23. He's played at Isotopes Park before but only as a member of the opposing team.

"It will be different," Archiméde said of Saturday's match. "It will be nice to see some familiar faces (with Republic FC), but I'm with New Mexico United now. Everyone has been welcoming and this team has such potential. I'm excited to come here and I want to contribute."

Perhaps no one is looking forward to Saturday's match than the 22-year-old Moguel, who endured a strange final week with his previous side, Louisville City FC. Moguel, who came up through Lou City's academy program and has been with the club since he was 16, learned prior to last week's match that he would be shipped to New Mexico on loan for the rest of the season. He watched the teams battle to a 0-0 draw from the stands.

"I was with my family and it was weird," Moguel said. "I was saying 'we' for both teams and just trying to picture myself playing for New Mexico. After a while I realized that we play Sacramento next and Louisville has a similar shape, so I started really dissecting both teams to prepare mentally."

After hearing Moguel's response, Keller asked him, "Who were you rooting for?"

Moguel grinned and said, "I was not cheering for Louisville."

As far as preparing for Sacramento goes, Sanchez said he's spent more time this week trying to make his own revamped club cohesive than on studying Republic FC's tendencies. Sacramento won the teams' previous matchup 2-1 in Northern California, but that contest was on March 8 — nearly six months ago.

"Obviously things have changed for both sides," Sanchez said. "We've paid more attention to Sacramento's recent games than to what happened in the first match of the season. But the truth is, we're focused more on us, trying to catch the new guys up to speed and to figure out what our strengths are now. I feel like last week was a good start for us, now we need to build on that."

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' NIGHT: The first 2,000 fans to enter Saturday's match will receive complimentary Indigenous Peoples' Night flags designed by local artist Sokwa. Special t-shirts honoring the occasion also will be available for purchase on the stadium concourse. More than 10,000 fans are expected for Saturday's match with gates set to open at 5:30 p.m.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sacramento (8-5-7): United hasn't seen Republic FC since its season-opener way back on March 8, but Sacramento's roster still has plenty of familiar faces. Veteran goalkeeper Danny Vitiello may be the most noteworthy as he comes into the week with a league-best eight clean sheets and having played every minute of USLC competition this season. Sacramento is tied for the league lead with just 17 goals conceded, and Vitiello is flanked by a solid back line that includes versatile defender Jack Gurr, who ranks second in the USLC with 127 crosses. Republic FC has quality up front as well, including five-goal scorers Russell Cicerone and Cristian Parano and dangerous playmaker Rodrigo Lopez (3 goals, 4 assists, 22 chances created). As usual, Sacramento features a direct, physical style. Republic's 314 fouls conceded rank fifth in the league.

New Mexico (8-8-3): Oddly enough, United fans will have at least three new players to watch as forward Luther Archiméde, defender Kipp Keller and midfielder Carlos Moguel Jr. make their first home appearances at Isotopes Park. NMU has been scrambling to strengthen its roster with late-season acquisitions and player loans as the club battles for a playoff position. Keller made a strong first impression in his debut last week, playing a full match in United's 0-0 draw at Louisville — the USLC's highest-scoring team. NMU's back line had struggled in previous matches but may be turning a corner with the return of co-captains Kalen Ryden and Talen Maples. Ryden returned to action vs. Louisville after missing two months with a broken clavicle. Maples served a one-game suspension last week after receiving a red card versus Las Vegas.

GOAL KICKS: Thanks to recent lineup juggling, New Mexico's club lead for minutes played this season is up for grabs. Maples leads the way with 1,551 minutes followed closely by Mukwelle Akale (1,549). Jaylin Lindsey (1,430) is third. Valentin Noel has played the most minutes (1,790) overall, but most of that time came with Las Vegas Lights FC. ... The USLC's top two clubs in terms of home attendance will square off Saturday. NMU ranks first at 10,141 fans per home match, followed by Sacramento (9,567), Louisville (9,370) and Indy (8,845). Lou City drew 10,719 fans for last week's match versus New Mexico.