Show stopper: Shakes crucial save sparks United's playoff push

Sunday, 4 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: CBS Sports Network, KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+

Technically, Kris Shakes didn't rise to the occasion. It was more of a perfectly timed dive.

New Mexico United's goalkeeper came up with a huge stop at a critical moment Wednesday, changing the trajectory of his team's 2-1 road victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and perhaps his team's postseason hopes.

Shakes kept Yosuke Hanya's penalty kick out of the net in the 57th minute, keeping his team out of what would have been a 2-0 hole. Two late goals later, United had a key win and moved up two notches to third place in the USL Championship Western Conference standings with five games remaining. The first of those comes Sunday at 4 p.m., when NMU hosts Lexington SC in another critical, nationally televised match.

New Mexico and Lexington are among seven teams battling for the final six Western Conference playoff spots. Lexington entered the weekend in fifth place with 35 points and could overtake United (37 points) with a win Sunday.

Still, NMU might have found itself in a much tougher spot without Shakes' game-changing play in Colorado Springs.

"That might have turned the season, to be honest," said Armando Quezada, assistant coach and director of goalkeeping efficiency for United. "Shakes has such good instincts and was so engaged, he was totally ready for that moment. It gave the whole team a big lift."

Shakes, 24, has made the most of what could have been a touchy situation since taking over as United's primary goalkeeper in August. He's started all but one match since in place of veteran Alex Tambakis — the USLC's career leader in saves and co-leader in shutouts.

Instead of sparking internal discord, the move has put New Mexico in a strong position, Quezada said. While Shakes has proven himself to be a top-level stopper, Tambakis remains a strong option, exemplified by his performance in a 4-0 win over Detroit City on Sept. 10.

"It's almost easy working with these two guys," said Quezada, a former college and professional goalkeeper who played for USLC San Antonio FC among other clubs. "Alex has played like 300 games and there's not a lot he hasn't seen, and Shakes is at a place where he brings the energy for us. They both support each other and they give us two really good options. We're in a good position with our goalkeepers."

Both goalkeepers have proven capable of making the big play when needed. Tambakis has posted six clean sheets this season and stopped back-to-back penalty kicks in Jagermeister Cup shootout against San Antonio. Shakes has three clean sheets to his credit, but his overall performance in Wednesday's win ranks among his best to date — particularly the PK save on Hanya.

"We look at the tendencies of individual shooters," Quezada said, "and we had anticipated (Hanya) going the other way. Shakes just felt something, decided to go to his left and timed it perfectly. That was all Shakes."

New Mexico ranks fourth in the USLC with nine combined clean sheets, but just 14th in goals conceded with 33. The latter number may be a bit deceiving as nine of those goals came in back-to-back road losses to Hartford and Tulsa in late July and early August. Shakes and Tambakis each started one of those forgettable performances.

United's defense excelled since, allowing just seven goals in eight games — an encouraging sign as NMU pushes for a top-four finish and a home playoff game. But New Mexico's back line also has been beset by recent injuries, with center backs Kalen Ryden and Kipp Keller missing time.

On Sunday, United faces a Lexington club that's been even more stingy defensively and has two stout goalkeepers of its own in Logan Ketterer and Brooks Thompson. Lexington has conceded just four goals over its past seven games.

Quezada admits he's looking forward to the matchup.

"Yeah, this one is like a playoff game and they just get bigger from here," he said. "But we feel like our group is starting to peak at a perfect time. When guys step up and make plays like Shakes did (Wednesday) night, that just builds confidence and momentum."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lexington (9-8-8): It's been an extended hot streak for Lexington of late, with defense setting the tone. Coach Terry Boss' club has gone 5-1-1 in its last seven games and conceded just four goals over that span with three clean sheets. Lexington has employed goalkeepers Logan Ketterer and Brooks Thompson with largely equal success. Each has four shutouts, with Ketterer posting one more save (25) than Thompson (24). Lexington's stingy defense has been enough to propel it solidly into playoff contention despite a relatively quiet offense that ranks 19th in the USL Championship with 27 goals scored. Forster Ajago (6 goals) and Cory Burke (4) have been the most consistent finishers, and Kieran Sargeant leads the club with 5 assists and 32 chances created. Veteran Marcus Epps (3 goals, 3 assists) remains a consistent threat.

New Mexico (11-10-4): Coming off its first come-from-behind win of the season in USLC play, United carries some momentum into Sunday's key Western Conference match. NMU's lineup has been in near-constant flux because of injuries and personnel moves, and such could be the case again against Lexington after defender Kipp Keller limped off with an apparent hamstring injury versus Colorado Springs. Coach Dennis Sanchez was hopeful that forwards Luther Archiméde and Thomas Amang could be available after spending Wednesday's match in concussion protocol. Two players have been heavily involved of late are midfielders Zico Bailey and Sergio Rivas, who have quietly helped to spark United's 3-1-1 run in September. Each has 19 chances created this season and they've provided steady play on the defensive end.

GOAL KICKS: New Mexico and Lexington are just two points apart in the Western Conference standings entering Sunday, but both have drastically improved their playoff chances recently. USLChampionship.com projects United to finish third and rates its playoff chances at 90%. Lexington is projected to finish fourth with 89% playoff odds. ... New Mexico continues to lead the USLC in home attendance at 9,822 fans per game, with three other clubs in close pursuit: Sacramento averages 9,710 per game, Louisville is at 9,474, and Indy is at 9,023. Lexington ranks 16th at 4,391 per home game.