Subs save the day as United settles for 1-1 draw with Monterey Bay

New Mexico United was late punching the clock Saturday night in Northern California.

Almost too late.

Luther Archiméde headed home an equalizing goal in the 87th minute and United escaped with a 1-1 draw with host Monterey Bay FC. New Mexico was on the attack for the final 15 minutes of regulation and stoppage time, threatening to salvage a win after spending much of the night on its collective back foot.

Archiméde was among several late substitutes that gave United a spark and nearly turned a sluggish performance into a stirring win. Still, New Mexico lost ground in the ever-so-tight USL Championship Western Division standings, slipping from third place to fifth after Lexington and San Antonio picked up wins Saturday night.

As one might expect, United coach Dennis Sanchez had mixed feelings about the contest.

“We came in wanting all the points,” he said, “but at the same time we knew it wouldn’t be an easy match. I loved the fight late and coming away with a point on the road is a good result, but I think we all feel like we could’ve gotten more.”

United, now 0-2-2 all time at Cardinale Stadium, outshot the home team 8-3 from the 74th minute on but was unable to put any real pressure on MBFC goalkeeper Nico Campuzano for the first 73 minutes. NMU had a pair of early shots blocked in front, then went nearly 70 minutes without managing a shot.

Monterey Bay was more aggressive during that span and broke through in the 49th minute when Xavi Gnaulati banged a rebound shot past NMU goalkeeper Kris Shakes for a 1-0 lead.

“For a lot of the night I thought we were pretty poor with the ball,” Sanchez said. “We were not good on the attack, tried to score right away and ended up giving the ball up and sending (MBFC) out in transition.”

Sergio Rivas finally broke United’s shot drought with a long blast that Campuzano deflected off the left post. But the tide really started to turn when Sanchez sent substitutes Archiméde, Mukwelle Akale and Thomas Amang into the game. United’s attack found a new sense of urgency and ultimately capitalized in the 87th minute.

Akale set things up with a hard strike that was blocked into the air in front of the MBFC goal. Archiméde and Amang collided as both attempted to head the ball home, and both went down after Archiméde sent his second goal of the season into the net.

“They both showed their character giving themselves up,” Sanchez said. “It was a good goal and they’re both okay, so all’s well that ends well.”

Monterey Bay finished with a 13-10 shots advantage (4-3 in shots on target), but New Mexico was able to take some momentum from its strong finish. The club will stay in Monterey until Tuesday preparing for a Wednesday road match at Colorado Springs.