Tambakis comes up big as United edges Switchbacks in penalty shootout

Late drama continued to be a big part of New Mexico United's makeup Saturday night.

Fans got more than their money's worth at Isotopes Park as NMU played to a 2-2 draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC — then prevailed 3-2 in a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis came up with two dramatic saves to help NMU earn its first shootout win since 2019.

The shootout was necessary because Saturday's match was part of Jägermeister Cup group play, which awards one point apiece to teams who play to a draw and an extra point to the shootout winner. New Mexico had dropped two previous shootouts this season, one to El Paso in U.S. Open Cup play and one to Phoenix in a Jägermeister Cup contest.

United players and fans celebrated when Colorado Springs' Matt Mahoney slammed a shot off the crossbar to clinch the shootout victory for NMU. But the home team wasn't entirely satisfied after watching a second-half lead slip away.

"I'm happy we were able to get over the hump and win a shootout," United coach Dennis Sanchez said. "We needed that to happen at some point. But the reality is, we weren't at our best tonight. It probably shouldn't have come down to a shootout."

As one might expect, Tambakis was a bit more jubilant after his two diving saves gave United a leg up in the shootout.

"It's always nice. We needed the confidence," Tambakis said of the shootout. "We didn't want it to go to PKs, but it's still great to win the shootout."

A Pride on the Pitch crowd of 10,747 was treated to plenty of action in the first half. After close calls on both ends, United struck first when Luiz Fernando sent a sliding centering pass around Colorado Springs goalkeeper Christian Herrera and found the foot of Thomas Amang for a short blast into the net.

Colorado Springs answered five minutes later. Juan Tejada collected a pass in front and worked his way open for a cross-field shot into the upper left corner of NMU's goal to make it 1-1 in the 29th minute.

That score did not last long as Colorado Springs defender Garvin Metusala picked up a penalty for dragging down United's Mukwelle Akale in the box. Talen Maples slammed home the ensuing penalty kick to put the hosts back up 2-1 in the 34th minute.

United fans took extra enjoyment from Maples' score after some gamesmanship by Herrera, who strayed from his line to pick up the ball as Maples lined up for his attempt. Herrera drew a yellow card for his antics and was caught out of position when Maples ripped his shot into the left side of the goal.

But New Mexico couldn't make the lead stand up. Anthony Fontana was unmarked just inside the NMU box and slammed a shot home in the 66th minute to tie the score and ultimately force a shootout.

"Up 2-1, we just didn't capitalize on some big moments," Sanchez said. "We had chances to get a third goal, but give Colorado Springs credit for fighting back, too."

United had its way in the shootout after Tambakis made a save on the Switchbacks' first attempt. NMU's Fernando then sent his shot just over the crossbar, and both sides converted on their second and third tries to make it 2-2. But Tambakis came up with a second save before Chris Gloster drilled a shot in to put NMU up 3-2. Mahoney's shot of the crossbar then clinched the outcome.

NEXT UP: New Mexico United at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, 5 p.m., TV: KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+ (No radio)