United finally doubles up in 2-0 win over Union Omaha

Just when it started to feel like New Mexico United was going to walk away with yet another 1-0 win …

Marlon Vargas put away a nifty goal three minutes into stoppage time and NMU altered its favored script with a 2-0 victory over Union Omaha at Isotopes Park on Saturday night.

Talen Maples also banged home a first-half penalty and NMU grabbed a win in its first round of Jägermeister Cup group play.

Satisfying, yes, but it could have been easier. New Mexico outshot its USL League One foes 18-12 and had 66.7% of the possession. More eye-popping was United’s 12-2 advantage in shots on target, several of them golden chances that did not end up in the net.

A second goal proved remarkably hard to come by, to the frustration of United coach Dennis Sanchez, his players and an announced crowd of 9,495. A combination of impressive saves by Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu and a few too many shots either misfired or directed right into Nuhu’s arms had a fifth 1-0 United win this season starting to feel almost inevitable.

“I hope it doesn’t feel like that,” Maples said. “We’re doing everything we can to get another goal. But winning isn’t easy and we’re not naïve to that. If it has to be 1-nil, we’re okay with that as long as we have the one.”

Vargas was as frustrated as anyone after coming up empty on some transition opportunities. He finally broke the ice and gave NMU a clincher, taking a feed from Mukwelle Akale and working around Nuhu for an open shot into the net in the third minute of stoppage time.

“Patience,” Vargas said, shaking his head. “We had to be very patient. It’s very frustrating with the ball’s not going in on high-percentage chances — and we had great chances. I’m glad it finally paid off.”

Sanchez said he was happy to see Vargas rewarded for an active, sometimes unlucky performance Saturday. He was relieved to see a second goal finally get past Nuhu, as well.

“Yeah, you hope for it to be a little earlier,” Sanchez said, “but we’ll take it. A lot of times in that situation, the other team finds a goal. I wish we could have put a few more away but shutouts are always positive and it’s a credit to the guys that they keep finding a way.”

Union Omaha, which came into the match 2-0-1 all time against USL Championship competition, very nearly netted the first goal Saturday night. Former United midfielder Chelo Martinez came up with a loose ball near midfield and caught NMU goalkeeper Alex Tambakis out of position with a 35-yard blast. The ball bounded off the right post.United had few good scoring chances early but drew a penalty when Vargas was taken down attempting to collect a cross in the Omaha box. Maples sent the resulting kick into the right lower corner, just out of the reach of a diving Nuhu.

NMU goalkeeper Alex Tambakis recorded his fifth clean sheet of the season, despite having to make just two saves.

Ken Sickenger covers UNM women’s basketball, volleyball and more for the Journal. Contact him at ksickenger@abqjournal.com.