What to know before Wednesday's match: United needs to cash in versus struggling Las Vegas

Ken Sickenger Ken Sickenger Ken Sickenger Journal Staff Writer

Published August 29, 2023 - 9:41 p.m. Modified August 29, 2023 - 9:46 p.m.

Wednesday, 7 p.m., 101.7 FM, ESPN+ (streaming), Estrella TV

New Mexico United cannot afford to look past Wednesday’s home match versus Las Vegas Lights FC.

Still hovering three points below the USL Championship’s Western Conference playoff line, New Mexico (9-10-5) hosts struggling Las Vegas with an opportunity to climb the ladder. With a win, NMU would pull even with idle eighth-place El Paso and could catch seventh-place Phoenix, which hosts first-place Sacramento on Wednesday.

If ever there was a time for New Mexico to take care of business …

“You’re only as good as your next match,” said United coach Eric Quill, whose team snapped a five-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over FC Tulsa on Saturday.

“We’ve got to get that second win and start to find that consistency, get in the playoff mix and get the best seed possible. This is a great opportunity for us.”

Looking at the bigger picture, it’s an opportunity United can’t afford to miss. With nine games left in the regular season, NMU faces eight foes currently in playoff positions. Last-place Las Vegas (2-15-8) is the exception.

New Mexico has at times shown itself capable of standing up against top-flight opponents, but Quill’s team also has been maddeningly prone to playing down to the level of struggling foes. United lost to Eastern Conference cellar-dwelling Hartford and conceded a late goal to settle for a 2-2 draw in its previous matchup with Las Vegas.

Quill is well aware the challenging closing schedule United faces, but he’s more concerned about his team’s form and mindset than he is about future opponents.

“The message is we’re every bit as good as anybody in this league,” he said. “I truly believe that. … If you’re trending in the right direction and you’ve got confidence behind you, I don’t see anybody that should scare us.”

Here are five key factors for Wednesday’s match at Isotopes Park.

Letting it fly

Don’t look for Lights FC to spend much time trying to break down United’s defense. Las Vegas ranks second in the USLC in shot attempts with 362 (United has 273) and second to last in passes.

Accuracy is another matter. Las Vegas also ranks second to last in goals scored (24) and is dead last in conversion rate at 9% (United is at 18%).

New blood

United newcomers Zico Bailey, Jacobo Reyes and Shanyder Borgelin made their presence felt against Tulsa, creating a number of scoring opportunities and combining for two assists. Bailey made his first start with NMU and smiled when asked about playing at Isotopes Park.

“I’d heard about the crowd here,” he said, “but they kind of surprised me with how loud and energetic they were. It was exciting. I enjoyed it.”

Getting nasty

Defender Kalen Ryden posted a strong individual outing against Tulsa (11 clearances, 4 interceptions, 6 of 7 duels won). He ranks second in the USLC in clearances but wants to see a more consistent mean streak from NMU’s defense.

“That’s just a mentality switch,” he said. “(Against Tulsa) we just really made that a message to dig in and be just nasty in our defensive third and don’t let balls in the box.”

Beasts of the East

Wednesday’s match is United’s last at home against a Western Conference opponent. Six of NMU’s last eight games are against Eastern Conference foes — all of them currently above the playoff line.

Familiar faces

Lights FC features two players who started the season with United: forward Josh Dolling and defender Timothie Zali. Both have seen consistent playing time since moving to Las Vegas. Dolling set an NMU club record with three assists in a game against Orange County. He has not posted one since.

Players to watch

Las Vegas (2-15-8): Lights FC’s unsightly record is not surprising considering its statistical rankings. Las Vegas has the second-fewest goals scored (24) in the USL Championship and the third-most allowed (45). Its lack of team success, however, does not equate to a lack of individual talent, as several players have put together solid seasons. Forward Andrew Carleton is particularly dangerous on the attacking end with 49 shots and 39 chances created to go with a pair of goals. As one might guess, Lights FC does not have a go-to finisher as Pato Botello Faz leads the club with four goals scored. Former New Mexico United forward Preston Tabort Etaka netted five goals for Las Vegas before being traded to Birmingham on Aug. 22. Primary goalkeeper Alan Diaz has 46 saves but Lights FC has a league-low two clean sheets.

New Mexico (9-10-5): United coach Eric Quill continues to shuffle his rotation, accounting for new players, injuries and looking for a consistent spark. NMU appeared to find some cohesiveness in its 2-1 win over FC Tulsa on Saturday when newcomers Jacobo Reyes and Zico Bailey chipped in with well-executed assists and the offense produced several other quality scoring chances. Playmaking midfielder Justin Portillo continues to thrive in Quill’s system and has climbed to seventh in the USLC with 39 chances created. Versatile Harry Swartz also remains a key component for NMU. Swartz moved to right back Saturday for the first time this season and contributed a goal along with a tackle, an interception and eight duels won. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis has been climbing the league’s saves list and now ranks sixth with 69.

NOTEWORTHY: Despite drawing 10,130 for Saturday’s match, New Mexico slipped to third in USLC home attendance last week at 9,781 per match. NMU drew 7,081 for last Wednesday’s rain-soaked match versus Oakland. Meanwhile, Sacramento drew the largest crowd in the league this season (20,231) for Saturday’s match with Orange County, raising its average to 10,525. Louisville (10,430) ranks second.