Sports stats



USL New Mexico United

New Mexico United Academy Tops Atlanta United Academy, 4-1, in Day One of the Somos Unidos Cup

August 12, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Mexico United News Release


Day One of the inaugural Somos Unidos Cup, presented by Clark's Pets Emporium, was as exciting as it was meaningful, as four of the top soccer academies in North America came together at the First Financial Training Center in Albuquerque. The New Mexico United Academy took on the Atlanta United Academy in the nightcap - charging back with four unanswered goals, after Atlanta scored first.

"I'm really proud of the effort that the guys put in," said United Academy Head Coach Luke Sanford. "I thought they came out aggressive, and they didn't show any fear, which I think is the most important thing. That's what we talked about leading up to this - just playing, being ourselves, and true to ourselves, and being the aggressor."

Atlanta United Academy got on the board first in this match, as Owen Barnett found his way behind the defense on the left side and side-footed home a through ball for the 1-0 lead in the 30th minute. That lead would last just ten minutes, though, as New Mexico's Denilson Velasquez evened the score on the stroke of halftime, tapping home a through ball of his own for an even score at the midpoint of the match.

Then, the flood gates opened. As New Mexico's Aaron Cisneros gave United a lead they wouldn't relinquish, and Jace Sais doubled it, giving the Black & Yellow a two-goal margin via goals in the 52nd and 53rd minute, respectively. 14 minutes later, Cole Lobitz sealed the deal with his first goal of the tournament in the 67th minute, for a final score of 4-1 over their MLS Academy foes.

Earlier in the day, Liga MX's Monterrey Rayados earned a 2-0 victory over Colorado Rapids Academy in the tournament's opening match.

The victories for New Mexico and Monterrey Rayados set up an exciting Day Two of the tournament on Saturday. The first match - scheduled for 3:30 PM MT - will feature the two clubs that lost on Day One. If Atlanta United wins that match, New Mexico will be playing for the Somos Unidos Cup title when they take on Monterrey Rayados in the 6:00 nightcap. The reverse will be true if Colorado Rapids Academy wins the early match, as Rayados will then have the chance to clinch the title. Mixed results in those matches will set up a Championship Sunday, as Monterrey Rayados and Atlanta United will face off at 9:00 AM MT, and New Mexico United and Colorado Rapids will battle at 11:00 AM.

To learn more about the New Mexico United academy, please visit: https://www.somosunidosfoundation.org/academy

Check out the New Mexico United Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 12, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central