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USL New Mexico United

New Mexico United Beat FC Tulsa by a 2-1 Score in Front of More Than 10,000 Fans

August 26, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Mexico United News Release


New Mexico United were defensively stout, and launched 17 shots in a 2-1 home victory over FC Tulsa on Saturday night, moving them just three points behind Phoenix Rising and El Paso Locomotive FC for the eight-seed in the USL Championship Western Conference. They victory came in front of an electric crowd of 10,130 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.

United got the scoring started early as Harry Swartz intercepted a Tulsa pass in the middle of the pitch, and dished out wide to Zico Bailey. Bailey took a touch and curled a ball into the box that found Swartz, who took one touch with the right foot and shot over his own shoulder for a spectacular goal in just the second minute of the match.

The start was the first for Bailey in Black & Yellow, and he wasted no time making his presence felt - earning the assist just one minute and forty-seven seconds into his first start, the quickest player to do so in club history. His contributions would not end there, though.

In the second minute of first half stoppage time, Santi Moar took the ball in space, just inside the attacking half, and played a low ball toward Bailey, who wisely let the ball run through his legs, drawing defenders in, and getting the ball to a wide open Jacobo Reyes. Reyes one-timed the ball into the box where Albuquerque native Sergio Rivas headed home for his second goal in as many matches, and a 2-0 lead for United just before the half.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kalen Ryden was massive - historically so - for the Black & Yellow. The center back finished with 10 clearances, 4 interceptions, 90% passing accuracy, and 4 blocks for one of the strongest defensive performances in the history of the club.

Tulsa would get a late consolation goal, but United defended as a unit to see out the victory. New Mexico return to play on Wednesday night, taking on Las Vegas Lights FC at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Kick-off is slated for 7 PM.

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