New Mexico United Dominates Top Team in Western Conference, Beats Sacramento Republic FC 3-0
July 22, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Mexico United News Release
Albuquerque, NM - New Mexico United were dominant on Saturday night, besting Sacramento Republic FC - the top team in the Western Conference - by a convincing 3-0 margin in front of 10,813 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Goals from Harry Swartz in the first half and Amando Moreno and Nicky Hernandez in the second half paced the Black & Yellow, who extended their unbeaten streak to five matches.
The first half was dominated by United in possession and pace of play, but despite creating several chances, United approached halftime without a goal to show for it. Until Moreno cut along the byline and fired a pass that was just behind Swartz. The Needham, Massachusetts-native turned and fired off the right foot for the first goal of the match, just before the break.
11 minutes into the second half, it was Moreno's turn to get a goal for himself. The El Salvador National took a pass from Sergio Rivas near the top of the box, took two touches on his left foot, and fired through Danny Vitiello's legs for his team-best sixth goal of the season. Two minutes later, Moreno nearly scored again, but was stonewalled by Vitiello twice.
It took just one more minute for New Mexico to earn their third goal. Daniel Bruce fired from close range, but the shot was blocked up and out toward Hernandez, who first-time volleyed off the right foot to the near post and through Vitiello for a 3-0 score that United would not relinquish.
In the 8th minute of tonight's match, Josh Suggs became just the fifth player in USL Championship history - and strangely, the third of the evening - to reach 20,000 career minutes played.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 22, 2023
- New Mexico United Dominates Top Team in Western Conference, Beats Sacramento Republic FC 3-0 - New Mexico United
- OCSC Defeats Memphis 901 FC 4-3 - Orange County SC
- Bryce Jamison's First USL Championship Goal of 2023 Sees OCSC Ahead of Memphis in a Seven Goal Thriller - Orange County SC
- Lights FC Closes Homestand by Hosting Hartford Athletic - Las Vegas Lights FC
- San Antonio FC Falls 0-1 Against the Miami FC - San Antonio FC
- New Mexico United Dominates Top Team in Western Conference, Beats Sacramento Republic FC 3-0 - New Mexico United
- Oakland Wins Second Straight Road Game 3-1 - Oakland Roots
- Palma, Williams, Avila Put Three Past Hounds in Commanding Battery Victory - Charleston Battery
- Oakland Wins Second Straight Road Game 3-1 - Oakland Roots
- LouCity Drops a Third Straight Game on Late Birmingham Goal - Louisville City FC
- Republic FC Blanked by New Mexico United - Sacramento Republic FC
- Monterey Bay F.C. Stalls on the Road Against Detroit City FC - Monterey Bay FC
- Memphis 901 FC Falls to Orange County SC 4-3 in Interconference Matchup - Memphis 901 FC
- Rowdies Earn a Point in Indy - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Hounds' Long Unbeaten Run Comes to End - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Streak Ends with Charleston Setback - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Quinn Becomes USLC Minutes Leader, Martinez Plays in 100th Match - Indy Eleven
- San Antonio FC Injury Report - San Antonio FC
- Indy Eleven Claims 2023 W League Title in Extra Time Against NC Courage U23 - USL
- Indy Eleven Wins USL W League Final in Front of Record-Setting Crowd - Indy Eleven
- Oakland Head to Texas for Battle in El Paso - Oakland Roots
- Detroit City FC Looking to Ride Momentum Wave into Strong Showing against Monterey Bay FC - Detroit City FC
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.
Other Recent New Mexico United Stories
- New Mexico United Draws with Birmingham, Extends Lead Atop West to 6 Points
- The Ball Is Back: The Somos Unidos Foundation Launches Year Three of Annual Gala
- On the Road to El Paso - New Mexico & Rich Ford United to Host Bus Trip for Away Match at Locomotive FC
- New Mexico United Remains Perfect at Home, Beats Orange County in Front Largest Crowd in USL this Season
- New Mexico United Tops Colorado Springs to Extend Lead Atop Western Conference