New Mexico United Travels to Take on Orange County SC
USL New Mexico United

New Mexico United Travels to Take on Orange County SC

Published on April 3, 2026 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Mexico United News Release


Albuquerque - New Mexico United heads to California for the second time in one month to take on Orange County SC. The last time these two teams met was on a cold November night in Albuquerque that saw Dayonn Harris score a game winner with just seconds to go in the match to send New Mexico United to their first Western Conference Final in team history. New Mexico looks to add to their 5-2-4 (W-L-D) all time record over Orange County Saturday night at the Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California.

New Mexico has had good fortune in Orange County having an overall record of 2-1-2 (W-L-D) all time at Championship Soccer Stadium. United has outscored Orange County 7-4 in the teams five meetings in Irvine. New Mexico United looks to make it two matches in a row in league play with a win on Saturday in California.

Players to Watch: Kris Shakes and Dayonn Harris

Key to this match up for the Black and Yellow will be Goalkeeper Kris Shakes and Midfielder Dayonn Harris. Shakes showed his heroics in United's last visit to Irvine. Shakes who was the back up keeper at the time started that match in place of Alex Tambakis and did not disappoint. Shakes ended the match with a clean sheet and multiple amazing saves including one with his face that made the rounds on social media but more importantly kept Orange County off the board. Shakes this year in three starts has made 13 saves including an amazing performance against San Antonio FC earlier this year.

Dayonn Harris has shown his craftiness early in the 2026 season nabbing a goal and an assist in his Pepsi Man of the Match efforts last weekend in a 3-2 victory against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. In his start in the U.S. Open Cup this past Wednesday Harris gave United their best chance of the match with a shot from the left side of the box that just curled right and out for a goal kick. His pace early on the season has resulted in multiple scoring chances for the Black and Yellow early on.

Scouting the Opponent: Orange County SC

Orange County SC has started the season off on the right foot picking up points in every league match they have played this season having a record of 2-0-2 (W-L-D) across four matches. Danny Stone has shown that his Orange County side who upset Sacramento Republic last year in the playoffs are looking to make a run at the club's second USL Championship title in 2026. Ousmane Sylla was a key force in the two teams last meeting in the playoffs. Sylla played all 90 minutes in that match adding an assist, shot on goal, an 86% Accurate Pass rate well creating four chances. Sylla has not factored much this season for Orange County but can change a game at a moments notice.

Where to Watch:

TV: NM50 and Estrella TV

Streaming: ESPN+ and KRQE.com

Radio: No radio coverage for this match on 101.7 The Team

Match Previews are powered by Eezee Fiber.

Check out the New Mexico United Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 3, 2026


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