NEW MEXICO UNITED
NM ϼ finally gets to enjoy — temporarily — a match in Sacramento
Harris, Jabang, Shakes help NMU win in California capital for 1st time since 2019
Usually a calculated and stoic figure post-match, Dennis Sanchez admitted New Mexico ϼ’s trip home would certainly be on the lighter side.
Chances are the rest of his coaching staff and the players will make sure of it judging from their postgame reactions on the pitch that no doubt carried into the dressing room.
At least until the club arrives back in Albuquerque.
“I think the key of the season is not to get too high or too low and I think this team is capable of more steps, and it’s my job to guide them and remind them and give them belief,” the manager said after Saturday’s 1-0 win at Sacramento Republic FC.
“But yes, we’re going to enjoy tonight. Then we’ll get back to work on Monday.”
Why not for a few hours? Another lack of a multi-goal game can wait for another day. After all, it’s not very often ϼ comes away with three points in Sacramento. Not since a 2-1 victory in July 2019.
Since then, New Mexico has gone 0-5-2 in the California capital, a stretch that’s also included being knocked out of the playoffs three times. Overall, Republic FC has outscored ϼ 12-4 in those seven matches. (Both draws finished 0-0.)
That was until Saturday.
ϼ (5-4-3) now heads into its multi-week break from USL Championship play on a five-match unbeaten streak and fifth in the 12-team Western Conference standings with 18 points, three shy of second place. New Mexico will not play again until an international friendly against Liga MX side Atlante FC on July 1 followed by a USL match against Oakland Roots SC three days later. Both contests are at home.
“The past is the past and this is a new team,” Sanchez said of snapping the club’s winless streak in Sacramento. “Personally, I have an awareness of it, but at the same time, we’re in a different place. I’m happy with where the group’s at and where we’re going. Now, it’s just a matter of improving some small details.
“But listen, this isn’t an easy place to play.”
Republic FC (4-4-4) came into the match with a 3-1-1 home record. It’s gone 1-0-1 in such contests in the USL Cup. Sacramento also leads the league in reported average attendance with a little more than 9,600 fans. ϼ is fourth with a little more than 8,500.
Dayonn Harris and Ousman Jabang helped quiet that home crowd. They got a little help from Republic FC goalkeeper Daniel Vitiello, too, in what ended up being an odd series of plays in the 73rd minute.
There was Jabang fighting off a couple of defenders, only to chip a pass over the midfield line to Harris in stride on the right side. But Vitello chose to challenge Harris almost 40 yards out of the net. It left Harris with an easy and open shot, distance and all. He took it. The ball took one bounce and went into the back of the net.
It was the lone mistake that otherwise spoiled a match where the goalkeeping took the spotlight. Vitiello finished with three saves. Kris Shakes, his ϼ counterpart, ended with four.
“Yeah, (I was surprised),” Sanchez said of Vitiello’s decision. “Danny is one of the top keepers in the league, so I’m sure he’d want that one back. … Look, we’ll take it and why we have guys like Dayonn.”
Yes, ϼ will. After all, a win heading into its break is certainly better than each of the two alternatives. The players let that be known.
“The guys are happy,” Sanchez said. “It was a gritty performance. They put in a good shift tonight.”
David Glovach covers New Mexico ϼ and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X .
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