Struggling United suffers 2-0 loss at the hands of Sacramento for a second consecutive setback
New Mexico United endured a tough night on Saturday, falling 2-0 to Sacramento Republic FC. The defeat marks the seventh straight match without a win for the team, a streak that dates back to June 21.
The match, attended by 9,752 fans, saw Sacramento finish with a 9-6 edge in total shots. United, on the other hand, managed only one shot on goal, maintaining the trend of poor offensive performance. The second half saw Republic finding holes in United's defense, resulting in two goals. The first was scored by Bennett in the 52nd minute, and the second followed in the 70th minute after a turnover deep in United's own end.
Coach Dennis Sanchez expressed disappointment with the team's performance, stating, "We need to step up and make plays. We've been struggling offensively, and it's time for us to find our form."
The match was a defensive battle for United, who kept things conservative early against Sacramento, pressing only occasionally and keeping defenders behind the ball. However, despite holding 61% of the possession, United struggled to convert opportunities. The expected-goals total for United was 0.2, indicating a low likelihood of scoring.
The first half was a scoreless affair for United, with the team managing only one shot (not on target). The closest United came to scoring was near the end of the match, when Dayonn Harris attempted a shot, but it was not enough to break the deadlock.
With the loss, New Mexico United slipped into the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. Despite the disappointing result, Sanchez considered the playoff position as good news, as the team still has control of its destiny.
Looking ahead, Sanchez may make changes to the lineup for the next game against San Antonio FC, as the team looks to turn its fortunes around. The search for a new coach who can lead United to victory continues, with the team yet to win a USL Championship game since June 21.
