United looks to stay focused against Oakland
It’ll be third game in eight days for New Mexico squad
What to do for an encore. That’s the quandary New Mexico United faces Saturday night when it hosts Oakland Roots SC.
United fans are still buzzing over Wednesday’s 4-2 upset win over MLS Real Salt Lake in U.S. Open Cup play. The good vibes are almost certainly still present in NMU’s locker room, too.
But coach Eric Quill and his players know they have to put the Open Cup excitement to rest or Saturday’s USL Championship Western Conference matchup could be problematic. Roots SC has not lost in three previous trips to Albuquerque and would like nothing better than to keep that streak intact.
“We have to turn the page,” Quill said. “Three games in eight days is definitely a challenge and (Wednesday’s win) was emotional. But these guys are professionals and they know how to prepare themselves. We’ll be ready to go.”
Quill would be more than satisfied to see United perform as it did against Real Salt Lake. NMU was sharp on both ends and largely had the better of things despite a considerable possession deficit (RSL held 64%).
“In every phase of the game, we were excellent,” Quill said.
Saturday’s challenge will be different. Oakland (2-5-2) has struggled of late, winning just once in its last seven USLC outings. But Roots SC earned a draw with Western Conference
contender San Antonio in its last outing and is looking to build momentum. A road win at Isotopes Park, where Oakland is 1-0-2 all time, could provide the spark the visitors need.
“We know Oakland has quality,” Quill said. “It’s important that we focus on us and play up to our level, no matter who the opponent is.”
United is 5-2-1 in USLC play and comes into Saturday in second place in the Western Conference standings, trailing only Sacramento. It’s been an impressive start for New Mexico, which has overcome various injuries while playing six of its first eight league matches on the road — four in the Eastern time zone.
Quill has juggled his lineup effectively, getting contributions from a variety of players. That includes defender Abdi Mohamed, who signed a 25-day contract just last week, and midfielder Jackson DuBois, who is playing on an academy contract.
United has also gotten remarkable performances from its bench. Jacobo Reyes was the latest to make a lategame impact, scoring what proved to be a clinching fourth goal Wednesday after coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute.
“Our bench has been amazing all year long, in every game,” Quill said. “These guys, they raise the level of the game. And that’s all I can ask for — to not keep the game the same, or drop the level, but to bring the intensity, and bring the life back to us.”
Nicky Hernandez, who has played both as a starter and a substitute this season, agreed.
“This team has firepower, starters and the bench,” he said. “Whoever is out there, just keep scoring goals. That’s the plan.”
Hernandez, who scored United’s third goal during first-half stoppage time, does not believe NMU will suffer a letdown against Oakland, particularly not in front of its home fans.
“We have two days to prepare,” he said. “This team has the right personality to step up, focus and get it done. We’ll be ready to go.”