CHARLESTON BATTERY AT NEW MEXICO UNITED
PLAYERS TO WATCH United (5-5-2):
Midfielder Micheal Azira was the man of the hour in Friday’s 3-1 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, scoring the go-ahead goal on a header early in second-half stoppage time. Azira did not start the match but came on when Sam Hamilton suffered a leg injury in the first half. Azira’s first goal with United capped a strong performance, and he is likely to see additional playing time against Charleston, a team he helped win a USL Championship title in 2012. Midfielder Sergio Rivas leads United in goals (three) and shots (12).
Charleston (3-3-3): The Battery’s attack has been shorthanded of late with key scorers Zeiko Lewis (Bermuda national team) and Stavros Zarokostas (injury) out. The two are tied for the club lead with two goals and 10 shots. That has left forward Nicque Daley as the top remaining scorer with two goals this season, but Geobel Perez came up with a goal and three shots in last week’s 1-1 draw with Pittsburgh. Charleston goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky has faced considerable pressure with 24 saves and 12 goals conceded in his eight appearances.
NOTEWORTHY
New Mexico United continues to rank second in USL Championship average home attendance this season. Friday’s crowd of 9.728 pushed NMU’s average to 8,545, which trails only Louisville City FC (9,472). Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (6,016) ranks third. … As of Sunday afternoon, roughly 6,000 tickets had been sold for Monday night’s match. … Midfielder Harry Swartz missed Friday’s match with a what was termed a lower body injury. No status updates on Swartz or Hamilton were available Sunday.