PLAYERS TO WATCH New Mexico (9-3-7):
It’s pretty safe to assume that goalkeeper Alex Tambakis will be in the lineup for his 150th career USL Championship appearance. Since returning from an earlyseason injury, Tambakis has been rock-solid for NMU, which has conceded more than one goal just once. Tambakis has 41 saves in 2022 and ranks second in USLC regular-season history with 443 for his career. (El Paso’s Evan Newton has 530.) Predicting who will start along United’s front line is trickier as coach Zach Prince enjoys mixing and matching. Recent signee Romario Williams could make his debut after a week of training.
Chris Wehan and Amando Moreno (injuries) are close to returning.
Detroit (9-4-7): Defense is the calling card for Le Rouge, and two players have been iron men for the first-year USLC club. Goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher and defender Deklan Wynne have started every match and were nominated for the league’s midseason all-star honors. Steinwascher ranks third with 53 saves (18 goals allowed) and has seven clean sheets. Wynne is solid defensively and gets involved in the attack, posting six assists and 21 chances created. Forward Antoine Hoppenot (5 goals, 4 assists, 114 crosses, 44 chances created) is the top playmaker, but Detroit has not scored more than one goal in a match since May 21.
NOTEWORTHY: Detroit City, which moved up from the National Independent Soccer Association this season, may not have a storied history. But its home venue, Keyworth Stadium, does. It was opened in 1936 for a campaign speech by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. John F. Kennedy also campaigned there in 1960. The stadium was revamped for soccer in 2016 when Detroit City FC made its debut in the National Premier Soccer League. DCFC ranks fifth in USLC attendance at 5,625 per home match.