Know Your Opponent – Western Conference Quarterfinals: New Mexico United
October 19, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
After 34 matches, the postseason is finally here. In the first round, Sacramento will take on New Mexico United at Heart Health Park for a spot in the Western Conference Semis. The two clubs played a pair of tight matches in the regular season, and Saturday’s contest should be no different with the season on the line. Get to know Sacramento’s first round opponent ahead of the start of the 2022 USL Championship Playoffs, Presented by Hisense.
New Mexico’s Recent Form
United closed the regular season strong, putting together a five match unbeaten streak culminating in victories in their final two fixtures. Wednesday, they bested LA Galaxy II, and Saturday, they came from behind to best Colorado Springs. The results give them a lot of confidence coming into Sacramento, especially with the offensive potency they showed in the season’s final week amidst a congested schedule.
Midfielder Harry Swartz carried his club through the final week of the season, and figures to be a significant part of the clubs match plan. He claimed Player of the Week Honors in Week 32 after helping his club secure a playoff berth Wednesday and netting his first career brace in a comeback victory Saturday.
How They Got Here
The club was among the steadiest in USL this season, staying over the line in the Western Conference for seemingly the entire campaign. Unlike previous seasons, however, the club was better on the road than at home, dropping points away from Albuquerque just three times. That road success was a major reason they stayed above the crowd fighting for the final few spots in the Western Conference – and it’ll likely be a factor Saturday at a tough place for visitors to play in Heart Health Park.
Their record on the season does contain one blemish; through 34 league matches, only three times did the club best an opponent who qualified for the postseason. One of those victories came against a Rio Grande Valley side mired in what became an eight-game winless streak, while the other two came against Oakland Roots on June 15 and Colorado Springs in the regular season finale.
SACvNM This Season
The two sides faced off twice this season in league play. On May 4, the pair split points at Heart Health Park, with New Mexico catching a break late when Sacramento missed a penalty that could’ve put the game away. In August, the Albuquerque side took advantage of a mistake early in the second half to go up 1-0, but Republic FC responded. Rodrigo Lopez netted two assists in a come-from-behind win for the club that ended 2-1 in favor of the Quails.
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