ESPN 101.7 "THE TEAM" reported that New Mexico United suffered a 1–2 defeat against Charleston Battery, attributed to two second-half goals from set-piece situations.
The match took place at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, also known as "The Lab," and was characterized by an intense playoff-like atmosphere. According to ESPN Radio 101.7 "THE TEAM," the game experienced a delay of over an hour due to inclement weather but still attracted a crowd of 11,072 fans. The report said that both teams played with high energy and physicality once the match resumed, with early fouls setting the tone for a tightly contested encounter.
According to the same article, Charleston Battery scored both goals in the second half through extended set-piece plays. The first goal occurred in the 48th minute following a deflected corner, while the second was headed home by Rubio Rubin in the 67th minute after a deep free kick into the box. These goals underscored New Mexico United’s ongoing struggle to defend dead-ball scenarios, a weakness noted in previous match analyses.
Talen Maples was New Mexico United’s sole goal-scorer, converting a penalty in the 63rd minute after Daniel Bruce was fouled inside the box. Maples maintained composure under pressure, leveling the score at 1–1 before Charleston regained the lead just four minutes later. Despite this goal and a late chance that hit the crossbar during stoppage time, United could not capitalize further and ultimately fell short.
According to the official New Mexico United website, the club was founded in 2018 and competes in the USL Championship, which is considered the second tier of U.S. professional soccer. The team hosts its home matches at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque and is recognized for its strong local support and community engagement initiatives.
Editor's note: The original article appears on https://www.1017theteam.com/, written by Seth Biddulph.
