New Mexico United is set to play Sacramento Republic FC this Saturday night at The Lab in Albuquerque. The match is significant for both teams as they compete for postseason positions in the USL Championship Western Conference. New Mexico United currently holds seventh place in the standings and enters the game following a strong showing against Louisville.
This meeting marks the second time these two teams face each other this season. In their previous encounter in March, Sacramento secured a 2-1 win at home. With playoff implications at stake, New Mexico aims to level the season series and defend its home ground.
Key players for New Mexico include goalkeeper Kris Shakes, who recently kept a clean sheet against one of the league's top teams, and defender Will Seymore, noted for his composure and leadership on defense. "Goalkeeper Kris Shakes has stepped up in a big way for United, showcasing sharp shot-stopping skills and strong command of the box. Coming off a clean sheet against one of the USL Championship’s top teams, Shakes will be a key figure once again as United looks to contain Sacramento’s disciplined attack."
"Defender Will Seymore remains a crucial part of United’s back line. Renowned for his composure and intelligent positioning, Seymore provides veteran leadership and consistency, while also playing a key role in transitioning the ball out of the defensive third."
Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis is close to matching Evan Newton's all-time regular season record of 52 career shutouts; Tambakis currently has 51. Midfielder Sergio Rivas is nearing 10,000 regular season minutes played.
On the opposing side, Sacramento Republic FC comes into Albuquerque ranked third in the conference. Their defense has allowed fewer goals than any other team in the league this season, led by goalkeeper Danny Vitiello with eight clean sheets so far. Forward Russell Cicerone leads Sacramento's offense with five goals and three assists.
Following Saturday’s fixture, New Mexico United will travel to Texas to face San Antonio FC on September 6 before returning home on September 10 to play Detroit City FC at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.
