New Mexico United suffered a 0-2 defeat against Sacramento Republic FC, with both goals scored by Khori Bennett in the second half.
Sacramento Republic FC had not secured a victory at New Mexico United's home ground since 2022, making this win particularly noteworthy. According to the context of the match, Sacramento had been experiencing a slump and was eager to improve its fortunes. The 2-0 result provided them with a confidence boost and demonstrated their capability to secure challenging victories on the road. For New Mexico, the loss exacerbated their ongoing struggles, as they have not won a league match since June 21st. With only 11 matches remaining, the pressure is mounting, and their playoff hopes are becoming increasingly tenuous.
The first half highlighted New Mexico United’s defensive resilience, primarily due to Kipp Keller and goalkeeper Kris Shakes. Keller's positioning and anticipation disrupted several promising advances from Sacramento, showing his ability to handle the physical nature of the match. Meanwhile, Shakes faced multiple shots in the opening minutes and made remarkable saves to keep the score level. His leaping save in the 11th minute from what seemed like a certain goal was a standout moment that gave United hope. Despite these efforts, Sacramento eventually broke through after halftime.
Zico Bailey received a yellow card in the 19th minute for a foul on Jack Gurr, which was controversial and drew disapproval from home supporters. This forced Bailey to play cautiously for the remainder of the game. He avoided further trouble despite two additional incidents that could have led to another yellow card and an early dismissal. However, his night took a turn for the worse in the second half when an errant pass led directly to Sacramento’s second goal.
Khori Bennett emerged as the key player of the match with his decisive performance. His first goal in the 52nd minute followed an attacking move and deflection off Cristian Parano, leaving goalkeeper Kris Shakes unable to respond effectively. Bennett's second goal in the 69th minute came after he capitalized on a turnover in the box despite Keller's attempt to intervene. Throughout the match, Bennett's movement and ability to exploit space put pressure on United’s defense. After review, he was credited with both goals and named Player of the Match.
Editor's note: The original article appears on https://www.1017theteam.com/, written by Seth Biddulph.
