New Mexico United will host FC Tulsa this Saturday during their annual Meow Wolf Night, continuing a homestand that has seen the team secure back-to-back wins. The club currently holds third place in the Western Conference and is looking to maintain momentum as the playoff race becomes more competitive.
This weekend’s match is the second time these teams meet this season. In their previous encounter in August, United lost 5-2 in Oklahoma. With playoff spots on the line, Saturday offers New Mexico United a chance to even the season series against Tulsa.
Midfielder Zico Bailey has played a key role for United, disrupting opponents in midfield and supporting attacks with his speed and awareness. Bailey was named Man of the Match against Detroit, and similar performance levels are expected for the upcoming game.
Greg Hurst continues to be important for United’s offense, contributing both as a scorer and playmaker. His ability to pressure defenses and finish chances is anticipated to test Tulsa’s defensive line.
Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis is close to setting a new USL Championship record for career clean sheets. After matching Evan Newton’s record of 58 clean sheets during Wednesday’s game against Detroit, Tambakis needs just one more to take sole possession of first place.
Sergio Rivas, an Albuquerque native playing midfield for United, is nearing 10,000 regular-season minutes in the USL Championship. He requires only 30 more minutes to reach this milestone, highlighting his reliability and leadership on the team.
FC Tulsa enters Saturday’s contest with balanced strengths in attack and defense. Forward Taylor Calheira leads their scoring with 11 goals this season. Goalkeeper Johan Peñaranda has contributed five clean sheets and holds a save percentage of 66.7%, providing stability at the back.
After facing Tulsa, New Mexico United will travel to California to play Monterey Bay FC on September 20 before heading to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on September 24. These matches will be important as United continues its push toward postseason qualification.
