New Mexico United secured a 2-1 victory over Lexington SC in a match disrupted by two lightning stoppages and marked by early offensive pressure.
According to ESPN Radio 101.7 "The Team," New Mexico United displayed intensity from the outset despite a nearly two-hour weather delay. Their aggressive pressing and purposeful ball movement paid off early, with Marlon Vargas scoring in the 7th minute following a sharp attacking sequence. Just two minutes later, Talen Maples doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Greg Hurst was fouled inside the box. Within the opening 10 minutes, United had already established a commanding 2-0 advantage.
Lexington faced significant challenges before halftime, not only due to the scoreline but also discipline issues. Daniel Wu's foul on Hurst in the 38th minute resulted in a straight red card, reducing his team to 10 men. Forced into a defensive posture, Lexington dropped players behind the ball to slow United’s attack but struggled to create momentum of their own. The first half concluded with Lexington at both a numerical and tactical disadvantage.
Despite having an extra player, United lost some sharpness in the second half and failed to capitalize on their advantage. Lexington gradually worked back into the game, finding opportunities as United's pressure waned. Marcus Epps scored in the 64th minute to narrow the deficit to 2-1, making the closing stages more tense than United would have preferred.
The night was characterized by delays, with lightning halting play twice and extending the match beyond its scheduled finish. The second stoppage occurred at 89:28, just before regulation time ended, resulting in a pause of nearly two hours. When play resumed, only 32 seconds of regulation and eight minutes of stoppage time remained; however, neither side altered the scoreline. United held on for a 2-1 victory in front of 8,439 fans, solidifying their position in third place in the Western Conference.
Editor's note: The original article appears on https://www.1017theteam.com/, written by Seth Biddulph.
