New Mexico United drew 3-3 with Oakland Roots SC after a high-scoring first half featuring three penalties and late drama in Albuquerque. The announcement was made by ESPN Albuquerque 101.7 "The Team."
According to the report, New Mexico United and Oakland Roots SC played a chaotic first half featuring five goals and three penalties, with each team converting from the spot. United struck first through Mukwelle Akale in the 13th minute, but Oakland answered quickly via a Peter Wilson penalty after Gagi Margvelashvili drew the foul. Another United tally and a second Wilson penalty sent it to halftime at 3–2.
Key figures drove the drama: Akale scored the opener and later drew a penalty that Talen Maples buried for United’s third. Oakland’s Peter Wilson, chasing the Golden Boot, converted two penalties and consistently got in behind the defense. United also benefitted from an own goal by Neveal Hackshaw to briefly lead 2–1.
United had chances to finish it off but couldn’t: Akale lifted a near tap-in over the bar in the 71st, and Luther Archimède missed from close range in the 81st. Those misses proved costly when Margvelashvili smashed in the 82nd-minute equalizer after a Wilson layoff at a corner. In stoppage time, Akale chose to shoot rather than square for Archimède on a break and missed wide, sealing the 3–3 draw.
The result keeps United’s six-match unbeaten run alive but complicates their push for the No. 2 seed. United hosts Rhode Island FC at The Lab on Friday, October 25, at 7 p.m., needing a win and for Sacramento Republic to drop at least four more points this week. Attendance was reported as 8,756, and Mukwelle Akale earned Player of the Match for his goal and winning of a penalty.
Editor's note: The original article appears on https://www.1017theteam.com/, written by Seth Biddulph.
