New Mexico United moved into fifth place in the Western Conference with victory against El Paso Locomotive FC in front of a crowd of 13,521 at Isotopes Park.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United pulled away behind a pair of goals by Chris Wehan to defeat Locomotive FC in front of another energized home crowd on Wednesday Night Soccer. The hosts had the first good look on goal in the ninth minute when Kevaughn Frater laid back a pass for Devon Sandoval, who controlled on his chest but fired just over the crossbar from the left side of the penalty area. El Paso’s first good look arrived in the 23rd minute when a clever pass by Richie Ryan off a free kick set up Derek Gebhard for a low shot that went just wide of the left post, while Locomotive FC goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah made a big save from close range on NMU’s Santi Moar in the 31st minute to keep the game scoreless. New Mexico took the lead from the penalty spot seven minutes before halftime, however, as Frater fired low into the right corner after Kenny Akamatsu was brought down in the penalty area. El Paso’s Chapa Herrera forced a low save by New Mexico goalkeeper Cody Mizell in the 68th minute with a shot from the top-left corner of the penalty area as the visitors looked for an equalizer, but with 19 minutes to go a chipped cross by Santi Moar from the right eluded the El Paso defense, allowing Wehan to add a second for New Mexico. Wehan then struck again four minutes later as Frater created space on the left before delivering a chipped cross that the attacking midfielder headed home to the bottom-left corner, closing out a second consecutive victory for NMU.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Chris Wehan, New Mexico United – Wehan scored twice to put the game away for the hosts and was a consistent threat in the attacking third, recording three key passes as well on the night.