COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – New Mexico United rallied from an early deficit to spoil Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s grand opening of Weidner Field on Friday night as Amando Moreno provided the game-winner in a 3-1 victory for the visitors on a historic night in the USL Championship.

The Switchbacks got out to a flying start at their new home with a goal after just 67 seconds as Hadji Barry stayed onside as he ran onto a pass over the top into the left channel before calmly slotting home his third goal in as many games into the bottom-right corner of the net.

New Mexico only took six minutes to respond, however, as Sergio Rivas scored his second goal in as many games for the visitors. After a cross from the right side for United, an attempted clearance came to the feet of the attacking midfielder, who coolly curled home a shot between defenders into the right half of the net.

Colorado Springs went close to regaining the lead in the 14th minute as Zach Zandi fired a shot from 25 yards that rang the right post, while Badji almost grabbed his second of the night midway through the half as he ran onto a short back-pass but was denied by United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis. The visitors then went close just before the half-hour mark, but Moreno’s shot from range was tipped wide of his right post by Switchbacks goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg.

Moreno put United ahead four minutes into the second half, however, as Brian Brown controlled a throw-in from the left inside the penalty area, created space as he cut to the byline and delivered a low ball that Moreno clipped in at the near post for his second goal of the season. But New Mexico was then reduced to 10 men five minutes later as Andrew Tinari received his second yellow card of the game, giving the hosts an opening to rally.

Colorado Springs’ Matt Mahoney almost took advantage immediately as he forced a good save from Tambakis from the right side of the penalty area. Barry also went close with nine minutes to go as his curling shot to the right corner from the top of the penalty area was turned wide of the post by Tambakis.

New Mexico put the game away in second-half stoppage time, however, as Daniel Bruce sprang forward to take a pass just over the halfway line by Devon Sandoval and streak in on goal before firing into the top-right corner of the net, sealing a second consecutive victory for United.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Sam Hamilton, New Mexico United – Hamilton won all 10 of his duels defensively and recorded 12 recoveries while winning five tackles as the United back line put in a stellar display down to 10 men to see out the win.

Scoring Summary
COS – Hadji Barry (Austin Dewing) 2’
NM – Sergio Rivas 8’
NM – Amando Moreno (Brian Brown) 49’
NM – Daniel Bruce (Devon Sandoval) 90+7'

Full Box Score