ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Micheal Azira and Ilija Ilic both scored in second-half stoppage time as New Mexico United pulled out a 3-1 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Friday night before 9,728 fans at Isotopes Park that saw the Switchbacks denied a point after playing down to 10 men for much of the second half.

New Mexico looked to get on the front foot early and Josh Suggs had an early effort on goal in the seventh minute with a snap shot from outside the top-right edge of the penalty area that was held by Switchbacks goalkeeper Sean Melvin. The hosts went close again in the 15th minute when Andrew Tinari fired a shot high after Rashid Tetteh had knocked a header back off a free kick into the right side of the penalty area, but a minute later another set piece provided the opening goal for United.

Awarded a free kick in the right channel, Suggs delivered a ball toward the top-left edge of the six-yard area where he found Kalen Ryden for a volleyed finish that Melvin got a piece of, but the ball caromed straight to Sergio Rivas allowing him to tap home from close range.

The Switchbacks hit back in the 33rd minute, however, as Hadji Barry recorded his league-leading 12th goal of the season. The goal came off a misplaced pass by the hosts that was intercepted by Steven Echeverria, who quickly found the Guinean forward. Barry cut past a covering defender and then powered a shot home into the upper half of the net.

New Mexico threatened from another set piece a minute before halftime as a ball chipped into the penalty area by Daniel Bruce caromed off a defender and allowed Azira to slide in to try and finish, only for Melvin to get enough of the ball to turn it wide. Another misplaced pass by the hosts then set up another big chance for Colorado Springs as Deshane Beckford broke forward alone after the visitors had forced United back after a corner kick, but New Mexico goalkeeper Alex Tambakis made a good save one-on-one to keep the game level at the break.

The second half began with some early tension between the two sides which escalated in the 53rd minute as the Switchbacks were reduced to 10 men when Sebastian Anderson was sent off after bringing down Bruce off the ball with a high challenge around his head and shoulders. Despite the disadvantage, Colorado Springs threatened to take the lead just past the hour-mark as Michee Ngalina gained possession after a battle in the corner on the left and cut into the penalty area for a shot that was saved by Tambakis.

The United shot-stopper had to come up big again in the 68th minute as Beckford delivered a cross from the right that Ngalina headed cleanly to the left corner of the net, only for Tambakis to make an outstanding diving save to keep the game level once again. Bruce then had a chance for the hosts with 12 minutes to go but fired his shot at Melvin, who was able to punch clear. A few minutes later a mishandle by Melvin as he spilled a deep cross from the right by Bruce presented another chance, but Isidro Martinez skied his shot well over the crossbar.

New Mexico threw additional numbers forward late in search of a winner, and Ilic headed just wide of the left post with two minutes to on a near-post cross by Martinez. As the game ticked into stoppage time, however, a corner kick from the right by Martinez found Azira for a flicked header into the left corner of the net for his first goal at the club. Two minutes later, Ilic added his first goal for United as he held his run just long enough to remain onside, allowing Martinez to send him in behind the Colorado Springs backline before Ilic rounded the goalkeeper and finished into the open net, wrapping up a big victory for the hosts to snap a three-game losing streak.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Isidro Martinez, New Mexico United – Martinez came on as a second-half substitute and had a key impact on United’s victory, recording a pair of assists and three key passes overall while completing 17 of 23 passes and winning 4 of 4 duels.

Scoring Summary
NM – Sergio Rivas 16’
COS – Hadji Barry (Steven Echeverria) 33’
NM – Micheal Azira (Isidro Martinez) 90+1’
NM – Ilija Ilic (Isidro Martinez) 90+3’

Full Box Score