ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United and Rio Grande Valley FC exchanged first half goals to finish in a 1-1 draw at Isotopes Park on Saturday evening in a result that put another small dent in the playoff aspirations for both sides in the USL Championship’s Mountain Division.

The visitors grabbed an early lead in the fifth minute as Kyle Edwards stole possession from New Mexico’s Micheal Azira near the top of the penalty area and after navigating past a defender slipped a pass to his right for Elvis Amoh to tap home his 11th goal of the season.

New Mexico had a pair of chances to try and level around the 20th minute as first Daniel Bruce got in on the left side but had his shot blocked behind for a corner kick. From the ensuing set piece, Josh Suggs’ delivery found Kalen Ryden, but his header went just over the top-right corner of the net. United pulled level in the 24th minute, however, as Sergio Rivas controlled a long ball upfield just outside the penalty area and the spun out of pressure before playing a pass to Chris Wehan as he overlapped on his right into the penalty area. Wehan finished into the top-left corner of the net for his 10th goal of the season overall and sixth for New Mexico since arriving midseason from Orange County SC.

The Toros tried to hit back and just before the half-hour mark Jonas Fjeldberg led an attacking move before finding Rodrigo Lopez on the right. Lopez’s cross hit a defender but set up nicely for the Norwegian as he followed up into the penalty area and fired a first-time shot just over the crossbar.

Clear chances continued to be limited in the second half, although midway through the half Isidro Martinez carved out a chance to hit a curling shot from the left side that was comfortably held by the Toros’ Tyler Deric. Neither side was able to find a decisive moment in the attacking third late on, however, as the game petered out as a draw.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Carter Manley, Rio Grande Valley FC – Manley was solid on the back line for the Toros, winning 9 of 11 duels and 3 of 3 tackles while making 10 recoveries and two interceptions as he also completed 40 of 52 passes overall.

Scoring Summary
RGV – Elvis Amoh (Kyle Edwards) 5’
NM – Chris Wehan (Sergio Rivas) 24’

Full Box Score