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Three Things we took away from New Mexico’s victory at Loudoun

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/18/23, 8:16AM EDT

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Sergio Rivas’ scoring streak, Chris Wehan’s return both proved key as visitors earned 3-1 win at Segra Field

New Mexico United moved its undefeated streak to four games on Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory against Loudoun United FC at Segra Field, sending the side up to sixth place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference with a third win in that span.

Here are three things we took away from the interconference clash.

1. SERGIO RIVAS, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME

New Mexico United has seen players produce some big attacking displays in its short history, but with four goals in consecutive league outings, Sergio Rivas is on a run that has only been achieved once previously in club history. Raised in Albuquerque, the 25-year-old’s scoring streak has matched that of teammate Chris Wehan, who scored in New Mexico’s first four games to start the abbreviated 2020 campaign.

Rivas’ goals have shown his awareness of being in the right place in the right time to make things happen. From a good incisive run, picked out by Josh Dolling’s pass, and finish to start the run against Orange County SC on April 29 to picking up the scraps after Amando Moreno’s shot was parried on Wednesday night, the attacking midfielder is delivering in a good run of form for the side.

2. WEHAN’S SUCCESSFUL RETURN A WELCOME SIGHT

From New Mexico United’s arrival in the USL Championship, there’s been no more consistent attacking player for the club than Chris Wehan. That made his first start since an early-season injury sidelined him one to watch, and the veteran playmaker delivered a vintage one goal, one assist performance that will have been a major boost to everyone’s confidence within the locker room.

Wehan has now recorded 49 combined goals and assists in New Mexico’s colors in the Championship’s regular season (35 goals, 14 assists), almost double that of Devon Sandoval in club history (27) as his closet competition. With a crucial road trip to San Antonio FC coming next on May 28, New Mexico will be hoping its talisman is at his best for one of the biggest tests it will receive in the regular season.

3. WILLIAMSON’S PERSISTANCE A BRIGHT SPOT FOR LOUDOUN

Loudoun United FC came up short for a fourth consecutive league defeat on Wednesday night, but it wasn’t for lack of effort, particularly from forward Tommy Williamson. The striker found the net from the penalty spot to make things interesting with 12 minutes to go, spoiling New Mexico’s hopes of a shutout, and the 24-year-old was consistently active in the attacking third, recording eight shots individually, the most for any player in a single game this season.

Loudoun continues to show a lot of promise, although the club’s collective confidence might have taken a hit in the past few days. With another game coming up on Saturday night at Hartford Athletic – a side going through similar struggles – it will be key for Head Coach Ryan Martin and his squad to get some positive vibes back and earn a result to get things back on track.

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