New Mexico United became the first team from the Western Conference to clinch a berth in the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix on Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory against second-place Sacramento Republic FC at Isotopes Park.

Here are three things we took away from the contest.

1. GREG HURST MADE HIS MOMENTS COUNT FOR UNITED

New Mexico Head Coach Eric Quill has at times lamented his side’s to take full advantage of its supremacy when it has created opportunities. On Wednesday night, after a first half in which the hosts were put on their heels by Republic FC, they delivered in the biggest game of the season so far.

In the middle of it was Greg Hurst, who didn’t need a second invitation to break his scoring drought after sending the side’s best opportunity in the first half wide of the post. The Scottish forward set up both of his goals with his pre-pass movement, fanning away from his marker to the left to create a channel for first Sergio Rivas and then Mukwelle Akale to thread their pass into his path.

Hurst hadn’t found the net in more than a month, and hadn’t scored at Isotopes Park since May, but he cleaned up this time around. Now he should be filled with confidence and could have a chance to earn the club’s single-season scoring record, sitting three back of Kevaughn Frater’s total of 14 goals in the 2019 season with six games to go in the campaign.

2. THE NO. 1 SEED IN THE WEST IS NEW MEXICO'S TO LOSE

With Wednesday night’s victory, New Mexico almost certainly locked up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the first time in club history, moving 10 points clear of Sacramento and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. It also set a club record for points (54) in a single season, and extended its club record for the most wins in a regular season with its 17th win of the campaign with six games still to play.

These are all significant landmarks but having the path to the Western Conference Final likely go through Isotopes Park is the biggest opportunity of all. New Mexico is now 10-2-2 at home – one of only four teams to earn double-digit wins on home turf so far this season – and has picked back up with three consecutive wins after its two losses came back-to-back in late July and early August. There aren’t many teams that will relish a visit to Isotopes Park and its high altitude, and while it’s unlikely they’ll be able to reel in Louisville City FC for the Players’ Shield at this point, the support the side will receive in November should make it the favorite to reach the USL Championship Final at this point.

3. SACRAMENTO COULDN’T MAKE ITS ADVANTAGE TELL

As big a night as this was for New Mexico, this could have been a very different if Republic FC had taken advantage of an outstanding first half display that mirrored its opening against Phoenix Rising FC this past weekend. The visitors were on the front foot from the start as Russell Cicerone’s ability to find pockets of space to either shoot or create as he combined well with Aldair Sanchez on the left side and Jack Gurr on the right gave United’s back line fits.

Sacramento had not only the edge in possession, but in territory as their high pressure forced New Mexico into errant passes that kept 40 percent of the play in United’s defensive third. The opportunities were there, too, with Nick Ross’ close-range finish in the 20th minute off Aldair Sanchez’s delivery miraculously denied by United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis. Republic FC could take positives from that should they make a return trip in the postseason, but now they’re going to have to battle to secure the No. 2 seed, a fight that will resume in short order with Saturday’s trip to fifth-place Las Vegas Lights FC, a game that now takes even more importance for both sides.