New Mexico United has hosted some big nights in its history.

There was the club’s first Cinco de Mayo contest in 2019, which drew more than 15,000 fans to Isotopes Park.

How about the playoff-clinching 2-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on the final day of that season?

Earlier this year, there was the club’s first home game against an opponent from Major League Soccer, which saw United dispatch Real Salt Lake 4-2 in the Round of 32.

Now you can add Sunday night to the list.

New Mexico’s comeback 2-1 victory against rival and defending USL Championship title holder Phoenix Rising FC in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix offered another special moment as the club hosted its first postseason contest.

And as usual, the crowd of 11,447 fans were central to the performance.

“It’s a big push forward,” said Mukwelle Akale, who scored the game-winner in the 85th minute. “I mean, this club has the best fan-base in the league. It’s the 12th man. Without them, tonight, we go one-zero down, the crowd doesn’t stop making noise. We hear that. We feed on it. We get that equalizer. They scream even louder. We get the winner. That’s how it works.”

“It’s like that angel on your shoulder, and it’s just a sense of comfort,” added Head Coach Eric Quill. “You want to please them. You want to make them proud, because this state just comes and supports us in so many different ways. And I mean, this is what professional sports is all about. And this will resonate in their memories for a lifetime.” 

“I think I blacked out,” said Seymore. “I closed my eyes, hit it as hard as I could, and it went in.”

The winner, by contrast, was measured and decisive. After coming on as a second-half substitute, Avionne Flanagan picked up possession on a potential counterattack on the left, waited for his support to arrive and then picked out a cross through the top of the six-yard area that found Akale waiting at the back post.

“I know he’s going to beat his guy, and I know exactly where he was going to put the ball,” said Akale. “So, I just ran to the spot and guess what? It came right to that spot. And I mean, it was just a tap in, but it created the goal. I arrived to make the finish. It was a great play between two players who understand each other well.”

“We talk about what our subs have contributed so much to us this year,” said Quill. “I don’t think there's been one game where our subs have not raised the level of the game. And that’s just a credit to the culture that we’ve created here. They’re rooting for each other. They believe in each other. They’re ready when there are moments to be called upon.”

After the best regular season in club history, New Mexico is ready for more. Having built their homefield advantage in the Western Conference around their home record – the club’s 11 wins at Isotopes Park led the West – it’s now the stage on which they can build a bid for the first silverware in club history.

As Las Vegas Lights FC prepares to visit next weekend aiming to create history of its own, New Mexico’s players believe the edge provided them by the club’s support can continue to carry the club forward.

“That’s what you play the game for,” said Seymore. “I think it’s a special moment not just for us, but the whole club. For every person that attended tonight. The sound was, you know, that's why you play sports. It was one of a kind, for sure.”

“I mean, if they show up like this every playoff game,” said Akale, “I don't see us losing.”