ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United and Las Vegas Lights FC will square off in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix on Saturday night with each side having won on the other’s home turf when they met during the regular season. Kickoff at Isotopes Park is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

New Mexico United (18-11-5, 59pts) – New Mexico built on its best regular season campaign in club history with a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Phoenix Rising FC last Sunday night before 11,447 fans at Isotopes Park. Will Seymore and Mukwelle Akale scored the decisive goals to send the side through in the first home playoff game in club history. Akale’s game-winner in the 85th minute was his fourth goal of the season, and first since August 24 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, and it earned United its fifth comeback victory of the season – a mark only surpassed this season by Louisville City FC’s seven comeback victories across the regular season and playoffs.

Las Vegas Lights FC (13-11-10, 50pts) – The Lights advanced through the first postseason game in club history via a penalty shootout against Sacramento Republic FC in which goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena played the key role, making saves on Republic FC’s first three shots before Coleman Gannon, Grayson Doody and Valentin Noël converted to give the side a 3-2 win at Cashman Field. Las Vegas will now head on the road, where during the regular season it was one of only four clubs to finish with more wins than defeats with a 7-6-4 mark that included wins at New Mexico United, Orange County SC and Sacramento as Noël and Khori Bennett each recorded four away goals apiece to lead the side.

All-Time Series

New Mexico holds a narrow 3-2-3 advantage in the all-time series against the Lights as each club won on the other’s home turf this season. The Lights’ last trip to Isotopes Park saw them emerge with a 2-1 win in July that ended New Mexico’s undefeated run at home to start the season after United earned a 2-1 win at Cashman Field in May.

Opta Says

58.3 – New Mexico United held an average of 58.3 percent of possession at home during the regular season, third in the league behind Las Vegas Lights FC (60%) and the Charleston Battery (58.6%).

1 – Las Vegas Lights FC was held scoreless in consecutive games only once in the 2024 regular season. The club scored in 88 percent of its regular season games, second only to Louisville City FC (94%) in the league.

Players to Watch

New Mexico United – Nanan Houssou: The 23-year-old has been one of the more influential defensive midfielders in the league, ranking 11th in recoveries with 165 while also notching 41 interceptions, and he may have a big role to play as the hosts try to keep tabs on Las Vegas’ J.C. Ngando and Valentin Noël in the attacking third.

Las Vegas Lights FC – Valentin Noël: The attacking midfielder recorded two goals and one assist in the Lights’ two prior meetings with New Mexico this season and recorded 48 chances created and seven assists overall in the campaign while notching four goals away from home.

Uniforms

Discipline Report

New Mexico United – No suspensions

Las Vegas Lights FC – No suspensions

Officials
REF: Natalie Simon
AR1: Bennett Savage
AR2: Nicholas Seymour
4TH: Elvis Osmanovic