Back in preseason, one of my predictions was that New Mexico United would kick on and surpass its club-record total of 59 points, achieved last season under former Head Coach Eric Quill.

What I didn’t think about at the time was – oops – the regular season is going to be four games shorter because of the USL Jägermeister Cup group stage, dropping the total number of regular season games to 30 from 34.

Six games into United’s campaign, though, things are looking right on track as new Head Coach Dennis Sanchez and his mix of returning players and new arrivals get down to work.

• FEEL THE GRIND: New Mexico took a 1-0 win at home to Monterey Bay FC at Isotopes Park on Wednesday night, giving it five consecutive league victories since it fell on opening night away to Sacramento Republic FC. That’s equaled the club’s longest winning streak in the USL Championship, set between May 15 and June 22, 2022, with the past four wins all coming by a 1-0 scoreline.

• CLOSE THE DOOR: The run of 1-0 wins is significant because it moved United to its longest shutout streak in club history. The side hasn’t allowed a goal in 360 minutes since Joe Gyau’s 90th-minute tally against the side for Las Vegas Lights FC on March 15. Back in goal on Wednesday, Alex Tambakis is now only two off the all-time record for regular season shutouts in Championship history.

• GOOD OMENS: Should New Mexico win its next league outing in the third Derby Del Camino Real against El Paso Locomotive FC so far this season on May 3 at Southwest University Park, it would become only the 11th team to post at least 18 points from its first seven games in league history. Loudoun United FC has already accomplished that this season in the Eastern Conference, but equally as notable is that five of the nine prior clubs to do so went on to win the USL Championship Players’ Shield.

As well as it’s going, there is one notable concern. New Mexico is currently under water when it comes to its underlying numbers. With one-fifth of its regular season played, it has a -0.91 Expected Goal Differential, compared to a +4-goal differential off its results.

But there’s something to be said for the belief the side built last year that it can find ways to win. That’s partly how it increased its single-season high for victories by five last year. Add the tenacity the side showed defensively against Monterey Bay to hold the visitors without a shot on target, the performance was a statement as United stymied the side that was top of the West going into Wednesday’s game.

“I always talk about the collective effort,” said United center back Kalen Ryden. “Guys are finishing the play before the ball even gets towards the back line. Our midfielders, our strikers are winning the ball and getting stuck in and winning duels higher up the field, which is preventing them from coming in the attack.”

For a team that is currently without its top striker in Greg Hurst – who last saw action on April 12 after scoring in each of the first three games of the season – there should still be plenty more to come. After last year’s breakthrough, New Mexico is poised to position itself as a perennial contender.

“We’re evolving,” said Sanchez. “We are growing every week, which is a really important part of our process, and they’re going out and executing the game plan.”