As Dennis Sanchez took over from Eric Quill as New Mexico United’s Head Coach this offseason, we knew what the plan was going to be for United.

Control the game through possession.

So far, that’s been borne out in the club’s numbers. New Mexico has averaged 62.2 percent of possession in its games in the USL Championship this season, more than 6.5 percent higher than the second-place Charleston Battery (55.5).

No club has attempted (6,677) or completed (5,731) more passes, and no club has attempted fewer long passes (594) in the league.

But, on Saturday, the side showed it’s got a Plan B when it needs one.

“A lot of teams are on the front foot against us because they know we like to pass the ball on the ground,” said United winger Mukwelle Akale. “We’re trying to diversify our game by playing it behind a lot and that works. So sometimes behind, sometimes to feet and the defenders don’t know what to do, so if we can improve on doing both of those, we'll have chances every match.”

Against San Antonio FC, New Mexico played a season-fewest 315 passes. It also recorded its highest percentage of long passes in a game this season at 15.2 percent. As SAFC attempted to press, New Mexico’s back line and midfield navigated their way out of problems coolly and put the attacking midfield trio of Akale, Marlon Vargas and Luiz Fernando into good positions.

That trio combined for three goals and three assists against San Antonio, pulling out a late victory to remain on top of the Western Conference. As United approaches the midway point of the season, it continues to move in the right direction.

“Everybody's getting assists. Everybody's getting goals,” said Akale. “When we play on the front foot like that, I mean, no one can stop us. We match the mentality of the other team, the talent will show.”

Here are this week’s rankings.