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.
Rank |
Team |
Change |
Summary |
|
1 | ![]() |
North Carolina FC (7-4-2) Week 17: @ LOU |
![]() Last Week: 6 |
North Carolina has home wins against both Louisville City and the Charleston Battery in its ledger this season, the first time the side can say that since the 2019 season. |
2 | ![]() |
FC Tulsa (6-3-3) Week 17: vs. CHA |
![]() Last Week: 3 |
With defeats for Charleston and Louisville, FC Tulsa has the longest undefeated streak in the league. It’s a long-shot to advance in the USL Jägermeister Cup but needs to maintain momentum against Chattanooga. |
3 | ![]() |
Charleston Battery (10-3-1) Week 17: @ TRM |
![]() Last Week: 4 |
The Battery responded to being held scoreless for the first time in the league this season in Miami by racking up another four-goal display at home. Nothing to worry about here. |
4 | ![]() |
New Mexico United (8-4-1) Week 17: vs. COS |
![]() Last Week: 8 |
San Antonio might have cracked the door open, but New Mexico was outstanding in capitalizing to take a big three points at home. Marlon Vargas is putting together a good campaign. |
5 | ![]() |
Louisville City FC (9-1-4) Week 17: @ LDN; vs. NC |
![]() Last Week: 2 |
Louisville wasn’t at its best on Friday night, and ran into a North Carolina side that’s got the quality to challenge that. Massive game now against Loudoun on Wednesday. |
6 | ![]() |
Loudoun United FC (8-4-1) Week 17: vs. LOU; vs. CLT |
![]() Last Week: 1 |
Sometimes, you’re just going to run into a buzzsaw and there’s nothing to be done. How Loudoun responds at home to Louisville on Wednesday is the most important thing. |
7 | ![]() |
El Paso Locomotive FC (6-3-5) Week 17: --- |
![]() Last Week: 13 |
Locomotive finally got the better of Monterey Bay, breaking a five-game winless streak in the series. Really important to stay in touch with New Mexico at the top. |
8 | ![]() |
Miami FC (5-7-1) Week 17: @ GVL |
![]() Last Week: 12 |
Miami was impressive in earning victory against Charleston before the breaks went against them in Detroit. Still, back above the playoff line and in solid position. |
9 | ![]() |
Phoenix Rising FC (5-4-5) Week 17: @ TXO |
![]() Last Week: 5 |
Rising’s undefeated streak came to an end in Charleston, but there were still bright performances to take away from the contest. Getting the right response is key. |
10 | ![]() |
San Antonio FC (6-5-3) Week 17: @ COS; vs OMA |
![]() Last Week: 9 |
We said Saturday’s game in New Mexico was a litmus test for San Antonio. At the last, it threw all its good work away to come away with nothing. |
11 | ![]() |
Sacramento Republic FC (4-4-5) Week 17: @ OC |
![]() Last Week: 11 |
You could understand the frustration for Republic FC after its loss in Birmingham, but Saturday’s victory in Rhode Island could have been even more comfortable. Positive step. |
12 | ![]() |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (3-5-6) Week 17: vs. SA; @ NM |
![]() Last Week: 10 |
Everything that could have gone wrong for the Switchbacks did in Lexington. They’re the seventh team on record to hit the woodwork four times in the same game in the Championship. |
13 | ![]() |
Las Vegas Lights FC (5-6-3) Week 17: vs. SPK |
![]() Last Week: 19 |
The Lights didn’t have the fluidity of their debut under interim Head Coach Giovanni Troise but got a gift from Indy Eleven late and gratefully accepted it for a second consecutive win. |
14 | ![]() |
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (5-6-2) Week 17: vs. WES |
![]() Last Week: 18 |
The Hounds came out blazing on Saturday night against the Rowdies and were well rewarded. Since the start of 2023, the Hounds have only dropped eight points from winning positions at home. |
15 | ![]() |
Indy Eleven (3-4-5) Week 17: @ TBR; vs. BHM |
![]() Last Week: 7 |
Horrible ending for Indy against Las Vegas and now they need to rebound on Wednesday night against Tampa Bay. The Boys in Blue are yet to win at Al Lang Stadium in five visits since joining the Championship. |
16 | ![]() |
Orange County SC (5-6-1) Week 17: vs. SAC |
![]() Last Week: 16 |
Orange County dropped below the playoff line during its bye week. Important run of games to start July after this weekend’s USL Jägermeister Cup contest. |
17 | ![]() |
Lexington SC (3-6-5) Week 17: @ RIC |
![]() Last Week: 20 |
Lexington rode its luck at times against Colorado Springs, but maybe it was due for that to turn. Consecutive wins have moved the side back into the playoff picture. |
18 | ![]() |
Hartford Athletic (2-7-3) Week 17: vs. DET |
![]() Last Week: 22 |
Friday night was everything you could have hoped for in Hartford. Sellout crowd, dominant performance, all is right in the world. We’re not on the bandwagon yet, though, thanks to prior inconsistency. |
19 | ![]() |
Detroit City FC (5-4-5) Week 17: @ HFD |
![]() Last Week: 23 |
Le Rouge really needed their victory against Miami FC, and Shane Wiedt’s goal line clearance might have been the most important moment of the game. |
20 | ![]() |
Oakland Roots SC (4-8-2) Week 17: vs. MB |
![]() Last Week: 24 |
Oakland looked much more up to the task as the game went on in Birmingham. Maybe there’s hope for what this team can accomplish this season after all? |
21 | ![]() |
Birmingham Legion FC (3-7-4) Week 17: @ IND |
![]() Last Week: 21 |
Legion deserved to win against Sacramento on Wednesday night, and deserved to lose against Oakland on Saturday. There’s still a lot of work to be done. |
22 | ![]() |
Rhode Island FC (4-7-3) Week 17: vs. POR |
![]() Last Week: 14 |
After the relief of a first win at Centreville Bank Stadium, another sub-par attacking performance for a fourth defeat in the last five games. Lots of issues to address. |
23 | ![]() |
Monterey Bay FC (5-6-4) Week 17: @ OAK |
![]() Last Week: 15 |
Monterey Bay has only five points from its last eight games, tied for the fewest in the league in that span. That’s the sort of form that undoes the good work that’s been done so far. |
24 | ![]() |
Tampa Bay Rowdies (2-9-2) Week 17: vs. IND |
![]() Last Week: 17 |
The Rowdies have the fewest points in the league and the worst goal differential as well. There’s just not enough consistency to make the playoffs look like a realistic goal. |
Tag(s): Power Rankings San Antonio FC CO Spring Switchbacks Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Sacramento Republic FC FC Tulsa Charleston Battery Louisville City FC Pittsburgh Riverhounds Tampa Bay Rowdies Las Vegas Lights FC Birmingham Legion FC North Carolina FC Indy Eleven El Paso Locomotive FC New Mexico United Loudoun United FC Hartford Athletic Miami FC Oakland Roots SC Detroit City FC Monterey Bay FC Rhode Island FC Lexington SC