ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mukwelle Akale and Valentin Noël scored either side of halftime as No. 3 seed New Mexico United took a 2-0 victory against No. 6 seed San Antonio FC in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix at Isotopes Park, maintaining the hosts’ undefeated record against SAFC this season.

Noël almost delivered a stunning start to the contest as he rattled the crossbar from 35 yards in just the fifth minute with a dipping shot. The French playmaker had a role in United’s opener, however, as he played in Greg Hurst on the left side, and after the Scottish forward’s effort was only parried by SAFC goalkeeper Richard Sanchez, Akale was on hand to clean up the rebound.

New Mexico threatened again nine minutes before halftime as Zico Bailey had a chance denied at point-blank range by Sanchez before Akale send a second effort high. San Antonio’s Santiago Patiño also forced a good save by United’s Kris Shakes after the visitors recycled a corner kick, the effort pushed away from the right corner. The hosts doubled their lead 13 minutes into the second half, however, as Noel was played into the right side of the penalty area before shooting home precisely to the bottom-left corner, wrapping up the result as Alex Greive’s chance with six minutes to play proved the last best opportunity for San Antonio.

Takeaways

New Mexico United: The hosts earned victory on home turf to kick of the postseason for a second consecutive year as they put in a comprehensive display to maintain their upper hand on San Antonio, extending their undefeated streak in the series to six games.

San Antonio FC: After their five-goal outburst to end the regular season, the visitors struggled to get going in attack again as the side recorded five shots on target overall but only one in Santiago Patiño’s first-half header that seriously threatened to find the net.

Key moment

Valentin Noel’s second-half goal for New Mexico gave the hosts a two-goal cushion that they wouldn’t relinquish to advance against their Southwestern rival.

Key stat

San Antonio FC recorded 58 final third entries to New Mexico’s 53 but recorded only 11 touches and three shots inside the United penalty area

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Mukwelle Akale, New Mexico United – Akale scored the opening goal of the night and had three shots and two chances created overall while completing 17 of 18 passes and making two interceptions and two recoveries.

Scoring Summary
NM – Mukwelle Akale 20’
NM – Valentin Noël (Kipp Keller) 58’