ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – One of two former title-winners remaining in the field will try to record a second consecutive road upset when No. 3 seed New Mexico United plays host to No. 7 seed Orange County SC in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix on Saturday night, with New Mexico aiming to reach the Western Conference Final for the first time in club history. Kickoff at Isotopes Park is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

New Mexico United (14-10-6, 48pts) – New Mexico advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for a second consecutive postseason with a 2-0 victory against San Antonio FC last Saturday night, posting the only multigoal performance of the opening weekend as Mukwelle Akale and Valentin Noël found the net at Isotopes Park. The victory continued United’s strong end to the regular season, which has seen the side build an eight-game undefeated streak (5-0-3) since its last defeat in mid-September. Akale’s goal was his third in as many games, with the right winger recording his second playoff goal for United. The hosts will now hope to maintain their momentum as they bid to make the deepest run in the postseason in their history with another win.

Orange County SC (10-11-9, 39pts) – The 2021 title-winners made their second consecutive trip as underdogs to the Western Conference Semifinals as they advanced 5-4 in a penalty shootout against No. 2 seed Sacramento Republic FC on Sunday night with goalkeeper Tetsuya Kadono recording three saves to lead the team through. Kadono was brought on as a 120th-minute substitute ahead of the shootout, replacing starter Colin Shutler, and after recording saves in each of the first two rounds his save in the seventh round to deny Jack Gurr sent Orange County through. The result continued OCSC’s success in postseason penalty shootouts, with the club having going 4-0 from the spot overall. Now the side will try to return to the Western Conference Final for the first time since it lifted the trophy four years ago, but will have to do so without assists leader Chris Hegardt as he serves a one-game suspension following his red card against Republic FC.

All-Time Series

New Mexico United has posted a 4-2-4 record against Orange County in the regular season, including going 1-0-1 this season, but the sides played to a 3-3 draw in their most recent encounter on October 11 in a game that saw both teams hold the lead to move United’s undefeated streak in the series to four games.

Opta Says

8 – New Mexico United’s current eight-game undefeated streak across the regular season and playoffs is the club’s longest in USL Championship play.

27 – Orange County SC conceded 27 goals in the second half of games in the regular season, tied for the second-most in the league.

Players to Watch

New Mexico United – Valentin Noël: The midseason arrival scored his fourth goal for United to wrap up the side’s win against San Antonio FC last Saturday, his first career goal in the USL Championship Playoffs, and put together a tidy display in midfield, completing 17 of 20 passes and recording two shots and one chance created overall.

Orange County SC – Ousmane Sylla: The former MAC Hermann Trophy winner could be the logical replacement for Chris Hegardt in the OCSC lineup. Sylla recorded two goals and three assists in the regular season and found the net from the spot in the side’s penalty shootout against Sacramento on Sunday night.

Uniforms

Discipline Report

New Mexico United – No suspensions

Orange County SC – Suspended: Chris Hegardt

Officials
REF: Elton Garcia
AR1: Eric Krueger
AR2: Joe Suchoski
4TH: Muhammad Hassan