ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Dayonn Harris scored in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to lead No. 3 seed New Mexico United to a 2-1 victory against No. 7 seed Orange County SC before 10,150 fans at Isotopes Park in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix after Greg Hurst’s opener had been answered by OCSC’s Malik Pinto in a back-and-forth second half.

With the game on the verge of extra time, New Mexico made one final attack as an angled ball into the left flank found Valentin Noël. The French playmaker drew a double-team, allowing Harris to drop into a pocket of space just inside the top of the penalty area, and after receiving Noël’s layoff, the Antigua and Barbuda international rifled home a shot to the top-left corner, sparking wild celebrations for the home fans.

Both side had created chances in the first half, with Orange County’s Vuk Latinovich forcing a good save by United goalkeeper Kris Shakes off a header before Hurst headed wide for New Mexico on a stretching effort in the 23rd minute. The hosts took the lead four minutes into the second half, however, as Hurst followed up his own effort off the post and fired a shot that deflected home just inside the left post.

Orange County hit back midway through the second half as a corner kick by Ousmane Sylla from the right found Pinto arriving near the top of the penalty area for a volleyed finish that found its way through the crowd in the box for his first goal for the club. As the game tilted back the way of the hosts in the closing stages, though, Harris delivered the decisive blow to send New Mexico on.

Takeaways

New Mexico United: The hosts earned their deepest run in the USL Championship Playoffs thanks to another piece of late dramatics at The Lab, with Dayonn Harris’ second goal of the season after returning from a torn ACL suffered in August, 2024 proved the winner in a compelling matchup.

Orange County SC: The 2021 title-winners fought back valiantly after going behind but were unable to build on the momentum of Malik Pinto’s goal, which proved Orange County’s last official shot of the game as their season came to a close.

Key moment

Dayonn Harris’ game-winner in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time delivered one of the biggest results in New Mexico United’s seven-season history as the side advanced to the Western Conference Final.

Key stat

42.5 percent of New Mexico’s possession came in the left third of the field, and ended up being where the side’s decisive goal came from in second half stoppage time.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Dayonn Harris, New Mexico United – The Antigua and Barbuda international scored the biggest goal of his career so far to send United through as he ended the night with two shots, two chances created and completed 18 of 22 passes.

Scoring Summary
NM – Greg Hurst 49’
OC – Malik Pinto (Ousmane Sylla) 68’
NM – Dayonn Harris (Valentin Noel) 90+4’