August 4, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – New Mexico United News Release
Albuquerque, NM – Playing at home for the first time in three weeks, New Mexico United fell to U.S. Open Cup finalists Sacramento Republic FC by a 2-1 score on Wednesday night. This match was the second of five matches in eighteen days for United, with four of those contests set to be played at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.
After the first half ended scoreless, Tabort Etaka Preston opened the scoring in the 54th minute, capitalizing on a bad back-heeled pass from Sacramento’s Conor Donovan. Preston intercepted the poorly-placed pass, took one touch past the goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, and tucked home for his second goal of the season, and first since the season opener against Las Vegas.
That lead would not hold long, though, as Rodrigo Lopez found Keko Gontan at the back post in the 57th minute, whose first touch was past Alex Tambakis, putting Republic FC on the board. Four minutes later, it was Lopez again – earning his second assist on the evening, and moving him into the all-time assists lead for Sacramento – as he turned a United turnover into quick-moving passes along the top of the box, eventually finding Douglas Martinez for a 2-1 lead that Sacramento would not relinquish.
United’s next home match is this Saturday against The Miami FC. Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM, and the club will be celebrating Everyday Heroes Night.
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