New Mexico United beats Phoenix Rising to advance in USL Playoffs

New Mexico United defeated Phoenix Rising FC 2-0 on Sunday night in Albuquerque, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2026 USL Championship Playoffs after a match preceded by a two-and-a-half-hour weather delay.

Weather Delay Precedes Early New Mexico Strikes

Severe weather forced a lengthy delay before kickoff at the venue in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Once play began, Valentin Noël put the hosts ahead by outmuscling a defender on the right flank, driving along the byline, and delivering a precise cross for Greg Hurst to finish past the Phoenix defense, according to archyde.com. New Mexico maintained that early momentum through the first half.

Both squads tested opposing goalkeepers from distance during the opening half-hour. Charlie Dennis had a shot saved for United, while Diego Gómez fired just wide of the left post for Rising. Just before halftime, Joseph Melto combined with Hurst for a lifted shot that Phoenix goalkeeper Chituru Odunze stopped.

New Mexico Doubles Lead as Phoenix Loses Two Players

Just three minutes after halftime, New Mexico doubled its lead. Following a blocked shot by Dennis inside the box, the ball fell to right back Jake LaCava 30 yards out, who drove forward and struck a powerful shot into the bottom-left corner, archyde.com reported.

The match deteriorated physically moments later. In the 52nd minute, Phoenix player Jean-Eric Moursou was shown a red card after pushing New Mexico Head Coach Dennis Sanchez while retrieving a ball from the technical area. Teammate Gunnar Studenhofft subsequently received a second yellow card for a strong challenge on New Mexico goalkeeper Kris Shakes, reducing Phoenix to nine players.

Shakes Preserves Clean Sheet to Secure Semifinal Spot

Despite playing down two men, Phoenix generated late scoring opportunities. Ihsan Sacko appeared to score a late goal for the visitors, but the officials immediately disallowed it for offside, archyde.com noted. Sacko tested Shakes again in the closing minute of regulation, and Shakes subsequently blocked a dangerous header from Ascel Essengue off the resulting corner kick to preserve the clean sheet.

The victory marks New Mexico United’s third consecutive postseason run into the Western Conference Semifinals. While Phoenix mounted a late-season charge over the final three weeks of the regular schedule to claim the No. 8 seed, the squad ultimately fell short against the top seed’s tactical discipline.