New Mexico United advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2026 USL Championship Playoffs with a 2-0 victory against Phoenix Rising FC on Sunday night, following early goals in either half and a chaotic finish that saw the visitors reduced to nine players. The match, hosted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was preceded by a two-and-a-half-hour weather delay.
Early Strikes Set the Tone After Weather Delay
Valentin Noël seized control early by outmuscling his marker on the right flank, darting along the byline, and centering a precise ball for Greg Hurst to finish past the Phoenix defense. The opening goal immediately established the intensity for New Mexico. Both teams tested the keepers from distance before the half-hour mark, with Charlie Dennis having 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 finish that Rising goalkeeper Chituru Odunze managed to deny.
55' Free Kick presented by @TLCPlumbing for Phoenix Rising.#NMvPHX | 2-0 | #SomosUnidos pic.twitter.com/4y0PsT5Fpw
The hosts doubled their advantage merely three minutes into the second half. Following an initial blocked shot from Dennis inside the box, the ball caromed out to right back Jake LaCava 30 yards from goal. LaCava strode forward in the right channel and laced a powerful strike into the bottom-left corner.
Discipline Crumbles as Phoenix Loses Two Players
The contest turned entirely adversarial in the opening minutes of the second half when Phoenix lost its composure. In the 52nd minute, Jean-Eric Moursou was dismissed after pushing over New Mexico Head Coach Dennis Sanchez while attempting to retrieve a ball from the United technical area. Shortly after, teammate Gunnar Studenhofft was shown a second yellow card for a strong challenge on New Mexico goalkeeper Kris Shakes, leaving Rising with just nine men on the pitch.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Phoenix mounted a late push. Ihsan Sacko thought he had pulled a goal back late in the contest, but the effort was immediately ruled offside. Sacko tested Shakes again with a minute remaining in regulation, and Shakes followed up by blocking a dangerous header from Ascel Essengue off the ensuing corner kick.
Third Consecutive Postseason Run for United
New Mexico United advanced into the Western Conference Semifinals for a third consecutive postseason. While Phoenix mounted a remarkable late-season run over the final three weeks of the regular schedule to secure the No. 8 seed, the squad ultimately failed to match the physical intensity and tactical discipline of the top seeds on Sunday night.
