Noël’s late goal stuns El Paso
El Paso, TX – For a moment it looked as if New Mexico United would finish in third in the regular season standings. As extra time ticked away into the rainy El Paso night Valentin Noël took a shot on goal. The ball soared towards the top corner of the Locomotive net and snuck in, shooting United back into first place in an instant. The loud traveling supporters, stuck in a corner of Southwest University Park, had the perfect view of the goal and roared back to insane lengths. United had done it.
As the full time whistle blew a host of yellow kits ran towards that same corner to celebrate with the traveling faithful. The joyful moment was capped off with players and fans embracing one another in the lower bowl, Captain Greg Hurst and Head Coach Dennis Sanchez holding up a jersey with honorary teammates Santi y Sebas on the back, a New Mexico flag raised in the background over the celebration. The group turned their eyes up towards the El Paso skyline as fireworks capped off the on field celebration.
With that win the Western Conference runs through the Land of Enchantment. As the one seed, New Mexico United will now play host to rival Phoenix Rising in the first round of the USL Championship Western Conference Playoffs at RGCU Field at Isotopes Park. This is a rematch of the two sides last playoff match up in 2024 where United defeated Rising 2-1 in the first round of that year’s playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 PM on November 1st. Tickets are going quick and you can get your tickets at Seatgeek.com.
