Goals in stoppage time were the story on Saturday night, as New Mexico United and San Diego Loyal SC played to a 1-1 draw in front of a season-high 12,709 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. United controlled the majority of possession and pace, as Harry Swartz’s late equalizer made all the difference against one of top clubs in the USL Championship’s Western Conference.
United were in control for much of the first half, creating more opportunities and owning more possession than Loyal SC, but neither team capitalized in the early going. The two clubs seemed destined for a level score at the half until a goal kick from Jorge Ruiz Ojeda found a streaking Kyle Vassell, who – in a tangle with United’s Will Seymore – turned it home on his way to the ground for a 1-0 halftime lead.
The second half was more of the same for New Mexico, dominating possession to the tune of 62%-38% for the match, and completing nearly 500 passes on the evening. Finally some fortune broke United’s way in the 79th minute, as San Diego’s Collin Martin, who had just subbed in at halftime, went in for a high tackle on United’s Cristian Nava, earning his second yellow card of the evening, and leaving his club down to 10 men.
15 minutes later, United would capitalize. Justin Portillo spun his way around a defender on the left side of San Diego’s box before slipping a pass through to an open Daniel Bruce at the edge of the six-yard box. Bruce chipped toward the back post, but Ojeda tipped the ball onto the woodwork. Swartz pounced on the rebound, slicing the ball over Ojeda for the pivotal equalizer.
The match was the 100th in New Mexico United’s history (including USL Championship regular season, postseason, US Open Cup, and friendly matches) and was played in front of 12,709 fans – the largest crowd at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park since 2019.
