New Mexico United ran their USL Championship-best home winning streak to 17 matches on Wednesday night, drawing with Oakland Roots SC, with each club finishing with two goals on the evening. Neco Brett scored his third goal in four matches for United, tying him for the league lead. Sergio Rivas added United’s second score, before Oakland scored a stoppage time equalizer to split the points.
United dominated Oakland in shots (16-9), and led in shots on goal (5-3). Perhaps more impressive: United won the possession battle (53.7%-46.3%) against an Oakland club that had largely dominated possession, save their most-recent match against Monterey Bay FC.
Oakland scored first in this one, as Alex Tambakis punched away an Oakland cross. That half-clearance came to the foot of Joseph Nane, who cleverly flicked the ball over his shoulder to a waiting Charlie Dennis. Dennis took one touch before slotting a low ball past a screened Alex Tambakis for the game’s first score.
United would answer just before the half, as Justin Portillo continued his dangerous play-making for United, chipping a ball toward Chris Wehan. Wehan deftly took the ball down out of the air, dribbled toward the end line and crossed low to Brett. Brett slotted home his league-leading third goal of the season, leaving him just one goal short of fifth all-time in USL Championship regular season history.
United added to that lead through Albuquerque product Sergio Rivas in the 69th minute. Sam Hamilton chipped a ball in from the right side of the box toward a streaking Rivas, who headed it to the near post and in. That lead would last until stoppage time, when – for the second time in as many matches – United surrendered a late equalizer. Tarek Morad headed home a cross off of a redirected corner kick to earn Roots their first point of the young season.
Match attendance was 7,731.
