New Mexico United won on Wednesday night for the sixth time in their last eight matches. The 1-0 victory over Rio Grande Valley FC Toros was powered by an 84th minute penalty, drawn by Jerome Kiesewetter and slotted home by Justin Portillo. United earned the win in front of 9,774 fans on a Wednesday evening. These two clubs will square off again in just three days, as RGV returns to Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park on Saturday evening for a 7:00 PM kick-off.
The first half was scoreless, as United held the advantage in shots (6-4) and shots on goal (1-0), and were content to allow the Toros to carry much of the possession (62.2%-37.8%). That possession advantage would shrink significantly, and United would grow their statistical advantages. In the end, United would finish with a 9-5 lead in shots and would hold RGV without a shot on goal for the match.
The breakthrough for New Mexico came late on, as Kiesewetter was brought down in the box in the 82nd minute, and Wahab Ackwei was booked for dissent. Portillo slotted home the resulting penalty for his joint-team-best 5th goal of the season, and a 1-0 lead that United would not relinquish.
STATS: United led RGV in xG by a 1.11 – 0.75 margin.
United earned one more touch than RGV did in the opponent’s box (9-8).
United’s shot accuracy was 33.3% to RGV’s 0%.
Both clubs were whistled offside twice in the match.
