New Mexico United fell to Memphis 901 FC by a 0-2 score on Wednesday night. Goals from Luiz Fernando and Phillip Goodrum left New Mexico without a point on the evening. Despite the loss, United remains in playoff position. Their 39 points leave them in fifth place in the USL Championship Western Conference with nine matches left to play in the regular season.
New Mexico looked very comfortable in possession, dominating the pace and tenor of the match in the early going. But a tap home on a through ball for Luiz Fernando came against the run of play for Memphis’s first goal in the 37th minute. From there, United saw out the half and went into the locker room down one goal. United outshot Memphis by a 7-5 margin in the first half.
The second stanza, like the first, began with New Mexico coming out strong. United pressed high and earned successive corners to start the frame. In total, United attempted 29 crosses, but couldn’t convert on those opportunities from out wide. Late in the match, some nifty passing between Chris Wehan and Devon Sandoval led to some high-xG chances, but again United couldn’t convert. In the second minute of stoppage time, after one such chance, Goodrum found himself on the end of some transition play for Memphis and lifted over Alex Tambakis for the game’s final score.
STATS: Memphis 901 FC led New Mexico United in xG by a 1.63 – 0.57 margin
Memphis 901 FC has more touch in the opponent’s box by a 6-5 margin
New Mexico United was whistled offside twice in the match. Memphis 901 FC was whistled offside once.
