You could at Loudoun United’s 1-0 loss at El Paso Saturday, which gave the team their fourth straight loss in fifteen days, in which they have been outscored 11-2 and think that it could be the same old, same old for Loudoun, and can come away impressed by their effort, which saw them with eight shots yet five were on target (most were low quality efforts via the xG charts). It took an 89th minute effort where a young defender playing his third game in seven days and possibly dealing with a slight knock in Daniel Chica (by depth choice options, Loudoun’s 4th at center back), get outworked on an endline effort which led to the game-winner. As a regular Loudoun viewer there was some optimism for the effort (El Paso’s only on-target effort was the winner). So that’s the good news, the less good news is Loudoun continues the grind today which at least is at home, in an attempt to right the ship.
The Opposition
New Mexico has a little luster worn off of them compared to previous years; while missing players like former Real Salt Lake player Devon Sandoval, who was the team’s first signing five years ago. The team’s attackers are formidable ones such as Greg Hurst and Santi Moar, who arrive from various stages of the Phoenix Rising club, and Chris Wehan transferred back to New Mexico from Orange County in one of the more lucrative intra-league transfers for the USL. The team also has Sergio Rivas and Justin Portillo in attack. New Mexico will be missing Sam Hamilton due to suspension, so Loudoun will want to take advantage of the absence. New Mexico is off on the weekend so rotation will be a moot point (while Loudoun finish this stretch at Hartford), so there may be some rotation in attack with Wesley Leggett coming back into the starting lineup to get his speed into the backline early.
Your Random Stat
21% – New Mexico’s conversion rate, 2nd in the USL and a third higher than Loudoun, despite having a third fewer shots than same.
How to Watch:
Match date/kickoff time: Wednesday, May 17, 7:00pm ET
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg, VA (tickets can be purchased here if so inclined)
Online Streaming: ESPN+
Loudoun Unavailables: Alex Nagy (ACL) and Kwame Awuah (achilles) are both out for the season, Cole Turner (meniscus) is out until approximately August. Yanis Leerman (ankle) may return today.
I’ll admit that my loyalty is sorely torn between Loudoun United and New Mexico United tonight. Perennial big crowd New Mexico United leads the USL with 10,285 per match this season (four times Loudoun’s average). And New Mexico United is planning to build its own soccer-specific stadium in order to move away from baseball-oriented Isotopes Park. So I guess I maintain plenty of former hometown pride b
But I’ll be happier with a Loudoun United win.
Gavin Turner was cleared to play recently, how soon should we expect to start seeing him in gameday squads?
Think they forgot to give a match thread for the Philly game….
They did. We’ve been very much on the backfoot coming out of the half in the DC vs Philly game.
Hey look a play very similar to what got De Ro a straight red a few seasons ago and no cards from the ref.