New Mexico United falls 3-0 to Phoenix Rising

Turnovers and penalty kicks prove costly as United's recent league momentum is halted.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:08pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a soccer match into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of deep blues, greens, and oranges, abstracting the players and field into dynamic, angular shapes.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the chaotic energy and fragmented nature of New Mexico United's 3-0 defeat against Phoenix Rising.Phoenix Today

New Mexico United suffered a 3-0 defeat against Phoenix Rising in a USL Championship match on Saturday. Inconsistent play, turnovers, and conceding two penalty kicks led to the loss, ending United's recent run of consecutive league wins. Phoenix scored on one of the penalty kicks and added two more goals in the second half to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This loss is a setback for New Mexico United, who had built up some momentum with recent league wins. The team's struggles with turnovers and discipline around penalty kicks will need to be addressed as they look to regain their form and challenge for a playoff spot in the USL Championship.

The details

New Mexico United struggled to connect passes and create dangerous chances throughout the match, completing just 85.3% of their passes. Phoenix Rising took advantage, scoring in the 13th minute on a penalty kick earned when United defender Ousman Jabang clipped a Phoenix player in the box. United goalkeeper Kris Shakes saved a second Phoenix penalty kick in the 33rd minute to keep the deficit at 1-0 at halftime. But Phoenix added two more goals in the second half, taking advantage of United turnovers, to seal the 3-0 victory.

  • The first Phoenix goal came in the 13th minute.
  • United goalkeeper Kris Shakes saved a Phoenix penalty kick in the 33rd minute.
  • Phoenix scored their second goal shortly after Shakes' penalty save.
  • Phoenix added a third goal in the 82nd minute.

The players

Dennis Sanchez

The head coach of New Mexico United.

Ihsan Sacko

The Phoenix Rising player who converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute.

Ousman Jabang

The New Mexico United defender who conceded the first penalty kick.

Kris Shakes

The New Mexico United goalkeeper who saved a Phoenix penalty kick in the 33rd minute.

John Scearce

The Phoenix Rising player who scored the second and third goals for his team.

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What they’re saying

“I think that we approached the game as if we were going to step on the field and it was going to be easy, which we talk about all the time.”

— Dennis Sanchez, New Mexico United head coach

“Shakes keeps us in the game with the PK save, but all the goals we conceded were completely on us.”

— Dennis Sanchez, New Mexico United head coach

What’s next

New Mexico United will have an off week to rest and recover before their next match on April 25 at home against USL League One side AV Alta FC in the Prinx Tries USL Cup.

The takeaway

This loss highlights the inconsistency that New Mexico United has struggled with so far this season. The team will need to address their issues with turnovers, discipline around penalty kicks, and overall cohesion if they want to regain the momentum they had built up with their recent league wins.