ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The two hottest clubs in the USL Championship square off Wednesday night in the Land of Enchantment as Lexington Sporting Club takes on New Mexico United in midweek, late-night action.
Lexington has picked up 22 points over its last 10 matches, the second-most in the league behind only New Mexico, who have collected 24 over their last 10.
The Greens’ most recent victory was by way of a shutout over Las Vegas — the eighth of the season for goalkeeper Oliver Semmle, who trails only Detroit City FC’s Carlos Herrera for the most in the USL Championship.
Overall, LSC is now 7W-2L-1D over its last 10 outings with 19 goals scored and only nine conceded, four of which came in the same match.
With the USL Championship roster freeze approaching, Lexington has made a slew of moves over the last week. Acquisitions include midfielder Noble Okello, who made his club debut in the win vs. Vegas, and Academy signing Brady Stockton.
In addition to Okello, two Greens made their club debuts last time out. Defender Andrew Caborn, who was signed to an Academy deal from Lexington’s U-20 Academy team, made his professional debut. Malcolm Fry, who was added via loan from MLS’ New England Revolution in July, also made his first appearance in green.
It is all hands on deck for Lexington who currently sits in seventh place in a crowded Western Conference, but would ascend all the way to second with a victory. New Mexico would still sit atop the Conference, boasting one more win against Western Conference opponents than Lexington.
LSC is 1W-2L-0D against New Mexico all-time and will look to even up the series history at altitude as it tackles a stretch in which it plays three Conference matches in eight days.
Kickoff from Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park is set for 9:30 p.m. ET.
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO
The only thing hotter than the desert they play in is the scorching form of New Mexico United. The club is undefeated in its last 10 matches, winning seven of those contests and collecting a clean sheet in six of them.
The club sits atop the West with 34 points, tied alongside Orange County SC and El Paso Locomotive FC. However, they sit only five points clear of the playoff line in a Conference that has never been so congested.
Greg Hurst and Valentin Noël are the men in form for the club. Over their last five matches, Hurst has scored four times while Noël has found the back of the net three times. Both men accounted for three of New Mexico’s four goals in their last meeting with Lexington.
Goalkeeper Kristopher Shakes’ seven clean sheets are tied for the third-most in the league and his 86.1% save percentage ranks first in the Championship.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will stream live on ESPN+.
