San Diego Loyal lose lead late; draw vs. New Mexico United
Credit: SD Loyal
The San Diego Loyal finished off a five-game home stand with a very disappointing 2-2 draw against New Mexico United this Saturday, Aug.19, at Torero Stadium.
The Loyal began the match with a very early lead in the fourth minute of the game when Adrien Perez scored.
Perez scored from a header inside of the penalty area after Grant Stoneman gave him an assist with a header of his own off a corner kick. The Loyal’s lead would not last long at all, as Kyle Colonna scored via a header off a corner kick as well. There was spotty defensive work by San Diego on the play; the ball bounced inside of the penalty area, and Koke Vegas did not have a good read on the ball.
San Diego was clearly the better team in the opening 45 minutes of play but came away with nothing to show for it, as New Mexico goalkeeper Alex Tambakis had some important saves. Koke Vegas had a vital save of his own towards the end of the first half when he stopped a strike by Santi Moar.
The first half was a vibrant one, with both teams getting plenty of scoring opportunities, and the second half at Torero Stadium was more of the same.
It was odd not to see Tumi Moshobane in the starting 11 for Nate Miller, but when he did come on, he made an immediate impact, scoring within a minute of being on the pitch. The goal came off a very well-executed cross by Charlie Adams, who ran down the left flank before feeding Moshobane the ball inside of the penalty area.
New Mexico kept on pressing after Moshobane’s goal, and their persistence paid off in stoppage time when Amando Moreno scored the tying goal in the dying minutes of the clash. Moreno scored with a strike inside of the penalty area off a long ball by Justin Portillo. The result was definitely not the one that San Diego was looking for, especially with the lead going into stoppage time.
At the final whistle, the boos and jeers by the home crowd at Torero Stadium were present after a pair of highly frustrating games to end this five-game home stand. The Loyal will now go on the road to face Rio Grande Valley this next Saturday, Aug. 26.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.