2025 Match Recap: New Mexico United 0, Sacramento Republic FC 2

The final stretch starts now. The final 10 matches of the regular season are now upon the Republic and the first game in this stretch is an away trip to New Mexico.

The Republic saw New Mexico all the way back in March for the season opener. Sacramento were victorious on the night with a penalty conversion from Russell Cicerone and a goal from Lewis Jamieson propelling the side. After the opener, New Mexico's first half of the season went well. It would see New Mexico move to the top of the Western Conference. However, their recent stretch has brought New Mexico back into the thick of the playoff race as they were in 7th place to start this match. A string of signings for United will hope to galvanize their form and make their way back up the table. Two names that stick out are former Republic player, Luther Archimede, and a standout from Las Vegas, Valentin Noel. Coach Dennis Sanchez was hoping to put an end to their recent skid as they have gone winless across all competitions since late June.

On the other hand, the front half of the Republic season was up-and-down. The team seemed inconsistent as Coach Neill Collins was implementing his system. From the season opener, it would take the Republic until early May to get another win in the league. Fast forward and the Republic have turner it around and strung together an unbeaten streak that took them all the way to 2nd in the Western Conference to start the night. That streak did come to an end in the last match as they lost 0-1 on the road to El Paso. It was a busy week for the Republic as they had a midweek cup match to deal with, so there were a couple players that rotated in for the El Paso match. Tulsa in first place might be a little too far away to catch, but the Republic will be looking to get themselves in as good of a seed as possible when it comes time to the postseason.

Coach Dennis Sanchez made this selection for New Mexico:

New Mexico’s Team ⚫️🟡#SomosUnidos | @FergusonlawWill pic.twitter.com/5TWuR5GlNY

— New Mexico United (@NewMexicoUTD) August 31, 2025

Coach Neill Collins had this lineup for Sacramento:

Starting XI for this evening#NMvsSAC | @TiemannLawFirm pic.twitter.com/iHsXbXT0ea

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) August 31, 2025

The squad was rotated in the game against El Paso so there were going to be a couple of changes to the lineup in this one. First, Rayan Djedje got the start in the Republic's backline over Chibi Ukaegbu, who is gearing up to take part in the US Youth National Team, and Jared Timmer who wasn't listed on the teamsheet. Jack Gurr and Michel Benitez returned to their spots as the wingbacks. Rodrigo Lopez got the start in the midfield over Blake Wiley. And Russell Cicerone and Khori Bennett started in the Republic's attack.

It was Sacramento that opened the game brightly with a lot of the play being in New Mexico's territory. The first shot on target came from Khori Bennett in the 3rd minute. He got the pass at the top of New Mexico box and took his shot from distance. Kristopher Shakes was up to the task and handled the shot.

Kristopher Shakes again was called on in the 10th minute. Michel Benitez won a free kick deep down the left flank. And it would be Rodrigo Lopez to step up and take the set piece opportunity. He curved a shot towards the New Mexico net but Shakes punched the ball out and cleared it.

Both teams settled into the game as it moved towards halftime. Fouls were being called frequently as the teams were playing physically, but it didn't allow the game to have a real flow to it.

The first half was scoreless as neither side found a breakthrough. Sacramento opened the game brightly but as New Mexico grew into the match they held longer spells of possession. With that possession however United was held to no shots on target. Sacramento was making New Mexico uncomfortable as their dynamic passing allowed them into more threatening positions. Whereas when New Mexico had the ball, all of Sacramento's players were there to force the opponent back and make it difficult to move forward.

Sacramento got the lead in the 52nd minute. Khori Bennett got on the ball in the midfield from Rodrigo Lopez and took on the New Mexico defense. He got to the top of the New Mexico box and fired a shot from distance. The shot was deflected off of a New Mexico defender and wrongfooted Kristopher Shakes and fell into the back of the net.

Bennett's strike from outside the 18 gives us the lead!! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/kPPYr6E5Gi

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) August 31, 2025

Former Republic player Luther Archimede came onto the pitch in the 64th minute for New Mexico.

Khori Bennett got a brace in the 69th minute. New Mexico were playing the ball out of the back and an errant pass fell to Michel Benitez. He looked up and played the ball quick to Khori Bennett in the middle of the New Mexico box. Bennett received the ball and and took a couple touches to settle the ball before beating the keeper and giving the Republic a two goal lead.

Bennett puts it away to make it 2-0 !!! pic.twitter.com/lP0IjbStQI

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) August 31, 2025

The first substitutions on the night were made in the 74th minute. Ryan Spaulding and Blake Willey came off the bench to take the places of Rayan Djedje and Rodrigo Lopez. Ryan Spaulding took to the left wingback spot and Michel Benitez lined up on the right. This meant that Jack Gurr would be playing in central defense.

More substitutions were called upon in the 84th minute. Luis Felipe and Sebastian Herrera took to the field to replace Cristian Parano and Khori Bennett.

And then a final substitution was made in the 90th minute. Chibi Ukaegbu replaced Lee Desmond. Five minutes prior to this substitution Lee Desmond appeared to go down with an injury and was looked at by the training staff.

The one time that Danny Vitiello was needed came deep in stoppage time. Dayonn Harris put in a low cross into the Republic box. It got to the middle of the box where Michel Benitez was sliding in to intercept the ball. The ball was deflected off the defender and towards net but Danny Vitiello was there to stop the potential own goal.

And the final whistle blew with Sacramento walking away with all three points. Another solid display for the Republic as they continue to make their way up the table. New Mexico has been a difficult place to play and to come away with the win is no easy feat. Khori Bennett absolutely deserves man of the match honors for recording the first brace of the season. But there were plenty of other notable performances from players like Michel Benitez, Nick Ross, and Danny Vitiello that moved this side forward. Also, credit to the Republic backline for holding New Mexico to zero shots on target. Next up is another game on the road trip as Neill Collins visits his former side the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• Solid showing from the Republic defense to stifle any of New Mexico's attacking opportunities.
• Shoutout especially to Rayan Djedje for being ready when called on to fill in the backline.
• Khori Bennett gets the brace. Let's keep him going.

Sacramento Republic FC: 2 goals, 9 shots, 6 shots on target, 39.6% possession, 5 corners, 4 offsides, 4 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

New Mexico United: 0 goals, 6 shots, 0 shots on target, 60.4% possession, 2 corners, 1 offsides, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond, Rayan Djedje (OUT, 74'), Freddy Kleeman, Jack Gurr, Michel Benitez, Nick Ross, Rodrigo Lopez (OUT, 74'), Russell Cicerone, Khori Bennett (OUT, 84'), Cristian Parano (OUT, 84')

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, Chibi Ukaegbu, Ryan Spaulding (IN, 74'), Dominik Wanner, Luis Felipe (IN, 84'), Blake Willey (IN, 74'), Sebastian Herrera (IN, 84')

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Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)