By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–San Diego Loyal SC earned another point in the Western Conference standings with a 3-3 draw against New Mexico United Sunday afternoon at Torero Stadium. Charlie Adams, Alejandro Guido, and Thomas Amang each found the net for the homeside.
The sold-out crowd got to see six goals in an action-packed match on Fan Appreciation Day and the final home regular season match of the 2022 season for SD Loyal (18W-9L-6D). Coach Landon Donovan’s team improved to 60 points on the year, its highest total in club history. Entering the match, SD Loyal had already clinched second place and will host its first-ever playoff match on October 23 at 7 p.m.
Against New Mexico United (11W-19L-12D, 45 points), SD Loyal found itself down early as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the second minute off a Justin Portillo penalty kick. Portillo converted from the spot after Amando Moreno was fouled after chasing a blocked Jerome Koesewetter shot. Koesewetter’s attempt was blocked by SD Loyal goalkeeper Duran Ferree, who became the youngest player to compete in the USL Championship in club history at 16 years and 11 days.
SD Loyal tied the match in the 24th minute when Charlie Adams converted a penalty kick to tie the match 1-1. It was Adams’ fifth goal of the season. The home team then took a 2-1 lead four minutes later off the head of Guido. The Chula Vista native headed in a ball into an open net after New Mexico goalkeeper Alex Tambakis blocked a shot by Amang. Guido charged the New Mexico United penalty box and didn’t waste his chance for his fifth goal of the season.
Just before halftime, Moreno tied the match 2-2 when he took down a quick pass from Harry Swartz and immediately fired past Ferree from just outside the six-yard box.
Moreno went on to score his second goal of the day less than two minutes into the second half to give the visitors a 3-2 lead. The forward took a long pass from Portillo, dribbled to his right, and sent in a blast past Ferree into the upper left corner of the SD Loyal net.
But SD Loyal managed to save a point with Amang’s goal in the 52nd minute. The Cameroonian striker sent in a shot from near the goal line, putting back a header from Grant Stoneman that came off the right post. The speedy forward charged into the six-yard box and buried his 11th goal of the season.
SD Loyal will now prepare for its regular season finale at conference rival the Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. (YurView, ESPN+, Azteca 33).
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
NM – Justin Portillo, 2nd minute: Portillo gave the visitors the early lead when he converted a penalty kick down the middle of the SD Loyal goal. SD 0, NM 1
SD – Charlie Adams, 24th minute: Adams tied the match after beating New Mexico goalkeeper Alex Tambakis on his penalty kick. SD 1, NM 1
SD – Alejandro Guido, 28th minute: Guido heads in the ball while charging in down the middle of the box to give SD Loyal a 2-1 lead. SD 2, NM 1
NM – Amando Moreno (Harry Swartz), 40th minute: Moreno sent in a quick shot from the six-yard box to tie the match. SD 2, NM 2
NM – Amando Moreno (Justin Portillo), 47th minute: Moreno scored his second goal of the match when he sent in a blast from just outside the penalty box to give the visitors the advantage. SD 2, NM 3
SD – Thomas Amang, 52nd minute: Amang put back a Grant Stoneman shot that came off the post to tie the match 3-3. SD 3, NM 3
