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New Mexico United returns to Western Conference play in June. In the meantime, there鈥檚 just the matter of a bit of travel to New England. Specifically, Connecticut.

Here are some things to note:

Free kicks

1. EAST? I THOUGHT YOU SAID WEAST: Well, at least one stretch of United鈥檚 schedule against Eastern Conference opponents will be completed Saturday.

The matchup against Athletic will mark New Mexico鈥檚 third straight against non-West clubs. United would certainly like to cap it off on a high note after starting with a 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay Rowdies last Wednesday and then beating Charleston Battery 1-0 last weekend.

New Mexico, however, still has three other meetings against Eastern Conference foes 鈥� just not in a row.

United will play at Birmingham Legion FC on July 24, at Loudoun United FC in Virginia on Aug. 22 and host Indy Eleven on Sept. 11. 

2. A THOUSAND MILES 鈥� AND A FEW MORE: The trip to Hartford, Connecticut, will be New Mexico鈥檚 longest scheduled 鈥� the key word being scheduled 鈥� this season. And there are quite a few notable treks there.

From United鈥檚 training facility to Trinity Health Stadium, where Athletic plays, is 2,125 miles via the shortest route on Google Maps.

It marks the club鈥檚 second trip of at least 1,000 miles after visiting Oakland Roots SC (1,075 miles) in the season opener 鈥� so far.

There are five others remaining: Sacramento Republic FC (1,089) on June 20, Lexington SC (1,382) on July 15, Birmingham Legion FC (1,250) on July 24, at Monterey Bay FC (1,023) on Aug. 8 and at Loudoun United (1,868).

3. EXPERIENCING BAD TRIPS: New Mexico hosted the 2021 and 2024 meetings between the clubs. Hartford did so in 2023 and 2025.

United has fared better at Isoptoes Park. 

New Mexico settled for a 2-2 draw in the first matchup after Juan Carlos Obreg贸n scored a 48th-minute equalizer for Athletic. New Mexico won 1-0 in 2024 thanks to an 86th-minute goal from Daniel Bruce, who is now a first-team assistant.

In Hartford? Well, that鈥檚 been a different story.

Athletic used two second-half scores to beat United 2-1 in 2023. Last season, meanwhile, was quite a disaster for New Mexico. Hartford won 4-0 with three of the goals coming in the first 26 minutes. 

Maybe it was the travel. So, will this time be different? United is 1-4 in road matches this season if you include the USL Cup.

4. DOING MORE WITH LESS: Unlike some other clubs 鈥� El Paso, Louisville, Oakland and San Antonio 鈥� Athletic hasn鈥檛 been known for its offensive prowess this season.

Hartford has scored just nine times in league play. It鈥檚 tied with Brooklyn FC for 23rd in the 25-team USL Championship. Monterey Bay FC is last with seven goals. United is tied for 18th with 11.

Athletic is also one of the lowest-shooting teams in the league. The club is tied for 18th with 104 shots, three behind New Mexico.

So, while Hartford may not be able to win in a shootout, it has stayed competitive thanks to its defense and goalkeeping. Antony Siaha has conceded 10 goals in 39 opportunities, but the Cameroonian has recorded four clean sheets, a number tied for fifth in the USL Championship. Only Tampa Bay (6), Detroit City, Orange County and San Antonio (5 each) have more.

Key matchup

United defender Ousman Jabang  vs. Athletic forward Augstine Williams

Jabang has seen an increase in his own offensive production since joining New Mexico last season. Of his six career goals, four have come with New Mexico. That includes two this season, which has him tied for second on the club. Jabang also leads United in interceptions (10), tackles (13) and duels won (40). Williams, meanwhile, paces Hartford with two goals while engaging in a club-high 113 duels. He鈥檚 won 55.

Player of the match

United forward Dayonn Harris

He missed a couple of prime scoring opportunities in the first half in last Saturday鈥檚 win over Charleston. But Harris might be due for a goal. He last scored against AV Alta FC on April 25 in the first match of the USL Cup. His other goal came on March 28 against Colorado Springs.

By the numbers

3-0: United鈥檚 record when it does score first. A small sample size, but it gets the point across.

13: The number of points United and Athletic have in the standings. New Mexico is eighth in the 12-club West. Hartford is seventh in the 13-club West.

4: The number of Western Conference clubs Athletic will face this season. United is second on the list. Athletic lost to FC Tulsa on May 22. 

2,624: The miles involved for Hartford鈥檚 longest road trip this season. Athletic will travel to Las Vegas on Sept. 19.

David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X .