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Usually a calculated and stoic figure post-match, Dennis Sachez admitted New Mexico United鈥檚 trip home would certainly be on the lighter side.

Chances are the rest of his coaching staff and the players will make sure of it judging from their postgame reactions on the pitch that no doubt carried into the dressing room.

At least until the club arrives back in sa国际传媒官网网页入口.

鈥淚 think the key of the season is not to get too high or too low and I think this team is capable of more steps, and it鈥檚 my job to guide them and remind them and give them belief,鈥� the manager said after Saturday鈥檚 1-0 win at Sacramento Republic FC. 

鈥淏ut yes, we鈥檙e going to enjoy tonight. Then we鈥檒l get back to work on Monday.鈥�

Why not for a few hours? Another lack of a multi-goal game can wait for another day. After all, it鈥檚 not very often United comes away with three points in Sacramento. Not since a 2-1 victory in July 2019.

Since then, New Mexico has gone 0-5-2 in the California capital, a stretch that鈥檚 also included being knocked out of the playoffs three times. Overall, Republic FC has outscored United 12-4 in those seven matches. (Both draws finished 0-0.)

That was until Saturday.

United (5-4-3) now heads into its multi-week break from USL Championship play on a five-match unbeaten streak and fifth in the 12-team Western Conference standings with 18 points, three shy of second place. New Mexico will not play again until an international friendly against Liga MX side Atlante FC on July 1 followed by a USL match against Oakland Roots SC three days later. Both contests are at home.

鈥淭he past is the past and this is a new team,鈥� Sanchez said of snapping the club鈥檚 winless streak in Sacramento. 鈥淧ersonally, I have an awareness of it, but at the same time, we鈥檙e in a different place. I鈥檓 happy with where the group鈥檚 at and where we鈥檙e going. Now, it鈥檚 just a matter of improving some small details. 

鈥淏ut listen, this isn鈥檛 an easy place to play.鈥�

Republic FC (4-4-4) came into the match with a 3-1-1 home record. It鈥檚 gone 1-0-1 in such contests in the USL Cup. Sacramento also leads the league in reported average attendance with a little more than 9,600 fans. United is fourth with a little more than 8,500.

Dayonn Harris and Ousman Jabang helped quiet that home crowd. They got a little help from Republic FC goalkeeper Daniel Vitiello, too, in what ended up being an odd series of plays in the 73rd minute.

There was Jabang fighting off a couple of defenders, only to chip a pass over the midfield line to Harris in stride on the right side. But Vitello chose to challenge Harris almost 40 yards out of the net. It left Harris with an easy and open shot, distance and all. He took it. The ball took one bounce and went into the back of the net.

It was the lone mistake that otherwise spoiled a match where the goalkeeping took the spotlight. Vitiello finished with three saves. Kris Shakes, his United counterpart, ended with four.

鈥淵eah, (I was surprised),鈥� Sanchez said of Vitello鈥檚 decision. 鈥淒anny is one of the top keepers in the league, so I鈥檓 sure he鈥檇 want that one back. 鈥� Look, we鈥檒l take it and why we have guys like Dayonn.鈥�

Yes, United will. After all, a win heading into its break is certainly better than each of the two alternatives. The players let that be known.

鈥淭he guys are happy,鈥� Sanchez said. 鈥淚t was a gritty performance. They put in a good shift tonight.鈥�

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