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Valentin No毛l didn鈥檛 mind signing an autograph. Or two or three.

A jersey. A bandana. A scarf. A soccer ball. The Frenchman put a sharpie to each diligently and smiled as each fan walked away. 

鈥淵eah, of course,鈥� No毛l said when asked if he liked the extra attention.

It was hard to argue with the New Mexico United midfielder. At least, it was easy to see why he was a popular request. Certainly, after his contributions that led to a 4-0 win over Phoenix Rising FC in the third round of USL Cup group play Saturday. 

No毛l assisted on Ousman Jabang鈥檚 goal in the 53rd minute and then scored himself in the 70th minute. It was No毛l鈥檚 first goal of the season 鈥� between the regular season, U.S. Open Cup or USL Cup. 

It helped put United at six points in the Group 2 standings with El Paso Locomotive FC. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC clinched the group with nine points. The top seven teams from the seven groups and the No. 1 second-place team points-wise advance to the tournament鈥檚 knockout stage in August.

鈥淚 think every team that I鈥檝e been a part of, we want guys that can score 15, 20 goals over the course of the season,鈥� manager Dennis Sanchez said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e always seen and appreciate, and value having a wide range of goal scores, whether that鈥檚, again defenders off centerbacks or arriving, variation in our front line. I think the more that we can spread it out, it just makes it difficult for teams.鈥�

Just ask Rising, which embarrassed United with a 3-0 win in Phoenix in a regular-season match on April 11. 

New Mexico appeared eager to return the favor.

Niall Reid-Stephen found the back of the net for United in the first minute of stoppage time to close the first half Saturday. Jabang followed suit in the second half, and then No毛l, and then Dayonn Harris in the 85th minute.

鈥淚 feel like 鈥� when you smell blood, it鈥檚 like, 鈥極K 鈥� it鈥檚 coming. It鈥檚 coming,鈥欌�� No毛l said.

Oh, United did. Especially in the second half. Goal by goal.

The only thing No毛l forgot to do? Celebrate accordingly. No dance. No overt showing off. No diving around the pitch. Instead, he opted to keep it simple 鈥� for a reason.

鈥淚 was cooked,鈥� No毛l said with a grin. 鈥淚 was really tired. When you play that many minutes and you run a lot, that takes physically a lot out of you. 鈥� I did not have the energy to run around the field even if I wanted to.鈥�

No worries. No毛l took care of what he needed to.

Although he wouldn鈥檛 mind making those kinds of contributions again, whether in the USL Cup or the regular season, such as the June 13 match against Orange County SC.

 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I鈥檓 seeking,鈥� No毛l said. 鈥淚鈥檓 trying to help the team in any way I can. Every game I start, I want to score, I want to help the team. Every time I step on the field I try to give all I have and it鈥檚 been a while that I contributed on the scoresheet, so happy to do it, finally. Now, it鈥檚 doing it again.鈥�

And if he does? Best to keep some sharpies on hand.

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