New Mexico United vs Atlante FC

Atlante struck first in the 19th minute when Walter Portales found the net to put the visitors ahead. New Mexico responded emphatically late in the first half. Greg Hurst levelled in the 37th minute with a finish into the top-right corner, and three minutes later Joseph Melto — making his season debut after recovering from injury — scored his first goal for the club from a Cristian Nava cross to give United a 2-1 halftime lead.

"I've been waiting for this moment," Melto said post-match, as reported by the Albuquerque Journal. "I've been praying, and everything worked out the way it worked out."

Atlante drew level in the 63rd minute when Luis Puente slotted home. Two minutes later, Puente received a second yellow card and was sent off. The decision sparked chaos on the Atlante bench.

Atlante manager Miguel Herrera — the former Mexico and Costa Rica national team coach — was shown a straight red card in the 66th minute after furiously protesting Puente's dismissal. Herrera, known as "El Piojo," refused to leave the field initially, causing a five-minute delay before eventually watching the remainder of the match from the third-base dugout.

"I don't speak Spanish, but it didn't look pleasant," New Mexico head coach Dennis Sanchez said of the incident, per the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Despite being down a man, Atlante took a 3-2 lead in the 88th minute through Joaquin Moxica. But the drama was not finished.

Winston Starr (New Mexico United) — The La Cueva High School senior and 2025-26 New Mexico Gatorade Boys Soccer Player of the Year scored the 89th-minute equaliser in his hometown, sparking wild celebrations. Starr joined the NMU Academy at age 13 and was at the club's inaugural match at Isotopes Park in 2019.

"I was here at the first ever New Mexico United game as a kid, and I always wanted to be on this field representing this state," Starr said post-match via USL Championship.

Joseph Melto (New Mexico United) — In his first appearance of the season, the 21-year-old forward scored the goal that put United ahead before half-time. A University of Dayton product and 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick by Toronto FC, Melto had been limited to just two appearances in his pro career due to injuries before signing with New Mexico in February.

Greg Hurst (New Mexico United) — The experienced forward delivered the equaliser that sparked United's first-half revival, finishing clinically into the top corner.

The match was defined not by territorial dominance but by its relentless rhythm. New Mexico scored twice in a three-minute first-half spell (37', 40') to flip the match after falling behind. The four-second-half goals — two from each side — included an equaliser, a go-ahead goal, and a stoppage-time (89') response from United.

The penalty shootout saw Tyler Blackett miss for New Mexico (hit the post) while Atlante converted all five of their attempts. The 6,720 in attendance — a strong midweek crowd for a friendly — were treated to an open, end-to-end contest that produced six goals and two red cards.

For New Mexico United, the friendly was a mid-season tune-up after an 11-day break for a mandated USL Championship mental health break. The USL side is unbeaten in its last five contests and sits fifth in the Western Conference table. The real business resumes on Saturday, July 4, when they host third-placed Oakland Roots SC.

"I love the guys' response tonight, going down really twice in the game and responding right away," Sanchez said via USL Championship. "I think 3-3 is probably a pretty fair result for everybody tonight."

For Atlante FC, recently promoted back to Mexico's top flight after 12 years in Liga de Expansión MX, this was a pre-season friendly ahead of their Liga MX campaign starting July 16. Herrera's red card and the competitive edge on display suggest the "friendly" label was taken lightly.

"Defensively, we've been relatively sound over the past four to six weeks," Sanchez added, "but now we need to get back to what we showcased last season with the ball."

A friendly on paper, a thriller in practice. New Mexico's depth — especially Melto and Starr — gave Sanchez selection questions he will welcome ahead of a crucial league fixture. Atlante's intensity, even in pre-season, and Herrera's fireworks ensured this was anything but a training exercise. The 3-3 scoreline was just.