ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a moment that will live in New Mexico United history, Dayonn Harris delivered a stoppage-time stunner to seal a 2-1 victory over Orange County and send the club to its first-ever Western Conference Final in the USL Championship.
With the score tied 1-1 and the clock ticking past the 93rd minute, Harris found space just inside the box after a clever layoff from Valentin Noël. The midfielder, who returned midseason from a torn ACL, fired a left-footed shot that deflected off the fingertips of Orange County goalkeeper Colin Shutler and into the top-left corner of the net.
The crowd of 10,150 at Isotopes Park erupted. Smoke rose from the stands, scarves waved, and fans roared as Harris sprinted toward the corner flag in celebration. “I kind of blacked out,” Harris said after the match. “Goals like that, some players don’t get many of those in their career. I was just trying to savor it.”
United had taken the lead earlier in the second half when Greg Hurst followed up his own rebound off the post to score his eighth goal of the season. Orange County equalized in the 68th minute with a volley from Malik Pinto off a corner kick.
But Harris had the final word.
New Mexico United now travels to Oklahoma to face top-seeded FC Tulsa in the Western Conference Final. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
