New Mexico United Beat Colorado Springs 4-0 to Reach Western Conference Final as Hurst Scores Twice
Greg Hurst scored twice and set a club single season record of 15 Championship goals as No. 1 seed New Mexico United beat Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 4-0 in Albuquerque on Saturday night to reach a second straight Western Conference Final.
Key points
- No. 1 seed New Mexico United beat No. 5 seed Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 4-0 on Saturday night, November 7, 2026, in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2026 USL Championship Playoffs.
- Charlie Dennis opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, after just 91 seconds, finishing a low cross from Joseph Melto at the back post.
- United goalkeeper Kris Shakes protected the lead in between, smothering a 36th minute effort from Khori Bennett of Colorado Springs.
No. 1 seed New Mexico United beat No. 5 seed Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 4-0 on Saturday night, November 7, 2026, in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2026 USL Championship Playoffs. The match was played at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before 8,591 fans, and United led 3-0 at halftime.
Ninety one seconds to the first goal
Charlie Dennis opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, after just 91 seconds, finishing a low cross from Joseph Melto at the back post. It was the fastest goal New Mexico has scored this season. Greg Hurst made it 2-0 in the 29th minute from an Ousman Jabang assist, and Hurst scored again in the 44th minute, a minute before halftime, after Cam Wilkerson worked his way into the penalty area.
United goalkeeper Kris Shakes protected the lead in between, smothering a 36th minute effort from Khori Bennett of Colorado Springs.
A club record for Hurst
Hurst finished the night with two goals, four shots and one chance created, and he was named the USL Championship Playoffs Player of the Game. His two goals took him to 15 goals in the Championship this season, a club single season record, and to three goals in this postseason.
Melto closed the scoring in the 71st minute. Melto had already set up the opening goal, so the winger ended the semifinal with a goal and an assist.
Colorado Springs run ends
Colorado Springs took 18 shots but put only three on target. The defeat ended a club record 10 game undefeated streak, and it ended the Switchbacks season.
New Mexico has now recorded three consecutive shutout wins and has won five of its last six matches. United is also undefeated against Colorado Springs in 11 meetings at Isotopes Park, with nine wins and two draws.
Sacramento comes to Albuquerque next
The win sends New Mexico into a second consecutive Western Conference Final. In the other semifinal on Saturday night, No. 2 seed Sacramento Republic FC beat No. 3 seed El Paso Locomotive FC 2-1, so New Mexico will host Sacramento in the Western Conference Final at Isotopes Park.
By the numbers
The final score was New Mexico United 4, Colorado Springs 0, and the halftime score was 3-0. The scorers were Dennis in the 2nd minute, Hurst in the 29th and 44th minutes, and Melto in the 71st minute. Attendance was 8,591.
Timeline
- Nov 7, 2026Charlie Dennis scores in the 2nd minute, after 91 seconds, to give New Mexico United a 1-0 lead over Colorado Springs in Albuquerque.
- Nov 7, 2026Greg Hurst scores in the 29th minute from an Ousman Jabang assist to make it 2-0.
- Nov 7, 2026Hurst scores again in the 44th minute, and New Mexico leads 3-0 at halftime.
- Nov 7, 2026Joseph Melto scores in the 71st minute to complete a 4-0 win.
- Nov 7, 2026New Mexico United advances to a second consecutive Western Conference Final and will host Sacramento Republic FC.