New Mexico United cruised past Phoenix Rising FC 2–0 at home on Saturday, with Greg Hurst and Jake LaCava finding the net to seal a comfortable victory in USL Championship play.

It took just seven minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock. Hurst latched onto a delivery from Valentin Noël and made no mistake, putting New Mexico ahead early and setting the tone for the contest. Phoenix's frustration surfaced almost immediately — Gunnar Studenthofft picked up a yellow card in the ninth minute as the visitors struggled to respond.

The second half brought more of the same. LaCava doubled the lead three minutes after the restart, and from there, Phoenix Rising never looked like mounting a comeback.

Instead, tempers flared. The 52nd minute saw a cluster of bookings — Dennis Sanchez for New Mexico, plus Jean Eric Moursou and head coach Pa-Modou Kah for Phoenix. LaCava, the goalscorer, was then cautioned in the 63rd minute. John Scearce followed him into the referee's notebook in the 59th minute, and Studenthofft picked up his second yellow in the 75th minute, though the official stopped short of showing a red — a fortunate escape that kept Phoenix at eleven men for the closing stages.

New Mexico managed the game well down the stretch, seeing out the shutout without any late scares. The defense held firm throughout, rarely troubled by a Phoenix attack that lacked ideas in the final third.

The win strengthens New Mexico United's position in the standings as the season enters its final stretch, while Phoenix Rising will need to regroup quickly after a disciplined and disjointed road performance.