New Mexico United ground out a 1–0 victory over Charleston Battery in a testy USL Championship clash on Friday night, with Kipp Keller's 81st-minute strike proving the difference.

The first half offered little in the way of goals but plenty of needle. Zico Bailey picked up a booking in the 36th minute for New Mexico, and Charleston's Miguel Berry followed him into the referee's notebook three minutes later. The teams went into the break scoreless.

Tensions continued to simmer after halftime. Ousman Jabang was cautioned in the 65th minute, and Charleston center back Nathan Messer was booked a minute later as the match threatened to boil over. Neither side could find a breakthrough amid the growing frustration — until Keller intervened.

With nine minutes remaining, the defender latched onto a delivery from Niko Hämäläinen and found the net to break the deadlock. It was the kind of late moment that turns tight, scrappy games into three points.

Charleston pushed for an equalizer, but New Mexico showed no interest in letting them back in. Greg Hurst was yellow-carded two minutes after the goal, and Kristopher Shakes joined him in the book in the 88th minute as the hosts did whatever was necessary to protect their lead. Gedion Zelalem picked up a fifth yellow for New Mexico deep into stoppage time, capping a fractious night that saw seven cards shown across both teams.

The win gives New Mexico United a valuable three points at home and continues their push up the USL Championship standings as the season approaches its midway point.