**New Mexico's home turf meet a Phoenix side that's actually built some momentum** — this is exactly the kind playoff-round toss-up that can go either way. 🏟️

New Mexico have been stuck in neutral with three draws in five, while Phoenix just rattled off a win over FC Tulsa to close out their stretch. Head-to-head, Phoenix edge the long-term record here, but New Mexico's ground advantage at Rio Grande Credit Union Field should matter.

Key storylines:

- **G. Hurst and the New Mexico attack** need to break out of their underperformance — no wins in the last five is a real problem at home
- **D. Badji and I. Sacko** will be Phoenix's outlets on the counter; they've shown they can finish when chances come
- **K. Shakes in goal** will face a Phoenix side that's scored recently, making his distribution and footwork crucial in a tight contest

Expected lineups:

- **New Mexico United**: K. Shakes, K. Keller, C. Gloster, Z. Bailey, Niko Hämäläinen, O. Jabang, J. Quiah, D. Harris, C. Dennis, N. Reid-Stephen, G. Hurst
- **Phoenix Rising FC**: P. Rakovsky, D. Flores, P. M. Boye, R. Czichos, C. Smith, J. Scearce, J. E. Moursou, J. Torres, D. Gómez, I. Sacko, D. Badji

Prediction: **1-1**. Both teams have looked shaky defensively; a draw feels like the lean here. 🔄