ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Charleston Battery triumphed 1-2 over New Mexico United in the Black and Yellow Derby on Saturday at Isotopes Park. Charleston secured the three points thanks to the late heroics of Rubio Rubín’s match-winning goal in the 68th minute. The victory moved Charleston to the top of the USL Championship standings with 38 points.
Charleston and New Mexico kicked off the Black and Yellow Derby after an hour-long weather delay for storms in the area.
It was a relatively cagey and physical start to the match between two of the league’s top sides. Only three shots total were recorded through the midway point of the first half.
Houssou Landry was shown a yellow card in the 32nd minute, which triggered a one-game suspension for the Battery’s next match for caution accumulation. Yellow cards became more prevalent for New Mexico after the half-hour mark, with Marlon Vargas, Ousman Jabang and head coach Dennis Sanchez going into the book.
In the 39th minute, Charleston’s best chance to that point came after Emilio Ycaza broke free and led a charge down the left flank. Ycaza drew goalkeeper Alex Tambakis off his line and then cut his pass back across the face of goal to MD Myers crashing in, but Myers’ shot was blocked.
The match went into the interval tied at 0-0. Possession was even at roughly 50% each, but neither side managed to record a shot on target. Houssou tallied a game-high nine duels won in the first stanza.
Play resumed for the second half with both teams still looking for a breakthrough moment.
Charleston’s moment arrived in the 49th minute when the Battery forced an own goal by Ousman Jabang to make the score 0-1, silencing the crowd of over 11,000. Juan David Torres’ corner kick was met by Nathan Dossantos, and Jabang redirected Dossantos’ header to the net.
The own goal was the second such tally for the Battery in 2025.
New Mexico were granted a way back into the game in the 62nd minute when Marlon Vargas won a penalty by drawing a foul in the box against Aaron Molloy. Talen Maples converted from the spot a minute later, leveling the score at 1-1.
However, Charleston’s reinforcements around the hour mark – Cal Jennings, Rubio Rubín, Arturo Rodríguez – would prove to make an instant impact.
Rubín rose to the occasion and restored the Battery’s lead in the 68th minute with a header from inside the box. The play was initiated by Torres with a long free kick into the box to Jennings, and Jennings’ flick to Rubín was headed home by the Guatemala international to make the score 1-2.
The goal was Rubín’s first with the Battery and of the year. The assist was Jennings’ third of the season.
Charleston looked to seize the momentum after the go-ahead goal, with Molloy and Rubín recording shots shortly after.
New Mexico made a final push for a second goal in the dying embers of the match and forced goalkeeper Luis Zamudio to make a save in the 91st minute against Greg Hurst. Luiz Fernando hit the woodwork in the 96th minute for the hosts in their last shot of the night.
Charleston prevailed and secured the three points in the 1-2 victory over New Mexico, their third consecutive win in the Black and Yellow Derby.
The win propelled Charleston to first place in the USL Championship standings with a record of 12W-3L-2D (38pts).
Houssou Landry enjoyed a productive match in his return to his old stomping grounds, leading the match in tackles won (three), recoveries (11) duels won (13).
It was a notable night for Nathan Dossantos, who played in his 100th career game in the USL Championship regular season.
Charleston’s next match will be at home vs. Miami FC on Sat., July 19. Tickets for the East Coast clash are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, the club’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
Lineups:
NM: Tambakis, Seymore (Gloster, 64’), Maples, Jabang, Lindsey, Zelalem, Bailey (Pondeca, 76’), Fernando, Vargas (Rivas, 64’), Akale (Gaines, 76’), Amang (Hurst, 76’)
CHS: Zamudio, Dossantos, Akpunonu, Smith, Segbers (Rubín, 60’), Houssou, Molloy, Ycaza (Allan, 73’), Kelly (Rodriguez, 60’), Torres (Archer, 89’), Myers (Jennings, 60’)
Scoring Summary:
CHS - Ousman Jabang (Own Goal), 49'
CHS - Rubio Rubín, 68’ (Cal Jennings)