UNM (0-0) at UCLA (0-0) Men’s Soccer

After 3 Preseason games where the Lobos went 2-0-1, they will start the regular season on the road against UCLA, last year’s National Runner-up. This is a rematch of last year’s regular season game where UCLA came into Albuquerque and won 2-1, even though the Lobos controlled the game as they out shot UCLA 18 to 3 and had 8 corners to the Bruin’s 2. The Lobos are going to try to repay the favor when they go into Los Angeles tonight for a game they aren’t expected to win which should benefit the Lobos by allowing them to play loose. New Mexico must attack and put pressure on UCLA and give themselves opportunities to have more chances than UCLA. The young Lobos must grow up fast and it starts tonight.

The key players for New Mexico tonight are Chris Wehan and Niko Hansen. The two juniors need to put pressure on the UCLA back line and put in at least one goal tonight for New Mexico to have a chance to pull off the upset. I expect Coach Fishbein to move Wehan around to find holes in the UCLA Midfield and Defense and give different looks to the Lobos Attack. For me, the two key matchups for New Mexico to upset UCLA are the Lobos Back line against Forward star Abu Danladi and Michael Amrick and the rest of UCLA’s Back Line against the Lobos attack. Whichever Back Line plays better will win this game.

The odds I would put the odds of the Lobos winning this game at 35 to 40% and the odds of coming back to Albuquerque with a least a draw Draw at 50%. I predict a 2-2 draw that has a lot of great moments and a few great goals. This will be a game that you do not want to miss.

 

Game Info:

In Los Angeles

At UCLA Drake Stadium

Game Time: 8/29/15 at 5 PM MT

TV: Pac12 Network