In terms of a redemption narrative, you could hardly have written a script more incredible for New Mexico United’s Talen Maples.

At the center of one of the most bizarre penalty kicks you’ll ever see seven days earlier as United fell on the road against Memphis 901 FC, the center back was entrusted with a spot kick in second-half stoppage time on Saturday night that had the potential to both preserve New Mexico’s perfect record at Isotopes Park this season, and extend the club’s lead at the top of the USL Championship’s Western Conference standings.

In a situation where some teammates had come up short previously this season, the 25-year-old was the coolest head in the building.

His low shot to the bottom-right corner as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC goalkeeper Christian Herrera went the opposite way earned the hosts a 1-0 victory after a tension-filled meeting before 10,176 fans.

Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis produced a five-save shutout, including a crucial 15th-minute stop on Ronaldo Damus as the Haitian international split the center back pairing to break in on goal. He also made a pair of saves a minute apart on the half-hour mark to deny Lacriox and Maalique Foster.

The Switchbacks outshot their hosts by a 16-8 margin as they tried to extend their own nine-game undefeated streak with Damus also denied by a goal line clearance just before halftime by Anthony Herbert, but the visitors were unable to find a way through, held scoreless for the first time since April 13.

“He’s a beast,” said Maples of Tambakis. “He’s amazing. He’s one of the guys that, you just know he’s going to have a good game. I’ve yet to see him have a bad game. And he’s a good guy with his feet. He’s a great leader. He’s just perfect, you know?”

The pressure the Switchbacks presented illustrated the target New Mexico has now built for itself as one of the top sides in the Western Conference, now sitting three points ahead of Sacramento Republic FC with one fewer game played as the season nears the midway point.

“We're not taking anybody by surprise,” said Quill. “So, that’s what I’m most proud of – that’s a hot team, and we took care of business. [The Switchbacks are] a quality side. That was not an easy game. I’m proud of the grit and determination to find a way.”

As the season continues to build, the pressure will continue to rise for a United side unaccustomed to this position – no longer the loveable underdog, but a frontrunner in their conference.

This time, Maples and his teammates showed they were up for the task.

“It’s just one of those nights where sometimes the ball just doesn’t fall for you,” he said. “I was just happy to do my job and just win us a game.”