Daniel Bruce and the resurgence of New Mexico United

How an unexpected choice at striker changed the game in Albuquerque

On June 10th, New Mexico United’s Daniel Bruce got his first start of the season in the last match before Eric Quill was hired at manager. New Mexico lost that game by a 3-2 score against Tampa Bay, but it was the start of something bigger. Since then, Bruce has three goals and an assist, and New Mexico have soared from 10th place in the West up to 7th.

Quill, Bruce, and company have a game in hand on every team beneath them in the table; nobody in the USL has played fewer matches than New Mexico. More importantly, they’re on torrid form, having won the expected goals (xG) battle in each of their last three matches and pushed their running xG margin well above water in the process.

The tactical changes instituted by Quill have mattered, and Bruce’s deployment is a revealing lens into them. A right winger or full back by trade, #25 made six substitute appearances in the league and two Open Cup starts out wide before his recent turn as a No. 9.

Bruce has been a member of New Mexico’s roster since 2019, making more than 100 appearances in yellow and black. Before 2023, 43 of those outings were starts, and all but two came on the wing; the exceptions were stints as a defensive midfielder. This context makes the Englishman’s forward turn all the more remarkable.

Still, Bruce now ranks in the 81st percentile for all forwards in terms of xG per match, and he’s also in the 76th percentile for xG per shot. Those numbers illustrate that #25 is finding dangerous areas as a runner and doing so with regularity. Bruce has also chipped in above-average creation numbers.

During his starting stint up top, Quill has turned towards a consistent four-at-the-back formation, most often taking the look of a 4-3-3. This shape has lent New Mexico much more fluidity and interchange in their forward line while also bolstering their aggression in the press. The numbers - see 29th percentile defensive actions - don’t necessarily reflect Bruce’s role in that change, but he’s been a key figure in the revamped style that leans more heavily into high pressure

It’s useful to turn to the tape to see how this team has changed in both attack and defense.

New Mexico has lacked offensive variation for much of 2023, relying on Amando Moreno to do it all in the final third. However, Zach Prince varied between a 4-2-3-1 with very deep and therefore unsupportive full backs or a back three look that narrowed Moreno out as a more central player. You see that struggle above; Moreno, working off of full back Harry Swartz, gets a touch and cuts inside, but his layoff goes wanting without timely runs from the rest of his side.

Moreno is a brilliant player, but he can’t drive an offense alone. The Salvadoran had just two goals and one assist on the year as recently as June 18th. More generally, New Mexico suffered injuries and inconsistency in the final third early on. Cristian Nava went down for the year after a single match, and Chris Wehan has only participated in a quarter of available minutes.

Both Josh Dolling and Greg Hurst, two star signings at the No. 9 spot, have underwhelmed. Dolling was eventually loaned out this month, capturing the problem. Take a look at the clip above once more; the striker is doing next to nothing to stretch the defense with a run behind or to make himself available as a viable passing outlet.

That same vein of timidity and disconnection extended into the press. You'll see a defensive sequence above from Bruce’s first match atop the 4-3-3, but note how no players commit to a hard close-down. Because that formation can skew narrow unless the wingers and central midfielders are connected, the opposition is able to work down the flank and isolate the New Mexico right back.

Still, the issues start up top.

Compare that play to this example from last weekend’s match. New Mexico remains in their 4-3-3, situated in deep block against a restart this time around. Still, note the difference in aggression and communication. Both Sergio Rivas and Nicky Hernandez step up in the central midfield, allowing Swartz - playing as the right winger - to address a wide threat.

Because of that hard-nosed style, the guests lack passing options, and a turnover ensues. This is where defense turns into offense. Bruce makes a split-second run in behind, drawing the opposing center backs in his direction. A lane opens for Moreno at the weak post, and two dangerous shots ensue; New Mexico would score on the corner kick earned in this sequence.

This is what Bruce and, by extension, Swartz give you in the forward line. Both are capable as full backs, and their positioning without possession is pristine. Bruce, as a striker in this setting, also comes with a real sense for movement and good acceleration, both of which are valuable in transition.

New Mexico’s enhanced ability to get out on the counter has also bolstered Moreno. The long-time star in Albuquerque has four goals and an assist since the Quill era began.

Bruce’s ability to drop lower and link offensive play also sets him apart and puts the cherry on top of the refreshed Quill offense. Things start at the base of the midfield with Justin Portillo, who leads the club with 23 key passes in 2023 thanks to his set piece mastery.

In this case, Portillo drops to the level of the center backs to drive build-up. In doing so, he lets the two center backs spread wider and forces the opposing midfield to step up higher. Portillo demands attention as a passer and creates space simply by receiving the ball. When #43 links with a defender and Hernandez to beat the press, New Mexico is off to the races into that space.

Watch Bruce after the entrance into the attacking zone. He isn’t asked to be a typical No. 9. Instead, the Englishman comes into the midfield, dragging one defender with him. Bruce is replaced by a high-flying run from Hernandez that sends the rest of the defense into a tizzy.

All the while, Swartz and Moreno lurk in the channels, with the latter receiving the ball in the box to earn a shot. It’s a lovely bit off team soccer, and it’s inspired by Quill’s tactical innovations and clever player deployments.

Daniel Bruce is the chief example of that overhaul, and he’ll continue to be crucial down the stretch. Now five games unbeaten, New Mexico United have the look of a team on the rise, and if they soar into a home playoff match, they’ll have Bruce’s transformation and the vision of Eric Quill to thank.