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Saturday's match
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas
TV/streaming/radio: New Mexico 50/ESPN+/FM-101.7
USL Cup records: New Mexico United (2-1), El Paso Locomotive FC (2-1)
The series: United leads 7-6-8.
The regular season is again on pause for the USL Championship and USL League One. And you know what that means: the USL Cup.
New Mexico United plays at El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday.
Here are some things to note:
Free kicks
1. SURVIVE AND ADVANCE? The USL Cup group stage is coming to an end. Saturday marks the fourth and final match of this part of the tournament.
The seven group winners and one second-place club will advance to the knockout rounds that begin Aug. 12. And, so far, two of those spots have already been secured.
Colorado Springs clinched Group 2, the same group United and Locomotive are a part of. Tampa Bay Rowdies won Group 7.
Both United and Locomotive, however, can still earn the lone, coveted second-place spot— put a question mark on that. Do clubs actually value continuing on in the event?
The wildcard to move on is decided by whichever non-group winner has the most points in the standings. If teams are tied, then the main tiebreaker goes to most goals scored, not goal differential. (A bit backwards, we know.)
New Mexico and El Paso have six points each, two of eight clubs with at least that many points. Although, some of how each would move on is rather vague.
United can advance with a “high-scoring victory in regulation as well as a regulation victory for either Charleston Battery or Charlotte Independence in Group 6.” What a high-scoring victory means isn’t clear — at all.
Locomotive could move on should it come through with a “a high-scoring win and a regulation victory for either Charleston Battery or Charlotte Independence.”
So, yeah … do with that information what you will.
2. FÚTBOL IS LIFE: If you’ve watched “Ted Lasso,” you’ve definitely heard that quote. You’ve probably said it, too. After all, it became the catch phrase of Richmond AFC striker Dani Rojas.
Well, fans tuned into the United-Locomotive match might get to see Rojas — played by Cristo Fernández — on a real soccer pitch. The key word here being might.
Fernández was signed by Locomotive on May 12.
The thing is, the forward has not appeared in a single match for El Paso, which has played eight contests since. But according to multiple reports coming out of Texas, Fernández could make his club debut Saturday.
3. TRYING TO LEAVE THE INFIRMARY: New Mexico hasn’t been dealing with too many injuries of late. But the club is still waiting on some notable contributors to return.
Forward Niall Reid-Stephen has missed the last three matches with an MCL sprain, while forward/defender Jake LaCava has been out since May 30 with a broken toe. Reid-Stephen is United’s leader in regular-season goals with three.
Manager Dennis Sanchez did not provide a timeline on their return other than to say if New Mexico was playing for a USL Championship title, “it would be a different story.” But Sanchez also doesn’t see a reason to rush the two back with the club on a six-match unbeaten streak.
United did, however, get midfielder Valentine Noël back for last weekend’s 2-1 win over Oakland Roots SC. Noël missed four matches with a hamstring issue.
4. OH, RUBIO: As has been the case the first two times United played Locomotive this season, limiting Rubio Rubín offensively will be key.
The forward leads El Paso with eight of the club’s 25 regular-season goals, good for sixth in the USL Championship. He’s tacked on another two in the U.S. Open Cup.
Rubín has also scored twice against United — in Locomotive’s 4-0 rout in the U.S. Cup on April 1 and the clubs’ 2-2 draw on May 6.
Key matchup
United forward Dayonn Harris vs. Locomotive keeper Abraham Romero
Harris has been getting quite a few chances to score recently. He just hasn’t always been successful in finding the back of the net. The forward has two regular-season goals in 13 appearances. The USL Cup is a different matter. Of United’s three matches, Harris has scored twice. Romero, meanwhile, has saved just 39% of the shots he’s faced.
Player of the match
United keeper Kris Shakes
It’s a single-match week for United, so that means Shakes is the likely candidate to start in goal. (Sanchez has been known to swap keepers defending on the importance of the match with Shakes giving way to Raiko Arozarena.) El Paso, though, can score. The club’s 25 regular-season goals are tied for second in the league. Shakes has four regular-season clean sheets.
By the numbers
4: United’s winless streak against Locomotive. New Mexico’s last win in the series was March 22, 2025.
6: United’s goals scored in the USL Cup. El Paso has five.
2-3-2: Locomotive’s home record across all competitions.
0: The number of consecutive road matches United has won this season. The club last won on the road on June 20.
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
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Nava is healthy and making the most of his chance to showcase his quality for NM United
Albuquerque native has made key plays since entering lineup and enjoying 'every single second of it'
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Matchday: Oakland Roots SC at New Mexico United
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*
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La Cueva graduate and NMU academy player made the most of his minutes against Atlante FC
*
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*
Match day: Atlante FC at New Mexico United
NMU will see if it can start an international friendly win streak
*
NM United loans out Vargas for remainder of season
Midfielder sent to USL League One side Union Omaha
*
'There's gotta be a specialness': A look at how NM United goes about securing an international friendly
NMU will host Liga MX side Atlante FC in club's latest edition
*
NM United hoping to make most of its break, even if timing isn't ideal
NMU currently on 5-match unbeaten streak to put itself in top half of USL West standings
Continue reading...
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas
TV/streaming/radio: New Mexico 50/ESPN+/FM-101.7
USL Cup records: New Mexico United (2-1), El Paso Locomotive FC (2-1)
The series: United leads 7-6-8.
The regular season is again on pause for the USL Championship and USL League One. And you know what that means: the USL Cup.
New Mexico United plays at El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday.
Here are some things to note:
Free kicks
1. SURVIVE AND ADVANCE? The USL Cup group stage is coming to an end. Saturday marks the fourth and final match of this part of the tournament.
The seven group winners and one second-place club will advance to the knockout rounds that begin Aug. 12. And, so far, two of those spots have already been secured.
Colorado Springs clinched Group 2, the same group United and Locomotive are a part of. Tampa Bay Rowdies won Group 7.
Both United and Locomotive, however, can still earn the lone, coveted second-place spot— put a question mark on that. Do clubs actually value continuing on in the event?
The wildcard to move on is decided by whichever non-group winner has the most points in the standings. If teams are tied, then the main tiebreaker goes to most goals scored, not goal differential. (A bit backwards, we know.)
New Mexico and El Paso have six points each, two of eight clubs with at least that many points. Although, some of how each would move on is rather vague.
United can advance with a “high-scoring victory in regulation as well as a regulation victory for either Charleston Battery or Charlotte Independence in Group 6.” What a high-scoring victory means isn’t clear — at all.
Locomotive could move on should it come through with a “a high-scoring win and a regulation victory for either Charleston Battery or Charlotte Independence.”
So, yeah … do with that information what you will.
2. FÚTBOL IS LIFE: If you’ve watched “Ted Lasso,” you’ve definitely heard that quote. You’ve probably said it, too. After all, it became the catch phrase of Richmond AFC striker Dani Rojas.
Well, fans tuned into the United-Locomotive match might get to see Rojas — played by Cristo Fernández — on a real soccer pitch. The key word here being might.
Fernández was signed by Locomotive on May 12.
The thing is, the forward has not appeared in a single match for El Paso, which has played eight contests since. But according to multiple reports coming out of Texas, Fernández could make his club debut Saturday.
3. TRYING TO LEAVE THE INFIRMARY: New Mexico hasn’t been dealing with too many injuries of late. But the club is still waiting on some notable contributors to return.
Forward Niall Reid-Stephen has missed the last three matches with an MCL sprain, while forward/defender Jake LaCava has been out since May 30 with a broken toe. Reid-Stephen is United’s leader in regular-season goals with three.
Manager Dennis Sanchez did not provide a timeline on their return other than to say if New Mexico was playing for a USL Championship title, “it would be a different story.” But Sanchez also doesn’t see a reason to rush the two back with the club on a six-match unbeaten streak.
United did, however, get midfielder Valentine Noël back for last weekend’s 2-1 win over Oakland Roots SC. Noël missed four matches with a hamstring issue.
4. OH, RUBIO: As has been the case the first two times United played Locomotive this season, limiting Rubio Rubín offensively will be key.
The forward leads El Paso with eight of the club’s 25 regular-season goals, good for sixth in the USL Championship. He’s tacked on another two in the U.S. Open Cup.
Rubín has also scored twice against United — in Locomotive’s 4-0 rout in the U.S. Cup on April 1 and the clubs’ 2-2 draw on May 6.
Key matchup
United forward Dayonn Harris vs. Locomotive keeper Abraham Romero
Harris has been getting quite a few chances to score recently. He just hasn’t always been successful in finding the back of the net. The forward has two regular-season goals in 13 appearances. The USL Cup is a different matter. Of United’s three matches, Harris has scored twice. Romero, meanwhile, has saved just 39% of the shots he’s faced.
Player of the match
United keeper Kris Shakes
It’s a single-match week for United, so that means Shakes is the likely candidate to start in goal. (Sanchez has been known to swap keepers defending on the importance of the match with Shakes giving way to Raiko Arozarena.) El Paso, though, can score. The club’s 25 regular-season goals are tied for second in the league. Shakes has four regular-season clean sheets.
By the numbers
4: United’s winless streak against Locomotive. New Mexico’s last win in the series was March 22, 2025.
6: United’s goals scored in the USL Cup. El Paso has five.
2-3-2: Locomotive’s home record across all competitions.
0: The number of consecutive road matches United has won this season. The club last won on the road on June 20.
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
More New Mexico United reading
*
A nice ring: Noël made most of NM United's break by proposing
NMU midfielder popped the question to now-fiancée Kate Levitt on June 26
*
Starr, Mata latest to sign academy contracts with NM United
Albuquerque natives now eligible to play for NMU's first team
*
Nava is healthy and making the most of his chance to showcase his quality for NM United
Albuquerque native has made key plays since entering lineup and enjoying 'every single second of it'
*
Matchday: Oakland Roots SC at New Mexico United
NMU looks to carry first-half momentum into second half of season
*
Winston Starr grew up an NMU fan, now he's scoring goals for them
La Cueva graduate and NMU academy player made the most of his minutes against Atlante FC
*
NM United's Melto finally got an opportunity and he took it
NMU forward scores in his season debut in draw against Atlante FC
*
Match day: Atlante FC at New Mexico United
NMU will see if it can start an international friendly win streak
*
NM United loans out Vargas for remainder of season
Midfielder sent to USL League One side Union Omaha
*
'There's gotta be a specialness': A look at how NM United goes about securing an international friendly
NMU will host Liga MX side Atlante FC in club's latest edition
*
NM United hoping to make most of its break, even if timing isn't ideal
NMU currently on 5-match unbeaten streak to put itself in top half of USL West standings
Continue reading...
