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Apr. 15—U.S. Open Cup: El Paso Locomotive FC at New Mexico United, UNM Soccer Stadium, 7:30 p.m., 101.7 FM, Golazo Network (streaming)
The unexpected is always part of the U.S. Open Cup's appeal.
Such is even true of Wednesday's third-round matchup between New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive FC — two clubs that know each other exceedingly well.
How many surprises can there really be? It seems a fair question considering Locomotive FC will be making its third visit to Albuquerque in less than two months. United and the Locos met for a preseason match on March 1 and NMU pulled out a 1-0 regular-season win March 22 at Isotopes Park.
If that's not enough, New Mexico will travel to El Paso's Southwest University Park on May 3.
Still, Wednesday's Open Cup matchup at UNM Soccer Stadium will be different. USL Championship teams frequently employ unusual lineups for early round Open Cup contests, and El Paso, in particular, figures to test its depth a bit this time. The Locos played Sunday in Birmingham, Alabama and travel to Colorado Springs on Saturday to conclude a grueling week on the road.
By comparison, United has things fairly easy playing across the street from its usual home stadium. NMU took a hard-fought 1-0 win over North Carolina FC on Saturday at Isotopes Park and has a weekend off after Wednesday's match before hosting Monterey Bay FC.
Asked about preparation for facing El Paso yet again, United coach Dennis Sanchez was all business.
"Rest and recover (Sunday) then start preparing," Sanchez said after Saturday's match. "We have an extra day compared to El Paso, so no excuses. We'll be ready to go."
While New Mexico has the advantages of playing at home and a more favorable schedule, U.S. Open matches are notorious for producing surprises or "Cupsets." Three USL Championship clubs (Lexington SC, Hartford Athletic and Monterey Bay FC) that entered the tournament in round two were knocked out by lower-tier clubs. The remaining 16 USLC clubs enter in round three.
United, which knocked out MLS Real Salt Lake and advanced to the Open Cup quarterfinals last season before falling to MLS Los Angeles FC, is hoping to start another deep tournament run against its archrival. It's the first time NMU and the Locos have met in an Open Cup match.
"The U.S. Open Cup is a special tournament," NMU co-captain Kalen Ryden said, "and playing our rival will just make it that much more special when we win. We're looking forward to the challenge."
INSURANCE POLICY: United shored up its goalkeeper corps Wednesday, signing Albuquerque's Ford Parker to the roster. Parker, a former University of New Mexico goalkeeper, played for NMU in 2022 and '23, making four USLC appearances and two U.S. Open Cup starts. Parker played last season for South Georgia Tormenta FC in USL League One.
Parker will back up Alex Tambakis and Kris Shakes on NMU's roster. Tambakis posted his third straight clean sheet in Saturday's win over North Carolina FC. Shakes, who started United's third-round Open Cup match last season, is likely to get his first start of 2025 on Wednesday.
POWER UP: NMU moved up a notch to fifth in this week's USLC Power Rankings after Saturday's win. United (4-1-0) trails Louisville City, Charleston Battery, Monterey Bay and Loudoun United in the top four spots, respectively. El Paso (2-2-2) slipped five spots to 17th after a 3-1 loss at Birmingham.
STEPPING UP: Ryden continued a strong three-game stretch Saturday and was named to the USLC Team of the Week. Ryden excelled on the defensive end for NMU against NCFC, recording six duels won, six clearances, six recoveries and two tackles won. He also completed more than 100 passes with a 91% accuracy rate.
MATCH DETAILS: Gates will open for Wednesday's match at 6:30 p.m. with tickets available at the adjacent ticket office. The game is being played at UNM because the Albuquerque Isotopes are at home this week — also against El Paso. Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. start time is to accommodate broadcast requirements. The game is being streamed on Golazo Network. It will also be carried on local radio on KQTM (101.7. FM).
Continue reading...
The unexpected is always part of the U.S. Open Cup's appeal.
Such is even true of Wednesday's third-round matchup between New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive FC — two clubs that know each other exceedingly well.
How many surprises can there really be? It seems a fair question considering Locomotive FC will be making its third visit to Albuquerque in less than two months. United and the Locos met for a preseason match on March 1 and NMU pulled out a 1-0 regular-season win March 22 at Isotopes Park.
If that's not enough, New Mexico will travel to El Paso's Southwest University Park on May 3.
Still, Wednesday's Open Cup matchup at UNM Soccer Stadium will be different. USL Championship teams frequently employ unusual lineups for early round Open Cup contests, and El Paso, in particular, figures to test its depth a bit this time. The Locos played Sunday in Birmingham, Alabama and travel to Colorado Springs on Saturday to conclude a grueling week on the road.
By comparison, United has things fairly easy playing across the street from its usual home stadium. NMU took a hard-fought 1-0 win over North Carolina FC on Saturday at Isotopes Park and has a weekend off after Wednesday's match before hosting Monterey Bay FC.
Asked about preparation for facing El Paso yet again, United coach Dennis Sanchez was all business.
"Rest and recover (Sunday) then start preparing," Sanchez said after Saturday's match. "We have an extra day compared to El Paso, so no excuses. We'll be ready to go."
While New Mexico has the advantages of playing at home and a more favorable schedule, U.S. Open matches are notorious for producing surprises or "Cupsets." Three USL Championship clubs (Lexington SC, Hartford Athletic and Monterey Bay FC) that entered the tournament in round two were knocked out by lower-tier clubs. The remaining 16 USLC clubs enter in round three.
United, which knocked out MLS Real Salt Lake and advanced to the Open Cup quarterfinals last season before falling to MLS Los Angeles FC, is hoping to start another deep tournament run against its archrival. It's the first time NMU and the Locos have met in an Open Cup match.
"The U.S. Open Cup is a special tournament," NMU co-captain Kalen Ryden said, "and playing our rival will just make it that much more special when we win. We're looking forward to the challenge."
INSURANCE POLICY: United shored up its goalkeeper corps Wednesday, signing Albuquerque's Ford Parker to the roster. Parker, a former University of New Mexico goalkeeper, played for NMU in 2022 and '23, making four USLC appearances and two U.S. Open Cup starts. Parker played last season for South Georgia Tormenta FC in USL League One.
Parker will back up Alex Tambakis and Kris Shakes on NMU's roster. Tambakis posted his third straight clean sheet in Saturday's win over North Carolina FC. Shakes, who started United's third-round Open Cup match last season, is likely to get his first start of 2025 on Wednesday.
POWER UP: NMU moved up a notch to fifth in this week's USLC Power Rankings after Saturday's win. United (4-1-0) trails Louisville City, Charleston Battery, Monterey Bay and Loudoun United in the top four spots, respectively. El Paso (2-2-2) slipped five spots to 17th after a 3-1 loss at Birmingham.
STEPPING UP: Ryden continued a strong three-game stretch Saturday and was named to the USLC Team of the Week. Ryden excelled on the defensive end for NMU against NCFC, recording six duels won, six clearances, six recoveries and two tackles won. He also completed more than 100 passes with a 91% accuracy rate.
MATCH DETAILS: Gates will open for Wednesday's match at 6:30 p.m. with tickets available at the adjacent ticket office. The game is being played at UNM because the Albuquerque Isotopes are at home this week — also against El Paso. Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. start time is to accommodate broadcast requirements. The game is being streamed on Golazo Network. It will also be carried on local radio on KQTM (101.7. FM).
Continue reading...
