As is tradition in the Derby del Camino Real, there was no love lost between New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive. Despite many of the familiar faces from both clubs moving on, there will always be animosity between these two sides. A quiet start to the match turned into a wild finish before United picked up the win, 3-2.
United jumped out on the front foot early and picked up right where they left off in Phoenix. The midfield control was on point and United tried to press the issue. In their early attacks, United was able to find space throughout the attack, while at the other end, El Paso focused heavily on trying to beat Arturo Astorga on the left.
In particular, Locomotive tried to play through Lucas Stauffer and Amando Moreno on their left wing. Stauffer would look for chances to cross the ball into Justin Dhillon. To his credit, he would find some openings, but Dhillon couldn’t make anything of the opportunities. Moreno meanwhile had some opportunities to shoot from the left, but each of his attempts was met by Alex Tambakis.
Back in front of the home faithful for the first time since the opening weekend of the season, the Black and Yellow appeared energized. Their passes were picking apart the El Paso defense and in only the 7th minute, Dayonn Harris would be free up the left side. Driving to the left edge of the box, Harris would square the ball where Marco Micaletto was able to run up on the ball and drive through it with his right foot. The dart off of his boot flew into the back of the net to put United up 1-0.
Harris would later leave the match at halftime after an injury concern to both of his knees after a number of fouls late in the first half left him hobbling.
Just when it looked like United was going to cruise to the win, the tide of the match turned against them.
After subbing on in the 78th minute, Joaquin Rivas made an immediate impact on the evening. In the 81st, El Paso had clawed their way into the match and were looking to break into United’s lead. JJ Dhillon, who appeared to be offside, took the ball into United’s box before playing back into the middle of the area. From there, Rivas stepped into the ball and slotted home for an equalizer, 1-1.
The visitors weren’t done there. After Zico Bailey was called for a foul in the area against Dhillon in the 86th, Amando Moreno was sent to the mark for El Paso. With Moreno and Tambakis both making their decisions on where to go mentally, Moreno went to his right, while Tambakis went the opposite direction, putting El Paso up 2-1.
As play was getting set to restart after the penalty, Coach Eric Quill sent on Daniel Bruce and Jacobo Reyes in an attempt to steal the point back from what might have been a sure defeat. In the past, United had not played well from behind, but the fresh legs would pay off. Reyes and would link up with the earlier goal scorer Micaletto in the 89th to square the scoreline. Micalleto, playing with his head up, saw Reyes making a run between the Locomotive defenders and a well placed lob from the midfielder found the forward who headed the ball in for the score, his first in a United uniform, 2-2.
Minutes later, Bruce would lay a ball off to Nicky Hernandez, allowing the midfielder to cap off the night. Just inside of stoppage time, United had a run down the left wing where Bruce was able to play the ball back from the byline to Hernandez. While Hernandez had options in the 91st minute, he opted to take the shot himself from the top of the area. The right-footed shot darted past the El Paso keeper and into the net for the winner, 3-2.
Player of the Match
Marco Micaletto – Marco was here, there, and everywhere throughout the match. His determination and vision gave United a chance to walk away with three points in a rivalry match. It doesn’t hurt that he added a goal and an assist to his season tally, either.
Up Next
United has a bit of a break in their schedule after playing on five consecutive weekends. Although they don’t play next weekend, they do have two matches the week after. The first being their Open Cup match against Lubbock Matadors on April 16th. They follow that up with the first of another three-match road trip. The first of those matches will be against USL Championship newcomer North Carolina FC on April 20th.