As is tradition in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, New Mexico United was tasked with facing El Paso Locomotive FC. The Wednesday night affair between the two rivals at the UNM Soccer Complex had a little bit of everything. United fell behind in the first half before going down to 10 men in the second. For the second straight year, New Mexico was eliminated from the Open Cup by El Paso, and this one wasn’t close. In the end, three second half goals were more than enough to put United away in 0-4 win for the Locomotive.
The first half was definitely the better of the halves for United, and that’s saying something considering that they went into the break down by one. They had to play themselves into the match, gave up the better chances, and the possession arrow for much of the half. But even with Locomotive pressing on them, United managed to hold firm.
Where things started to unravel was in the 22nd minute when midfielder Ousman Jabang picked up a yellow card in a spot where he really didn’t need to give one up. He made a truly reckless challenge on a ball against Robert Coronado. Jabang left his feet and caught Coronado with the studs, leaving the referee with an easy yellow card decision.
El Paso broke through in the 37th with a goal that was the result of a failed clearance by United. After a deep throw in for the visitors, Omar Mora played the ball off the endline in toward the middle of the area. United failed to successfully clear the ball and it fell to Alvaro Quezada. With a powerful right foot, Quezada put the ball well out of reach of Raiko Arozarena and into the net for the lead, 0-1.
Coming out of the break, El Paso continued to disrupt any attempt by United at getting in on goal and taking advantage of mistakes made by the hosts. United’s problems were compounded in the 59th minute when Jabang picked up a second yellow, seeing him sent off for the rest of the match. As Ricky Ruiz made an attacking run, Jabang went for a slide tackle, but caught the legs of the defender, bringing him down near midfield. It was another easy decision for the referee and saw United go down to 10 men for the rest of the match.
Four minutes later, El Paso caught Raiko Arozarena flat-footed on a free kick to extend the lead. Mora earned a foul around 27 yards out, left of center in the 62nd minute. As United was making substitutions, El Paso plotted to go quickly. Before United could even finish setting up, Alex Mendez took aim for goal with his left foot and snuck the ball past Arozarena at the left post, putting El Paso up, 0-2.
In the 69th, Jake LaCava had his pocket picked inside of United’s defensive half, giving El Paso another quality opportunity. On the takeaway, Rubio Rubin went one-on-one with Arozarena and challenged the keeper from short range. Rubin put the shot over the arm of the goalkeeper and into the net, extending the lead to three goals, 0-3.
The visitors would add a fourth goal before all was said and done and truly put a pin in what has been a poor beginning of the season for New Mexico. In the 85th, a long ball was played over the top for Gabi Torres, drawing Arozarena well off of his line. The keeper was able to recover, but United failed to clear the danger. Diego Abitia had a shot blocked and it bounded into the air before falling to Eric Calvillo. On a one timer, Calvillo looped the ball over Arozarena from inside the area, to finish the night, 0-4.
Player of the Match
El Paso – The Locomotive came to play. It was clear from the off that they were the more aggressive and together of the two sides. They capitalized on mistakes, making few of their own. They showcased an ability to control United and keep them out of sync for the entire night.
Up Next
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for United as they head into the weekend. After the loss, United heads to California to take on Orange County SC for the first time of the season. That match is scheduled to kickoff at 8 p.m. MT from Championship Soccer Stadium.
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