This is the magic of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. New Mexico United played host to Cruizers FC from the NPSL on Wednesday night at the UNM Soccer Complex, while the Lobos played across the street in The Pit. No one expected Cruizers to show up how they did, but United came out on top. Goals from Grady Gilchrist and Cristian Nava helped seal the match as United was able to advance to the second round of the US Open Cup, 3-2.
Before the match began, United sent out a team sheet with ten changes from the season opener against Oakland Roots, the only player to remain was Will Seymore. Arturo Astorga was a late scratch, replaced by Zico Bailey, and Greg Hurst was added to the bench. That change would come in handy before the end of the first half.
United started strong and had a chance within the opening four minutes, putting the ball into the area for Justin Rennicks. Rennicks was able to put a shot in, narrowly missing the goal and going wide. That shot set the tone for the first half. Minutes later, United was pressing again and taking advantage of the wider spaces at UNM. In the 12th minute, Rennicks drifted wide right and searched for a chance to send the ball back inside. His ball into the area came in low and caused some confusion between Angel Ruiz-Hernandez and Ignacio Flores. They both tried to play the ball, but no one was able to control it. As a result, the ball deflected off Flores into the goal, giving United the lead, 1-0.
Four minutes later, Cruizers clawed their way back even. Not allowing the stage or United to concern them, Cruizers pushed to the byline before squaring the ball back to the middle. Unable to corral the ball, it bounced around in the area and eventually fell to Ariel Mbumba. From close range, Mbumba was able to beat multiple defenders and Raiko Arozarena to level in the 16th, 1-1.
Both clubs were forced to make changes in the 31st minute after each suffered an injury. Grady Gilchrist, the United Academy product, played strong defense to stop an attack by Alex Kryazhev inside the goal area. In the process, Kryazhev went to ground. As United went the other way and won a corner, the forward stayed down, and something happened in the attacking half as Rennicks appeared to take a knock to the head. Each player would have to exit the match, and Hurst would enter in place of Rennicks.
Following an extended stoppage for the injuries, United quickly got back onto the front foot and found the lead for the second time in the 38th minute. Growing ever more confident, Gilchrist was weaving his way up the left wing, making overlapping runs with Cristian Nava and putting crosses into the area. This time, however, Gilchrist’s cross didn’t end up where he intended. The left-footed left back tried to cross the ball into the area, but instead of curling it screamed past Ruiz-Hernandez and into the net for his first professional goal, 2-1.
The clubs faced six minutes of stoppage time in the first half, and that gave the visitors a chance to try to equalize. In the 48th minute of the half, United got caught inside their own defensive half and gave up a costly turnover. Will Seymore had his pocket picked, and once again it was Mbumba with the opportunity. From the left side of the area, the forward put a left-footed shot on frame and beat Arozarena, pushing the ball into the right side of the net, 2-2.
For much of the second half, United was tasked with breaking down the low block of Cruizers FC. This was a situation that United struggled with throughout 2025, and even against a lower division club, it proved difficult for United on this evening. They weren’t without opportunities; they just couldn’t put the ball over the line. The hosts came close in the 68th and 87th off headers by Luther Archimede. Valentin Noel came close in the 71st, but put a shot right at the keeper. Noel and Archimede had an attempt in the 74th, with an absolute golden opportunity, Archimede missed the ball off the cross by Noel.
On the verge of stoppage time, it was Nava who finally broke the defense of Cruizers and put United ahead for good. With chances and time running out, Chris Gloster put a ball into the area for Hurst, who headed it left for Nava. A slight touch to settle the ball, 1095 days since he was last on the pitch, Nava took aim with his right foot. 1095 days since he was last on the pitch, Nava found the back of the net, giving United the match-winner, 3-2.
Even after the goal, the fireworks continued as the two sides continued to escalate the tension between them. In the 96th minute of the match, Cam Wilkerson, the newest signing for United, picked up a second yellow card and was sent off. Moments later, in the 100th minute, Jorge Medina for Cruizers was sent off for a second yellow. A member of United’s coaching staff, believed to be David Estrada, was shown a red card and sent off.
Player of the Match
Cristian Nava – In his first start in a meaningful game in nearly three years, Nava played the full 90+ minutes of the Open Cup match and he looked good. He was physical, he made players miss, and was constantly involved in the attack. His efforts paid off with a goal in the 90th minute and gave United the win over a scrappy Cruizers FC.
Up Next
After the win in the first round of the US Open Cup, United will wait to see the results of the upcoming draw before they know who they will face in the second round. The draw is set to take place on Thursday once the matches have concluded. The second round of the Open Cup will take place sometime between March 31 and April 1.
Before that, United will face off against San Antonio FC on Saturday, March 21, from Toyota Field in San Antonio. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT. Coverage of the match will begin at 5:30 p.m. with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman on the pregame show. Catch New Mexico United all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, the TEAM apps, and The TEAM website.
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