Home opener: United hosts rival El Paso
Mar. 21—Saturday, 3 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+
Drama will make its 2025 debut at Isotopes Park on Saturday.
New Mexico United hosts its home opener at 3 p.m. and it just so happens that arch rival El Paso Locomotive FC is also on the ticket.
Granted, it's just one of 34 games on both teams' USL Championship schedule and no postseason berths are on the line in March. But you won't catch either side calling the annual Derby Del Camino Real just another soccer match.
United defender Talen Maples conceded that this one's been circled on United's calendar.
"I think we're all buzzing about it," he said. "When the schedule first came out we were bummed that our first two games were away. But we when we saw the home opener was versus El Paso, that was exciting. I think it'll be a great game and we can't wait to show our fans what we can do."
The two clubs have butted heads regularly since both joined the USL Championship in 2019. Saturday's match will be the 18th meeting, not counting preseason games like the one that generated a bench-clearing shoving match at United's Mesa del Sol training center three weeks ago.
Most of the New Mexico-El Paso battles have gone to the wire, including last season when United rallied with two late goals to edge the Locos 3-2 in Albuquerque and later pulled out a 2-1 nail-biter in West Texas.
If collective history is not spicy enough for you, there's the Amando Moreno angle. Moreno, who became a fan favorite over four seasons with United, ruffled some feathers by signing with El Paso prior to last season.
Locomotive FC struggled mightily in 2024 but has shown plenty of firepower in back-to-back draws to open 2025. El Paso has a league-best six goals scored — three of them courtesy of Moreno, who talked about returning to Isotopes Park this week in a story by USL Soccer's Nicholas Murray.
"I know how much New Mexico helped me grow as a player, and I'm never going to forget that," Moreno said, "but I'm going to bring my 'A' game. Right now, I'm on fire, and I know they're going to be worried. I know how to score there, so I'm going to have a little bit of that confidence, and then try to bring that to my teammates."
Saturday's match will be something of a double debut for New Mexico coach Dennis Sanchez. It will be his first appearance as a home coach at Isotopes Park and his first real taste of the NMU-El Paso rivalry.
Sanchez did not try to downplay the history between United and the Locos but emphasized the importance of keeping emotions in check.
"I would just say focus on the things you can control," Sanchez said. "You always want guys to play with passion but no unnecessary fouls or getting provoked. I have a lot of respect for (El Paso coach) Wilmer Cabrera, and he always puts together a very gritty team. We just need to focus on playing our game and coming away with three points."
JABANG AND AMANG: Saturday's match could mark the first appearance for United's latest signings, Thomas Amang and Ousman Jabang. Both will be available for selection, Sanchez said.
Jabang, who officially signed with NMU on Wednesday, said he's been looking forward to playing on the home side at Isotopes Park.
"I remember coming here in my second game with Las Vegas (last season)," Jabang said. "It was a midweek game and I thought, 'This atmosphere is great.' The connection the team has with the crowd is rare to find. I'm excited to get an opportunity to experience that."
Amang, who signed with NMU on March 4, was on United's active roster for last week's match at Las Vegas but did not appear in New Mexico's 3-2 victory.
Players to watch
El Paso (0-0-2): Topping this list is a fairly obvious entry: Former United forward Amando Moreno is off to a sizzling start for Locomotive FC, leading the USL Championship with three goals and seven shots through the first two weeks of the season. Moreno had two goals including a dazzling bicycle kick in last week's 4-4 draw with Phoenix Rising. He also has four chances created and has formed an effective 1-2 punch with newcomer Beto Avila, who has a goal, an assist and four chances created thus far. Generating offense has not been a problem for El Paso, which leads the USLC in goals scored (6) and ranks third in shots (27). But the Locos have struggled on the defensive end, conceding the second most goals (6) and letting a 4-1 lead slip away against Phoenix. Goalkeeper Jahmali Waite has just three saves through two games.
New Mexico (1-1-0): Striker Greg Hurst has been a focal point in the early season and has been in good form. He's one of just four USLC players with multiple goals (2) through two matches and ranks second in the league with six shots. But United's attack has featured numerous player contributions, which bodes well for the long season ahead. Mukwelle Akale, Chris Gloster, Marlon Vargas and Sergio Rivas have three chances created apiece, and McKinze Gaines has added finishing power to NMU's front line. New Mexico has been effective in ball possession, ranking second in the league with 1,035 passes. Defender Talen Maples leads all players with 201 passes. United has been less consistent on the defensive end, however, with several breakdowns in its first two contests. NMU also leads the USLC with 10 yellow cards.
GOAL KICKS: United fans will have to choose a new designated villain this season as El Paso's longtime antagonist Yuma Monsalves has retired. It won't be midfielder Frank Daroma, who will miss Saturday's match after picking up a red card versus Phoenix. ... As of Friday, New Mexico officials were expecting around 11,000 fans for Saturday's opener with the United supporters' section sold out. ... NMU ranks fifth in this week's USL Championship Power Rankings behind Louisville, Sacramento, Charleston and Detroit. El Paso ranks 16th.
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