New Mexico United will try to keep its USL Cup hopes alive Saturday when it visits El Paso Locomotive FC for the final match of the group stage. Kickoff at Southwest University Park is scheduled for 7 p.m., with coverage on New Mexico 50/ESPN+ and radio on FM‑101.7.
What’s at stake
The USL Cup group stage wraps up this weekend. Seven group winners and one second-place club will advance to the knockout rounds that begin Aug. 12. Two group winners have already been decided: Colorado Springs clinched Group 2, the same group that contains United and El Paso, and Tampa Bay Rowdies secured Group 7.
United (2-1 in USL Cup play) and El Paso (2-1) both sit on six points, making them candidates for the single wild-card berth awarded to the best non-group winner across all groups. The selection favors the team with the most points; if teams are tied, the tiebreaker is oddly weighted toward most goals scored, not goal differential — a nuance that could shape team tactics in Saturday’s games.
How United can advance
The pathway for both clubs is convoluted. According to the standings scenarios circulated by the league, New Mexico could advance with a high-scoring regulation victory plus a regulation win by either Charleston Battery or Charlotte Independence in Group 6. El Paso’s route is described in similar terms. League materials do not define “high-scoring victory” precisely, leaving interpretation open and adding uncertainty for teams and fans.
- Match: New Mexico United at El Paso Locomotive FC
- When: 7 p.m., Saturday
- Where: Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas
- Broadcast: New Mexico 50/ESPN+, FM‑101.7
- USL Cup records: New Mexico United (2-1), El Paso Locomotive FC (2-1)
| Team | USL Cup Record | Points | Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico United | 2-1 | 6 | Leads series 7-6-8 |
| El Paso Locomotive FC | 2-1 | 6 | — |
The matchup also carries regional pride. New Mexico United’s result matters not only to Albuquerque fans but to the broader soccer community in the state: advancing would keep professional postseason soccer on the radar here and sustain momentum for a club that has drawn larger local attention in recent seasons.
With group play concluding and the knockout bracket looming in August, Saturday’s results across multiple groups will determine which clubs continue chasing the title. For United, the simplest formula is a regulation win and favorable outcomes elsewhere, but the lack of clarity around the “high-scoring” requirement leaves supporters parsing scenario updates as the evening progresses.
Expect tactical pushes for goals from both clubs and close attention to simultaneous matches in Group 6 as fans and front offices await the final permutations that will decide the lone wildcard spot.
