New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive Renew Historic Rivalry in US Open Cup Round of 32

New Mexico United will welcome longtime regional rivals El Paso Locomotive to the UNM Soccer Complex on April 1st for a compelling Round of 32 encounter in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, rekindling one of American soccer most engaging lower-division rivalries in the nation premier knockout tournament.

The 7:25 PM kickoff promises to deliver exceptional atmosphere as these southwestern neighbors continue their captivating series that has produced memorable moments since their first meeting in 2019. The geographic proximity and competitive balance between the clubs has created a genuine rivalry that transcends typical league competition.

We are excited for the opportunity to host our rival in this historic competition, declared United vice president Clint Gray in the official announcement. We look forward to seeing the best fans in the league pack the stands at UNM once again for this match.

New Mexico currently holds a narrow advantage in the all-time series between these clubs, maintaining a 7-8-5 record across all competitions. This statistical edge reflects the competitive parity that has defined their encounters, with neither side establishing sustained dominance despite multiple meetings across various tournament formats.

The most recent U.S. Open Cup meeting between these rivals occurred on April 16, 2025, when El Paso advanced to the next round following a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory in Albuquerque. That result will undoubtedly fuel New Mexico desire for revenge on their home ground in front of their passionate supporters.

Both teams earned their Round of 32 positions through convincing victories against lower-division opposition in the tournament opening round. New Mexico demonstrated their resilience by defeating Cruizers FC of the National Premier Soccer League in a thrilling 3-2 encounter, with Cristian Nava providing the decisive late goal that secured advancement.

El Paso displayed their quality by traveling to Laredo, Texas, where they methodically dismantled USL League Two side Laredo Heat with a comprehensive 2-0 victory. The clean sheet performance highlighted their defensive organization while showcasing the attacking efficiency that makes them dangerous opponents.

The U.S. Open Cup provides unique opportunities for clubs from different divisions to test themselves against varied opposition while pursuing the ultimate prize of tournament glory. For both New Mexico and El Paso, advancing beyond the Round of 32 would represent significant achievement in American soccer most prestigious knockout competition.

Ticket sales for this highly anticipated encounter will commence early next week, with significant demand expected given the rivalry history and tournament significance. The UNM Soccer Complex provides an intimate venue that should amplify crowd involvement and create challenging conditions for the visiting team.

New Mexico enters the contest with home field advantage and the motivation of avenging their previous Open Cup defeat to these same opponents. Their ability to leverage crowd support while executing tactically will determine whether they can progress to the Round of 16 for continued tournament involvement.

El Paso arrives with confidence derived from their previous Open Cup success against United, though they must adapt to hostile environment while maintaining the performance standards that earned them advancement through the early rounds. Their experience in pressure situations could prove decisive.

The winner advances to face increasingly challenging opposition as the tournament progresses toward its ultimate conclusion at a major league venue. Both clubs recognize that Open Cup success provides invaluable exposure and validates their competitive standards within American soccer broader ecosystem.

This southwestern rivalry renewal promises compelling entertainment while demonstrating the tournament capacity to produce meaningful matchups between clubs seeking to establish their credentials on the national stage through sustained knockout competition success.