Heartbreaker: Last-minute goal helps El Paso knock United out of Open Cup

Late lightning struck again in New Mexico United’s U.S. Open Cup battle with El Paso Locomotive FC on Wednesday night.

This time the bolt didn’t go New Mexico’s way.

El Paso’s Andy Cabrera scored in the final minute of second-half stoppage time, forcing overtime and ultimately a penalty shootout. With NMU's starting goalkeeper Alex Tambakis unavailable, Locomotive FC won the shootout (4-1) and advanced to round four of the tournament.

A year after reaching the Open Cup quarterfinals, United went out in a heartbreaking opener. El Paso hit all four of its penalty kicks in the shootout, while NMU had one stopped by Locos goalkeeper Sebastian Mora-Mora and another banged off the crossbar.

"Obviously very, very disappointing," United defender and captain Kalen Ryden said. "I don't think we lost in the penalty shootout, we lost in 90 minutes. The way we conceded in stoppage time — we stopped the initial effort but just didn't get the ball clear at the back post — just very frustrating."

After getting even in the closing seconds of regulation, Locomotive FC was more than content to play for a penalty shootout. El Paso packed in its defense in the overtime periods and stalled at every opportunity, drawing a chorus of boos from the UNM Soccer Stadium crowd. The tactic succeeded, however, as El Paso controlled the shootout.

"We've found ways to win all season," NMU coach Dennis Sanchez said. "We have to learn from this one. We were not at our best, but no excuses. We just have to learn from it and play better."

Both teams employed most of their regular starters in the rivalry contest, with one notable exception. Kris Shakes started in goal for United as Tambakis was away from the team for personal reasons. Tambakis is expected back for NMU’s next match April 17 versus Monterey Bay FC.

Personnel aside, Wednesday’s match barely resembled the season’s first El Paso-New Mexico meeting March 22 at Isotopes Park. The Locos sat back in a low block through most of that match, a 1-0 United win. On Wednesday, Locomotive FC came out on the attack.

The strategy change paid off for the visitors early. El Paso came close on several chances in front and finally broke through in the 21st minute when a corner kick ended with Ricky Ruiz crossing to Daniel Carter for a header into the net.

It was the first goal New Mexico had conceded since March 15 at Las Vegas, a span of three matches.

Locomotive FC held on to its lead until the 39th minute, when Gaines created an opportunity with hustle along the El Paso back line. Gaines broke up a pass from Mora-Mora on the right wing, turned and sent the ball in front to Vargas for a tap-in to make it 1-1.

Both teams had chances to break the deadlock early in the second half. Former United striker Amando Moreno sent a turnaround shot just wide of the left post for El Paso, and NMU’s Will Seymore missed the frame on an open chance from the top of the box.

Both clubs sent numerous substitutes into the contest in the ensuing minutes, and one of them came up big for United. Mukwelle Akale came off the bench and fired a perfect cross from the right wing to the far post, where teammate Jaylin Lindsey headed the ball into the net. Lindsey’s first goal for New Mexico gave the home team a 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute.

"Very happy to get my first goal here," Lindsey said. "It's exciting. But at the end of the day, I wish it would have gotten us a win."

It appeared Lindsey's goal would stand up as Shakes made several key stops down the stretch and into stoppage time. But just when it seemed the Locos were down to their last gasp, a free kick stirred up chaos in front of United’s goal. The ball bounded off several players and found the feet of Cabrera, whose low shot found a path into the net.

El Paso celebrated on the east sideline and less than a minute later, the match went into extra time — two 15-minute periods — even at 2-2. United dominated the ball in extra time but managed only a few scoring chances against the visitors' low block. Overall, NMU had 57% of possession and outshot El Paso 16-15 with each team getting five shots on goal.