Rivalry renewed: United, El Paso battle to preseason draw

Lots of new faces, same old rivalry for New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive FC.

The two USL Championship Western Conference foes got together again Saturday for their first meeting of 2025 — a preseason tune-up that occasionally felt more like a playoff match in front of several hundred fans at NMU’s Mesa del Sol Training Center.

It decided little as El Paso scored in the 87th minute to come away with a 2-2 draw. But the match did serve to ramp up both teams’ intensity levels with the regular season set to begin next Saturday.

Zico Bailey and Marlon Vargas scored for New Mexico, which looked improved on the attacking end, particularly on corner-kick opportunities. El Paso answered with goals by former United standout Amando Moreno and Andy Cabrera, who tallied the late equalizer.

In some respects the match had a preseason feel, as both teams had numerous scoring chances, some coming off turnovers and miscommunication. But it also felt like a standard New Mexico-El Paso match, featuring chippy play and even a benches-clearning shoving match late in the first half.

That dustup resulted only in a yellow card and order was quickly restored, but United fans took the opportunity to vent at the visiting archrivals. It was as much as new NMU coach Dennis Sanchez had anticipated.

“I expect a little more competitive spirit, just because of how much these clubs love each other,” Sanchez said during a press conference earlier this week.

United fans got an opportunity to see some of the club’s familiar faces and new signees in action. After Moreno’s goal gave the Locos a 1-0 lead, defender Zico Bailey evened the score with a 25-yard blast off the fingertips of El Paso goalkeeper Jahmali Waite in the 33rd minute.

NMU went on top minutes later with a well-executed transition goal, started by Greg Hurst on a run down the right sideline. Hurst crossed the ball to newcomer McKinze Gaines, who deftly centered it to Vargas for an easy goal. Gaines had an impressive outing, creating several quality chances from the left wing.

El Paso got the last hurrah, leaving New Mexico with a 3-0-3 preseason record and setting the stage for a rematch when the Locos visit Albuquerque for NMU’s home opener on March 22. Prior to that, United opens the regular season with road matches at Sacramento Republic FC (next Saturday, 8 p.m.) and at Las Vegas Lights (March 15).