Derby dogfight: United, El Paso set to square off one more time

New Mexico United at El Paso Locomotive FC, 7 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+

Too much of a good thing? Not a chance.

New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive FC have forged arguably the USL Championship's most heated rivalry since joining the league together in 2019, and familiarity has done nothing to cool things off.

The Derby del Camino Real, as it's become known, will add yet another chapter Saturday when United visits El Paso's Southwest University Park. It will be the teams' fourth meeting since late February.

Fans on both sides look forward to the El Paso-New Mexico battles, which are typically close, hard-fought and inevitably chippy. Locomotive FC supporters figure to be in full throat Saturday as United makes its only scheduled appearance in West Texas this season.

Still, Saturday's matchup can hardly be called "long-awaited". In fact, the scouting report looks very like it did when NMU and El Paso last met on April 16.

"We obviously know each other extremely well," United coach Dennis Sanchez said. "It's odd to play the same team four times in a short span, but we have a real good understanding of who they are and what to expect. We're also looking for a little bit of redemption for the U.S. Open Cup, so I expect our guys will be ready to go."

United (5-1-0) is off to a better start this season than are the Locos (2-2-3), tied with San Antonio for the USLC Western Conference lead despite having played one fewer game.

Still, there's been little separation between the two rivals on the pitch. NMU and El Paso played to a preseason draw before New Mexico pulled out a 1-0 USLC victory on March 22 at Isotopes Park. El Paso scored some payback in U.S. Open Cup play on April 16, getting a late stoppage-time goal by Andy Cabrera to forge a 2-2 draw at UNM Soccer Stadium and ultimately advancing on penalty kicks.

United defender Chris Gloster did not appear in the Open Cup game and has been out for several weeks with an injury. He expects to return to action Saturday and says the timing is perfect.

"It's always a dogfight against El Paso," Gloster said. "Playing over there is definitely an experience and we'll get up for it even more after we lost the last one. This is a big one. We definitely owe them."

The U.S. Open Cup battle ended a run of three straight rivalry wins for New Mexico, which leads the series 7-4-7 in regular and postseason USLC play. The matchups carry extra weight for United veterans like Kalen Ryden and Daniel Bruce, but newcomers like winger Luiz Fernando admit they're still getting used to the Derby del Camino Real.

"To me, it's similar to other games," Fernando said. "We've played them a couple times already, but it's not that different. We just have to make sure we're fully prepared and go do it again."

Preparation has been a bit more challenging, Sanchez said, because Locomotive FC has changed up its structure more than once against United. El Paso sat back in a defensive shell at Isotopes Park, then came out aggressively in regulation in U.S. Open Cup play. After tying that match, the Locos went back to a conservative low block in overtime and played for a penalty shootout.

"They've shown they're adaptable," Sanchez said. "So we have to be ready for anything in terms of different sets. But as much as we talk about them, our focus is entirely on us and being at our best. We want to be the ones to dictate and I think we have the ability to do that, no matter what El Paso throws at us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New Mexico (5-1-0): United's back line continues to be a source of strength and stability, helping NMU post five shutouts in its last six matches over all competitions. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis and center backs Kalen Ryden and Talen Maples have been in top form, with Maples even contributing a penalty goal in last week's Jägermeister Cup win over Union Omaha. Maples and right back Jalin Lindsey were named to the tournament's Team of the Round after Lindsey sparked United's defense with 11 duels won, seven recoveries and five tackles won. New Mexico's attack has been less stable thanks to injuries that have sidelined the likes of Greg Hurst, Sergio Rivas and Dayonn Harris. Others have been asked to pick up the slack, including Marlon Vargas, who produced a goal, three shots and two chances created versus Omaha.

El Paso (2-2-3): Locomotive FC has more than its share of players listed among the USL Championship's offensive stat leaders. Amando Moreno (3 goals, 2 assists, 15 shots), Andy Cabrera (3 goals) and Beto Avila (2 goals, 9 shots) have produced and El Paso ranks fourth in the league with 12 goals scored. All the offense has not led to many victories, however, as the Locos have largely struggled on the defensive end. Goalkeepers Jahmali Waite and Sebastian Mora-Mora have more goals conceded (13) than saves (12) in league play. The 13 goals allowed are third most in the USLC. Locos coach Wilmer Cabrera has been willing to have his team sit back in a low block at times to shore up its leaky defense, especially against New Mexico. How aggressive El Paso will be in front of its home fans remains to be seen.

GOAL KICKS

El Paso netted a pair of goals — one in the waning seconds of stoppage time — against United in a U.S. Open Cup match on April 16. They were the only goals NMU conceded in April and United is now riding a 360-minute shutout streak in USLC play. The club record of 379 minutes was set in 2021. Tambakis, who did not play in the U.S. Open Cup match, has recorded five straight clean sheets over all competitions.