United hopes to get back on track on home field

If ever New Mexico United needed a dose of good, home cooking, this is it. And, no, that does not mean the pancakes that United owner Peter Trevisani is scheduled to traditionally whip up for the home-opening tailgate festivities.

After losing its first two USL Championship games — on the road — to start the season, New Mexico (0-2-0) needs to drop a little positive action in terms of the record. 

When United meets Colorado Springs (1-1-1) today at 1 p.m. at Isotopes Stadium, they will be the only team in the league without a point, making a win pretty imperative. 

“I think a lot of us have the mindset that every game is must win, but obviously, you want points on the board,” United midfielder Ousman Jabang said. “And the first home game against a team like Colorado (Springs) is definitely, I don’t see any other game that would matter more at this point than this one.”

So, must win? Certainly. And for many reasons, particularly to get the team on a roll heading into next Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against local rival El Paso. But getting the chance to finally play at their home stadium has the United players and coach Dennis Sanchez inspired.

“I think we’re ready for it,” Sanchez said. “We’ve missed the Lab. We’ve missed our supporters. I think it’s been unique, just in general, with the start of the year, to have three matches in the first week and then really do that again in this upcoming week. It is a lot in a short period of time. But no, we’re super excited to get back on the right track.”

Playing in front of the home town fans at the Lab has been quite a long time coming for Albuquerque alum Cristian Nava — a forward who missed all of last season and most of the prior one while dealing with a knee injury — and he is ready to be back, to the least.

“I think it’s going to be really good,” he said. “Like Dennis was saying, we really miss it, and I really miss playing at the stadium in front of the fans, and getting to interact with everybody. It’s going to be good for us.”

Seeing two of New Mexico bitterest rivals within a four-day span will make matters that much more challenging and important, Sanchez said.

“What I found in my short time as a head coach is that there are no easy games in this league, regardless of whether it’s Colorado, Louisville, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “We talk a lot about earning the right to win every time we step on the field and that the focus being on us. So while we have respect for our opponent, we know if we execute and play to our abilities and standards, that we’re going to put ourselves in a good position to be successful.”

And that’s what Sanchez truly wants to see out of his squad after seeing two disparate performances in the first two games.

“I think that understanding the why behind success or the why behind not having success is really important, and then you learn and grow from it,” the coach said. “So at the same time, though we’re 0-2. I constantly remind our group that we’re a very good team, and we’ve shown that before.”

And now is the time to show it on the field. 

“We’ve brought in players who are going to complement the foundation that’s been built over the course of our club’s history, and honestly, we just need to get over that first hump and regain a little bit of confidence,” Sanchez said. “But the guys have had great energy this week, responded well. This is the process that we’re going to have all season long.”

MAPLES: Saturday’s game will have a little extra spice to it as former fan-favorite, center back Talen Maples, who recorded seven goals for New Mexico last season, will be returning wearing a Switchbacks jersey.

“It’ll be weird for sure, and I’m sure it’ll be weird for the fans,” Jabang said. “Also, he did a lot for us last year and the year before, so a lot of respect. But you know how it is when game day comes. We’re just trying to win. And if anything, it’s more motivation for me personally. I really, really want to win on Saturday.”