United hosts Colorado Springs for key Jägermeister Cup group battle

Saturday, 7 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+

It's been something of a strange and hectic week at home for New Mexico United.

A span of three distinctly different matches in eight days concludes Saturday when NMU hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for a Jägermeister Cup group match at Isotopes Park. Oddly enough, this may be the most significant of the three.

United comes in riding high after back-to-back wins in front of its home faithful. Last Saturday, NMU knocked off USL Championship rival San Antonio FC to strengthen its hold on first place in the Western Conference standings. On Wednesday, New Mexico edged Liga MX contender FC Juarez 1-0 for its win in an international friendly.

"We're feeling good about ourselves," midfielder Mukwelle Akale said after the win over San Antonio. "Up and down the roster, we've got guys who can come in and make a difference and that just adds confidence. Hopefully we can just keep building on that."

Saturday's contest won't impact the USLC standings but it has more immediate stakes for both United and the visiting Switchbacks. Both teams are trailing San Antonio in the Jägermeister Cup Group 2 standings and need a win as they chase a spot in the tournament's knockout round. San Antonio is 2-0-0 with 6 points, followed by NMU (1-0-1, 4 points) and Colorado Springs (1-1-0, 3 points).

Thirty-eight teams divided into six groups are competing in the tournament. Each plays four group matches. Six group winners will then advance to the knockout round along with two wild cards — the top second-place finishers based on points with goals scored used as a tiebreaker.

The tournament awards one point for draws but employs penalty shootouts after all matches that end tied. The shootout winner earns an extra point in the group standings.

New Mexico enters Saturday's contest if relatively good shape after scoring five combined goals in group matches against Union Omaha and Phoenix Rising FC. A win Saturday would set up a first-place Group 2 showdown when United visits San Antonio on July 26.

Colorado Springs, which edged El Paso 1-0 and lost to San Antonio 2-0 in its first two Jägermeister Cup matches, likely needs a win and multiple goals Saturday to keep its hopes of advancing alive.

"It's a big match for us," United coach Dennis Sanchez said. "Playing at home against a conference rival with a chance to move up in the group standings, we need to be locked in."

Both teams will have short preparation after playing Wednesday matches, but New Mexico and Colorado Springs are familiar foes after playing to a 1-1 draw on June 7 in Albuquerque. The Switchbacks played conservatively in the second half of that meeting, content to earn a draw after losing all six of their previous matches at Isotopes Park. Saturday's approach could be different.

"Last year, Colorado Springs was very aggressive — one of the most aggressive attacks in the league," Sanchez said. "We know that's part of their makeup. From a preparation standpoint, it does help a little that we played them recently but we still have to be ready for anything."

After Saturday's match, United will travel to Pittsburgh for a July 4 game against the Riverhounds. Four of NMU's next five matches will be on the road.

Jägermeister Cup Group Match

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Springs (1-1-0 Jägermeister Cup): The Switchbacks will be playing their second group match in four days after losing 2-0 to nemesis San Antonio on Wednesday. (SAFC is 12-0-3 against Colorado Springs since 2019). That result makes Saturday's match a must-win if the Switchbacks are to advance to the Jägermeister Cup knockout round. Colorado Springs played to a 1-1 draw on June 7 at Isotopes Park, dropping into a low block after getting even on an own goal just before halftime. Needing a win, the Switchbacks may take a more aggressive approach this time, giving top scoring threats Justin Dhillon (5 goals), Quenzi Huerman (20 shots) and former United midfielder Marco Micaletto (4 goals, 13 chances created) free rein to attack. Goalkeepers Christian Herrera and Abraham Romero have conceded 23 goals combined.

New Mexico (1-0-1 Jägermeister Cup): United continues to get contributions from up and down its roster — significant in a busy span of three games in eight days. NMU used 20 players in Wednesday's 1-0 international friendly win over FC Juarez, giving top scorer Luiz Fernando (4 goals, 18 shots) and primary goalkeeper Alex Tambakis the night off. New Mexico settled for a 1-1 home draw against Colorado Springs on June 7 and will look for a more explosive outing Saturday. NMU has found an effective foursome up front with Fernando, Marlon Vargas (2 goals, 2 assists, 22 chances created), Mukwelle Akale (2 goals, 5 assists, 23 chances created) and McKinze Gaines (2 goals, 3 assists). Gaines played 90 minutes against FC Juarez but he's been efficient at providing scoring punch off the bench, contributing on 5 goals in 482 minutes.

GOAL KICKS: Thomas Amang broke a personal drought with his goal against FC Juarez — his first tally since scoring in stoppage time April 12 against North Carolina, his first appearance with United. Amang also helped United claim its first international friendly win after going 0-2-1 in three previous tries. ... New Mexico continues to do an effective job sharing the ball with 13 assists on its 21 USLC goals. Akale is tied for fourth individually with five assists.