In a dramatic upset in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, lower-division side New Mexico United defeated Major League Soccer’s Western Conference leader Real Salt Lake 4-2. This result adds another chapter to the tournament’s history of unexpected outcomes and continues United’s history of beating MLS clubs in the tournament.
Back in 2019, New Mexico eliminated a pair of MLS clubs, both on the road when they knocked off the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas.
While Real Salt Lake boasted some players with experience against New Mexico on their home pitch, United dominated possession early. Their strategy of attacking through the wings and targeting Daniel Bruce in the middle proved effective, forcing RSL into errors.
This pressure paid off in the 19th minute with two quick goals from Zico Bailey. The first originated from a Sergio Rivas pass that Bailey converted from outside the area, sneaking the ball past Gavin Beavers for the 1-0 lead.
Less than a minute later, Dayonn Harris intercepted a pass out of the back and found Bailey, who capitalized with a shot from nearly the same spot as the first. This time, he got more power behind the shot, and Beavers didn’t have a chance at a save.
Real Salt Lake finally responded before halftime with Fidel Barajas converting a goal from Nelson Palacio and Zavier Gozo. Barajas received the ball on the left wing off Gozo’s header before driving into the area and placing the shot across the face of the goal and into the side netting to cut the lead, 2-1.
“Their first goal was a mentality moment,” New Mexico coach Eric Quill said. “It starts with a goal kick, and we missed two headers — two chances to win it. They win both of them, they get in behind us and score. That gives the opponent life. But we knew we were going to suffer some today. That’s such a quality team to play. We’re not going to consistently have seven consecutive passes against a quality side like that. We have to be willing to suffer but know how to get out of that stuff.”
Nicky Hernandez restored the two-goal advantage for United just before the halftime break with a long-range strike aided by Daniel Bruce. Much like Bailey, Hernandez favored the shot from distance in the fifth minute of stoppage time, lacing through the ball and drilling it into the back netting to take a 3-1 lead into the break.
The second half saw Real Salt Lake threaten again early on with a 49th-minute goal from Diego Luna, assisted by Anderson Julio. As with the goals in the first half, this one also came from outside the box, continuing the trend of the evening.
The match became increasingly physical with several yellow cards shown, but neither side received a red card. A controversial moment arose when Real Salt Lake appeared to make a fourth substitution, exceeding the allowed limit.
But New Mexico United held on and secured the victory with a late goal from Jacobo Reyes. After subbing on late in the match, Reyes made his mark in the 85th minute. After Hernandez clanged another long-distance shot off the woodwork, Reyes gathered the rebound and slotted home a right-footed effort that sealed the win for United.
“I don’t want to say I’m shocked, but I just marveled at the performance of the guys tonight,” said Quill. “How they came out; the goals we scored (were) just really nice goals. The resiliency — when we conceded — to come back and stay on top of the game. We showed a lot of character. That’s a great team that’s going to be near the top of the MLS, with a great coach in Pablo Masteroni. We have a lot of respect for that organization, and where they’re going. But tonight, we made it about us. We just had a moxie to us. It was evident. We got challenged at times, but each time with goals.”
New Mexico United advances to the Round of 16, where the USL Championship side will face NYCFC II the week of May 21-22.