El Paso Locomotive FC delivered a dramatic and determined performance on the road Wednesday night, defeating New Mexico United in a US Open Cup clash that showcased both teams’ grit and intensity. After 120 minutes of play and a deadlock at 2-2, El Paso triumphed in a penalty shootout, advancing to the Round of 32 for the first time in club history.
The match began with a noticeable shift in demeanor from the visitors compared to their recent league encounter with United. Where El Paso had previously appeared cautious and content to play for a point, this time they arrived with purpose. Buoyed by a string of strong performances in recent weeks, the Locomotive played with an attacking mindset from the outset, pressing high and creating dangerous opportunities from the opening whistle.
Former United forward Amando Moreno was instrumental early, pressing United’s back line and helping to dictate the tempo. El Paso’s pressure paid off in the 20th minute when Ricardo Ruiz delivered a pinpoint corner into the box. The cross pulled United goalkeeper Kris Shakes off his line, but the flight of the ball carried past him and met the head of Daniel Carter, who directed it into the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The goal sparked a physical and emotional response from both sides. The match saw multiple yellow cards before halftime, and tempers flared during two scuffles at opposite ends of the pitch. The officiating came under scrutiny as the center referee worked to maintain control in an increasingly tense atmosphere.
Despite a shaky opening, United found their footing around the 30-minute mark. In the 29th minute, Brazilian forward Fernando narrowly missed an equalizer after misfiring a promising cross from McKinze Gaines. But fortune favored United just minutes later. In the 40th minute, a miscommunication at the back proved costly for El Paso. Goalkeeper Sebastian Mora-Mora attempted to play the ball out to his left but lingered too long, allowing Gaines to pounce and intercept. With a quick pass to the center of the box, Gaines found Marlon Vargas, who slotted the ball home to level the match at 1-1 heading into the break.
The second half saw a tactical shift from both teams as they sought control through more deliberate build-up play. El Paso nearly regained the lead in the 70th minute when Andy Cabrera unleashed a powerful strike from distance, only to be denied by a fingertip save from Shakes that pushed the ball onto the crossbar.
Just three minutes later, United capitalized on a well-orchestrated sequence. Moving the ball fluidly from wing to wing, United pulled the El Paso defense out of position. Mukwelle Akale found space on the left and delivered a curling cross to the far post, where Jaylin Lindsey timed his run perfectly to head the ball past Mora-Mora and give United a 2-1 advantage.
As the clock wound down, United began rotating in fresh legs and looked set to close out the match. But the rivalry’s dramatic nature had one more twist. In the dying seconds of stoppage time, a foul by Talen Maples near midfield gave El Paso a lifeline. With the entire team pushed forward, including the goalkeeper, the ball was launched into the penalty area. A failed clearance allowed Gabi Torres to collect and find Cabrera, who calmly buried a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to tie the match 2-2 and force extra time.
Fatigue set in during the additional 30 minutes, though both teams managed to carve out key chances. United had the best look in the 104th minute when Akale and Thomas Amang broke into the final third. Akale attempted to square the ball for what seemed a certain goal, but a heavy touch let the opportunity slip away.
With no breakthrough in extra time, the match was ultimately decided by penalties. United struggled from the spot, as Gedion Zelalem’s attempt was saved and Kalen Ryden’s shot ricocheted off the crossbar. El Paso, by contrast, was clinical. Cabrera, capping off a standout performance, converted the final penalty to seal the shootout 4-1.
The win marks a significant milestone for El Paso Locomotive, who will now prepare for their Round of 32 matchup against an MLS side with momentum at their backs. For New Mexico United, it’s a painful exit in a match that saw them claw back, take the lead, and come within seconds of victory—only to see it slip away in the most dramatic fashion.
