New Mexico and El Paso play for first seed in the west
When the USL released their schedule for the 2026 many around the league looked at October 24th and circled this match up. The best rivalry in the USL now has its highest stakes since these two clubs met in the 2020 playoffs. Here’s everything you need to know!
Must be a peach of a hand
Like two great old west gamblers locked in an intense poker game New Mexico and El Paso have been fighting all season. This will be the two teams fourth competitive match up of the season. The two have a shared 1-1-1 (W-L-D) record this season with United winning the last match up in El Paso 2-0 in the Prinx Tires USL Cup. So what is on the line? The winner of this match up wins the Western Conference Regular season and will have home field advantage all the way to the USL Final. However if these two teams tie and Sacramento picks up three points against Oakland Roots, Republic would win the west and United would finish third.
That All Sick
Greg Hurst has been flirting with history all season. The club’s all time record in goals scored is right there for him as he is tied with club legend Chris Wehan at the moment for most all time at 38. An early goal by the Scotsman could send the close to 100 traveling United fans into a frenzy and quickly give New Mexico momentum on the road. Hurst could also tie and or break the club record for most goals scored in a regular season. The Highlander sits at 12 on the season with the single season record sitting at 14 set by Kevaughn Frater in 2019 and Chris Wehan in 2021. Saturday night in El Paso could be one for the history books.
Golden
Not many players have had as great of a season as El Paso’s Rubio Rubín who is in the hunt for the golden boot in the USL Championship. Rubín’s 16 goals on the season is tied for the lead with Phoenix Rising’s Ihsan Sacko. With a chance at the scoring title and the west on the line Rubín will be a big factor in this match.
Where to Watch
In Person: Southwest University Park, El Paso Texas
TV: NM50 and Estrella TV
Streaming: KRQE.com, and ESPN+
Radio: 101.7 The Team
Match Previews are powered by Ezee Fiber.
