After last weekend's disappointing result against Charleston Battery, New Mexico heads to Arizona to take on the 2023 USL Championship playoff champions, Phoenix Rising. Interesting enough, to win that championship match, Phoenix had to beat Charleston in penalties.

Like many USL clubs, Phoenix had some churn in the off season. Players like Danny Trejo (scored 19 goals in 2023), Manuel Arteaga (15 goals), and Carlos Harvey (6 goals) have left. Phoenix also lost much of their backline due to transfers and retirements. All these transfers predictably have resulted in a rough start to their season, with two losses and a win.

This is an opportunity for New Mexico to shake off the 4-0 loss and move forward with their season. Of course New Mexico also had loads of churn. So neither club is gelling yet. An away away in Phoenix will however be a good way to set the tone for the rest of the season.

The Referee for this match is Alexis Da Silva. Alexis has been showing yellow a lot this season with an average of 7.3 yellows per match (three matches). It is worth noting that in the 2023 season, across 24 matches he only showed a second yellow once, and never gave a straight red.

What are your predictions for this match? Are you attending in person? Are you taking the bus with other New Mexico United supporters?

Ways to watch/participate/listen

• In Person
• ESPN+
• Youtube (international only)
• Estrella TV (KOAT-TV2) 7.2 (Comcast 386, Cable One 28)
• KOAT-TV 10:30pm replay
• ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM
• Official Watch party @ 4 Bosque Brewing locations
• Black Diamonds watch party @ Hollow Spirits
• Curse Watch party @ Tin Can Alley
• Discord match chat
• USL Match Tracker