Such is the buzz New Mexico United have caused in their first five months as a club, it’s hard to imagine the American soccer scene without them. They’ve been drawing an average of 12,000 fans to home games on Avenida Cesar Chavez in Albuquerque. And many of those fans hit the long, lonesome highway to follow their boys on what is turning into an epic countrywide road show in this, their first-ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Albuquerque’s Road Dogs

It’s never easy being away from your normal routine, your family and out on the road for such long stretches,” said head coach Troy Lesesne, a lean and thoughtful man. “That said, this Open Cup is a tremendous opportunity and it’s a special time for our club. A first-year club, having the kind of opportunities we’re having – we have to make sure we take advantage of this moment and grab it with both hands.”

This is what the Open Cup is all about - @USLChampionship side @NewMexicoUTD pull off the 2-1 win on the road (their 4th away win) against @FCDallas of @MLS to book a Quarterfinal date at @MNUFC. #CUPSET#USOC2019 | 📺 Highlights pic.twitter.com/IAsft1gJ1g — U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) June 20, 2019



It’s tough not to get caught up in the energy coming out of New Mexico United. Three of their four Open Cup games so far went to penalties or extra-time and all them have been on the road – in venues as far away as Denver, Colorado and Dallas, Texas. Their last two wins, epic triumphs over the Rapids of Major League Soccer and 2016 Open Cup champions FC Dallas, have made this freshman second-division club the toast of America’s oldest soccer tournament. And in the team itself, the spirit of the underdog fighting adversity and the Establishment both, is alive and well.