Round 2, Fight!

By Seth Biddulph | April 18, 2019 | seekandstrikecollective@gmail.com

Ward vs Gatti, Holyfield vs Tyson, Ali vs Frazier and of course Balboa vs Creed. All the great fights have had their rematches, and United won’t have to wait long before they go up against Phoenix again. The last match between the two clubs was a back and forth affair. Every time United would go ahead, Phoenix would fight back, the match ultimately resulted in a 3-3 draw.

2 braces, 6 goals, 9 yellow cards, 26 shots and 33 fouls. That’s what happened the last time these two clubs met.The only things missing from the last match were a red card and a winner. It’s fair to say that there is a rivalry brewing for the clubs that are separated by only an eight-hour drive.

The timing and location of the match may well play a factor in the outcome. Phoenix have been chosen to host and the match will take place at Casino Arizona Field in Scottsdale, Arizona. The second-round match will extend New Mexico’s road trip to 4 consecutive matches, while Phoenix will now have three matches in a row at home. This also gives pushes the limits of the schedule for United, who now have three matches in seven days, while Phoenix will have three in nine days.

As match day gets closers, we’ll have a more in-depth preview.

This won’t be the only matchup between USL Championship rivals during the second round of the Open Cup. Elsewhere, Austin Bold FC and Tulsa Roughnecks will face off at Bold Stadium in the first meeting between the two clubs. Republic FC and Reno 1868, the other matchup between USL Championship Clubs, will play at Papa Murphy’s Park in Sacramento.

There are some interesting possibilities with the first two rounds. One matchup to watch will be between Greenville Triumph SC and South Georgia Tormenta FC. Other possibilities include a potential matchup between Louisville City FC and Reading United AC, who is a League Two power.

Looking ahead, here are all of the possibilities for the second-round matchups.

Second Round – May 14 & 15

Northeast Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue TBD Hartford Athletic (USLC) vs. New York Cosmos B (NPSL)/Black Rock FC (USLL2) winner TBD Al-Marzook Field (Univ. of Hartford); Hartford, Conn. FC Motown (NPSL) vs. Memphis 901 FC (USLC) Ranger Stadium (Drew University); Madison, N.J. -or- Memphis 901 FC (USLC) vs. New York Red Bulls U23 (USLL2) AutoZone Park; Memphis, Tenn. Erie Commodores FC (NPSL) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC) McConnell Family Stadium (Gannon Univ.); Erie, Pa. -or- Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC) vs. Dayton Dutch Lions (USLL2) Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa. FC Baltimore (NPSL) vs. Birmingham Legion FC (USLC) Homewood Field (Johns Hopkins Univ.); Baltimore, Md. -or- Birmingham Legion FC (USLC) vs. West Chester Predators (Pa.) BBVA Compass Field; Birmingham, Ala. Indy Eleven (USLC) vs. Lansing Ignite FC (USLL1)/AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL) winner Sellick Bowl; Indianapolis, Ind. North Carolina FC (USLC) vs. Richmond Kickers (USLL1)/Virginia United (Va.) winner Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C. Louisville City FC (USLC) vs. Reading United AC (USLL2)/Philadelphia Lone Star FC (NPSL) winner Lynn Stadium (Univ. of Louisville); Louisville, Ky.

Southeast Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue TBD Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) vs. Charleston Battery (USLC) TBD Legacy Early College Field; Greenville, S.C. -or- Charleston Battery (USLC) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (USLL1) MUSC Health Stadium; Charleston, S.C. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC) vs. Lakeland Tropics (USLL2)/The Villages SC (USLL2) winner Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla. Nashville SC (USLC) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USLL2)/ Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1) winner Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium (Middle Tennessee State Univ.); Murfreesboro, Tenn. Charlotte Independence (USLC) vs. Miami FC (NPSL)/Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.) winner Mecklenburg County Sportsplex; Matthews, N.C.

Central Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue TBD Des Moines Menace (USLL2) vs. Saint Louis FC (USLC) TBD Cownie Soccer Park; Des Moines, Iowa -or- Saint Louis FC (USLC) vs. Duluth FC (NPSL) World Wide Technology Soccer Park; Fenton, Mo. OKC Energy FC (USLC) vs. Little Rock Rangers (NPSL)/NTX Rayados (Texas) winner John Crain Field (Univ. of Oklahoma); Norman, Okla. Austin Bold FC (USLC) vs. Tulsa Roughnecks (USLC) Bold Stadium; Del Valle, Texas San Antonio FC (USLC) vs. Laredo Heat SC (NPSL)/Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USLL2) winner Toyota Field; San Antonio, Texas El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC) vs. Bavarian SC (Wis.)/Forward Madison FC (USLL1) winner Southwest University Ballpark; El Paso, Texas Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) vs. Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (NPSL)/FC Denver (Colo.) winner Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colo. Phoenix Rising FC (USLC) vs. New Mexico United (USLC) Casino Arizona Field; Scottsdale, Ariz.

West Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue TBD Academica SC (Calif.) vs. Frenso FC (USLC) TBD Academica Field; Turlock, Calif. -or- El Farolito (NPSL) vs. Frenso FC (USLC) Boxer Stadium; San Francisco, Calif. Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) vs. Reno 1868 FC (USLC) Papa Murphy’s Park; Sacramento, Calif. Las Vegas Lights FC (USLC) vs. Cal FC (Calif.)/FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL) winner Cashman Field; Las Vegas, Nev. Orange County SC (USLC) vs. Orange County FC (NPSL)/FC Golden State Force (USLL2) winner Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, Calif.

The second round matches will take place May 14-15 and kickoff times will be announced at a later date. All US Open Cup matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+

Photo Credit: Josh Lane/NM United

Seth Biddulph is a beat writer for Seek & Strike Collective covering New Mexico United. Follow him on Twitter to join in the conversation. @SethBiddulph