LAFC vs. New Mexico United - 2024 U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
Wednesday, July 10 at 8pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, CA 🏟
TV: FREE on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV 🖥
Radio: 710 AM ESPN 📻, ESPN LA App📱and KFWB 980 AM La Mera Mera 📻
After the Black & Gold’s Sunday match against the Houston Dynamo was postponed due to inclement weather, LAFC returns to action by welcoming New Mexico United of the United Soccer League Championship (Division II) to BMO Stadium for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Despite the postponement, the Black & Gold (13W-4L-4D) remained atop the Western Conference over the weekend with 43 points from 21 matches played.
5 Things To Know - LAFC And The 2024 U.S. Open Cup
LAFC now shifts its focus to the U.S. Open Cup where its current 12-game unbeaten streak across all competitions began with a 3-1 win against the Las Vegas Lights on May 8 at Cashman Field. After that victory in the Round of 32 against its former affiliate, the Black & Gold defeated Loudoun United FC (USLC) 3-0 in the Round of 16 at BMO Stadium on May 21.
Wednesday marks LAFC’s third trip to the Open Cup Quarterfinals and its first since 2019, which was New Mexico United’s inaugural season in the USLC.
New Mexico In Depth:
New Mexico United (11W-4L-1D) currently holds first place in the USLC Western Conference with 34 points from 16 matches played.
The club enters Wednesday’s contest having won four out of its last five games (4W-1L-0D) and is on a three-game winning streak, during which it has outscored opponents 6-2.
New Mexico United’s best run in U.S. Open Cup history came in its inaugural season when it defeated two MLS clubs (Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas) to reach the Quarterfinals, where it was defeated 6-1 by Minnesota United FC. This year NM United has defeated amateurs Lubbock Matadors SC (NPSL), Real Salt Lake (MLS – Div. I), and New York City FC II (MLS NEXT Pro – Div. III) en route to its matchup against LAFC.
Coached by Eric Quill, New Mexico United is on pace for its best season in club history and is aiming for its third straight playoff appearance in the USLC.
The New Mexico attack is led by striker Greg Hurst, who leads the team with seven goals in 16 appearances this season.
The Black & Gold Can Advance If:
It remains focused on the task at hand and avoids underestimating its opponent. The Black & Gold will likely rotate its lineup as it embarks on a stretch of four games in 11 days against clubs eager to disrupt LAFC's current form. Scoring first will be crucial for LAFC to keep the Albuquerque-based club in check as the Black & Gold seeks its first U.S. Open Cup Semifinals appearance since 2018.
New Mexico Can Advance If:
It finds a way to shut down an LAFC attack that has scored 49 goals in 2024 across all competitions. New Mexico will most likely deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to disrupt the Black & Gold’s terrifying transition game, while also looking to surprise LAFC with counterattacks of their own.
