Saturday

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Weidner Field, Colorado Springs

TV/streaming: New Mexico 50/ESPN+

Regular-season records: New Mexico United (3-3-1), Colorado Springs Switchbacks (2-2-4)

The series: United leads 13-4-3.

New Mexico United will put the regular season on hold for another week. Why? The USL Cup is back for its second showing of the year.

Here are some things to note:

Free kicks

1. FILL IT UP: For a refresher, the USL Cup is the governing body’s World Cup-style tournament that features all 43 teams from the Championship and League One levels. There’s a group stage with the top clubs advancing to a single-elimination knock-out round.

Both United and Switchbacks won their group-stage opener. New Mexico topped League One AV Alta FC 2-1 on April 25, while Colorado Springs beat Phoenix Rising FC 1-0.

Both have two more group-stage matches after Saturday’s meeting. United hosts Phoenix on June 6 and will play at El Paso Locomotive FC on July 11. Switchbacks host El Paso and play at Orange County FC.

The knock-out portion of the tournament begins Aug. 13.

2. THERE’S A FAMILIARITY THERE: United and Switchbacks have met 20 times (excluding preseason friendlies) since New Mexico’s first season in 2019. So far, it’s been a rather one-sided affair with United winning 13 of those matchups.

That includes a regular-season showing this year. New Mexico beat Colorado Springs 3-2 in its home opener thanks to some late dramatics. Defender Ousman Jabang scored the game-winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time after Switchbacks’ Khori Bennett came through with an equalizer in the 94th minute.

3. OH, THOSE ROAD WOES: Sure, this is USL Cup play, meaning it doesn’t affect the regular-season standings, but United could do with a win outside of Albuquerque.

New Mexico is 4-1-1 in designed home matches (between the regular season, U.S. Open Cup and USL Cup). It’s been a bit different on the road. The club is just 1-3 in such contests. The win? That came at Orange County SC on April 4. The score was 1-0.

Overall, United has been outscored 6-2 on the road.

4. NO SWITCHING HERE: Colorado Springs certainly seems to be a fan of draws. Switchbacks have tied in three of its last four regular-season matches.

And all four of the clubs’ draws have come with some late theatrics. An equalizer in the 67th minute in Colorado Springs’ season opener at El Paso, another in the 79th minute against Lexington SC, San Antonio committing an own goal in the 10th minute of stoppage and an 96th-minute equalizer against Orange County.

Key matchup

United defender Ousman Jabang vs. Switchbacks forward Khori Bennett

Jabang provided the game-winner the last time these clubs played, but the defender and his teammates will have a bit of work in front of them. Well, that is the preferred direction, anyway. Better than behind, right? Bennett is tied for the USL regular-season lead with El Paso’s Rubio Rubín with seven goals. Jabang leads United in interceptions (8), tackles (12) and duels won (33).

Player of the match

United forward Dayonn Harris

The forward has had a knack for finding some open teammates. Harris leads New Mexico with four regular-season assists, including a pair against Las Vegas Lights FC last weekend.

By the numbers

2: Where Switchbacks rank goals scored in USL Championship play. Colorado Springs has 17, three behind El Paso.

4: Where Switchbanks rank in goals conceded. Colorado Springs has allowed 16.

3: There’s currently a three-way tie for first place in Group 2 in the USL Cup between United, Switchbacks and El Paso.

2023: The last time United lost to Colorado Springs. Switchbacks won 2-1 on April 22 that year. New Mexico is unbeaten in the last five matchups.

David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.

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Minnesota United continues to underwhelm at Allianz Field.

The Loons dropped all three points in St. Paul in a 1-0 loss to Colorado Rapids on Wednesday and MNUFC fell to 2-2-2 at home this season.

MNUFC (6-4-3, 21 points) also lost a 2-1 lead in a 2-2 draw with Austin FC on Sunday.

Colorado (5-7-1, 16 points) had scored only one goal in its previous four MLS games, but did the minimum to pull out the Western Conference win.

The Loons trailed 1-0 at the half after Rafael Navarro scored in the 26th minute. Paxten Aaronson beat Owen Gene in midfield and Jefferson Diaz’s positioning allowed Navarro to remain onside and have acres of space to beat goalkeeper Drake Callender.

Minnesota had the first early scoring chance in the 12th minute when Joaquín Pereyra started a breakaway down the left channel for Kelvin Yeboah, but the Loons striker gave the ball away when trying to get it onto his favored right foot.

In the 29th minute, James Rodriguez’s shot from outside the box hit the upper left corner of the woodwork. Then Rodriguez’s passed to Anthony Markanich, but Markanich’s that shot also hit the frame.

Minnesota head coach Cameron Knowles made five changes to the starting lineup after the 2-2 home draw with Austin FC on Sunday.

James started his final game with United; he will leave MNUFC after the game to join Colombia’s men’s national team to prep for the World Cup and won’t return to Minnesota for the second half of the MLS season.

James exited in the 63rd minute, capping his MLS stint with no goals and two assist in 195 minutes across six appearances.

Michael Boxall, who will join New Zealand for the World Cup, made his first start since the Loons’ home opener on Feb. 28. The center back missed eight straight MLS games with an adductor injury, but subbed in the previous two matches.