New Mexico United vs Phoenix Rising: USL League One Cup Showdown

New Mexico United and Phoenix Rising renew a familiar rivalry in the USL League One Cup group stage at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, with both sides level on three points and knowing a win could be decisive in Group 2.

New Mexico sit 4th with a goal difference of -3 after a 2-1 home win and a heavy 4-0 away defeat (form: W-L). At home in this competition they have been positive going forward, scoring twice but still yet to keep a clean sheet. Phoenix are 3rd, also on three points with a neutral goal difference (form: L-W), having scored and conceded two in their two home outings; this will be their first away test in the 2026 cup.

Head-to-Head

Head-to-head, Phoenix have had the upper hand recently, winning 3-0 at home in April 2026 and 2-1 in Albuquerque in May 2025. New Mexico did claim a 1-0 away league win in October 2025, while Phoenix edged a dramatic 3-3 League One Cup clash on penalties in June 2025.

With neither side recording a clean sheet in this season’s group stage and their recent meetings producing goals, another open contest looks likely. Verdict: a tight, high-intensity game, with Phoenix slightly favoured to avoid defeat.