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New Mexico United will be off from regular-season matches for another week. Instead, United 鈥� and its contemporaries 鈥� will take part in the opening rounds of the USL Cup.

Here are some things to note:

Free kicks

1. Let the games begin: United against AV Alta will represent both clubs鈥� first matchup in the 2026 USL Cup.

What is the USL Cup?

Good question. It鈥檚 the USL鈥檚 World Cup-style tournament that features all 43 teams from the Championship and League One levels, the organization鈥檚 top two tiers. The 43 teams are broken into seven regional groups with each club set to play four group-stage matches. Those will wrap up July 11.

From there, the seven group winners and one wild card (determined by a second-place team, first with the most points and then most goals scored, if necessary) advance to the tournament quarterfinals on Aug. 13. The semifinals are set for Sept. 9, and the final is between Oct. 2-4.

Hartford Athletic won the USL Cup last year. 

2. Groupthink: United is part of Group 2. And which clubs make up Group 2?

Another solid question. Along with AV Alta, Orange County, El Paso Locomotive, Phoenix Rising and Colorado Springs Switchbacks are the other four. AV Alta is the lone League One club in the group.

After Saturday鈥檚 matchup, United is scheduled to play at Colorado Springs (May 16), host Phoenix (June 6) and play at El Paso (July 11). United has already faced the other three this season in regular-season USLC play. It beat Colorado Springs but lost to Phoenix and El Paso.

3. A second helping: The USL Cup is not United鈥檚 first cup competition this season. The club has already taken part in the U.S. Open Cup, which features four leagues, including the MLS.

United opened with a 3-2 win over Cruizers FC on March 18 and then was bounced in the tournament鈥檚 second round, 4-0 by El Paso on April 1.

AV Alta, meanwhile, was upset 1-0 by Valley 599 FC of the United Premier Soccer League in its first-round U.S. Open matchup.

4. Where the Antelopes play: That is part of what AV stands for 鈥� Antelope Valley. Alta refers to the region鈥檚 name prior to California statehood. And that, by the way, is where the club is located. Lancaster, to be exact, about 1 1/2 hours southwest of Bakersfield and 1 1/2 hours north of Los Angeles.

AV Alta is in its second year. It went 8-12-10 last season. Alta is 16th out of 17 clubs in the League One standings.

Key matchup

United forward Greg Hurst vs. AV Alta keeper Denzil Smith

Hurst led United in goals (8) and was second in shots on target (16) against USL competition last season. Through seven matches (including the U.S. Open Cup) this year, the Scotsman is still looking for his first score. Hurst paces United with total shots (9) and attempts on target (5) against USL competition. This might be a good weekend to change that. AV Alta is tied for third in League One in goals conceded with 11. Only New York Cosmos and Westchester SC have allowed more at 13 apiece. Smith has given up nine while in net for Alta, although he has 10 saves, too. So he鈥檚 not really getting too much help from his defense.

Player of the week

United defender Tyler Blackett

Will the former Manchester United player make his New Mexico debut? United manager Dennis Sanchez said earlier in the week Blackett鈥檚 availability was still to be determined, but the defender was participating in practice. Blackett missed more than two years dealing with leg injuries, so United has portrayed a cautious approach to its new addition.

By the numbers

8: The number of goals United keeper Kristopher Shakes has conceded in five USL matches (so, not including the U.S. Open Cup). But he鈥檚 also faced 28 shots in those five USL outings.

7: How many goals AV Alta has scored in its seven matches. Two came against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on March 28 and another two against Athletic Club Boise on April 11. 

6: The number of home matches AV Alta has played this season. Its matchup against United will be its second road contest, following a 3-1 loss at Spokane Velocity on April 7. 

1-0-3: United鈥檚 record in the USL Cup last season. Of the three official ties, the club won two via penalty kicks and lost another the same way.

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