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After taking part in Round 3 of the USL Cup group stage last week, New Mexico United is back in regular-season play on Saturday. The opponent? Orange County SC.

And that usually tends to work in United鈥檚 favor of late.

Here are some things to note:

Free kicks

1. IT鈥橲 BEEN A WHILE: No, not since United and Orange County have played each other. The clubs squared off as recently as April 鈥� New Mexico came away with a 1-0 win in Irvine, California, thanks to a Niall Ried-Stephen鈥檚 goal in the 32 minute.

What has been a while is the last time United actually lost to Orange County. One has to go to July 29, 2023 (also played in California) for that. 

Since then, the clubs have met five times, including three last season.

New Mexico came away with a win and draw in 2024, and went 2-0-1 against Orange County last season. Among those two wins in 2025 was a 2-1 victory on Nov. 8 in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 that knocked Orange County out of USL Championship playoffs and sent United to the Western Conference final.

2. A SHARED SPACE: This doesn鈥檛 pertain to Saturday鈥檚 match, but Orange County will have some company at its facility over the next month.

Championship Soccer Stadium is hosting the United States鈥� men鈥檚 national team during the group stage portion of the World Cup. The U.S. held its first public training session there Monday that, according to Orange County, drew more than 5,000 fans. More than 37,000 entered a ticket lottery.

The U.S. played Paraguay at 7 p.m. Friday in Inglewood, California. Australia and Turkey are also in Group D.

The U.S. is one of three host countries for the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico.

3. WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS? That would probably be ideal for United. Not in terms of water, but goals.

Last Saturday鈥檚 4-0 win over Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Cup was New Mexico鈥檚 highest output this season 鈥� be it regular season, the U.S. Open Cup or USL Cup. Sure, it was against a Phoenix team that opted to start five of its developmental academy players with a two-match week ahead. Did that make it easier? Yes. But, obviously, the ball still has to go in the net.

And that鈥檚 something United has struggled with this season.

New Mexico is tied for 23rd in the 25-team USL Championship with 11 regular-season goals, two ahead of last-place Hartford. United has only recorded multiple goals six times with three coming in cup competitions (1 in the U.S. Open and 2 in the USL). 

Perhaps last weekend鈥檚 showing will help turn that around. It just won鈥檛 be easy. Orange County is tied for second in the league with five shutouts.  

4. LOOKING (MOSTLY) EASTWARD: The USMNT might end up using Orange County鈥檚 stadium more so than Orange County over the next month. 

OK, that might be hyperbole. But Orange County will be getting the chance to see different parts of the country during that stretch. Starting with United, Orange County has five straight road matches and six of its next seven.

After Saturday鈥檚 matchup against New Mexico, Orange County travels to Las Vegas the next week. From there, the club will be enjoying (?) the East Coast with trips to Miami FC, Rhode Island FC and Hartford Athletic. Orange County does get a home game thanks to the USL Cup on July 11, but then makes the short trek to Monterey Bay FC the following week.

That could be good news for Orange County opponents. Could being the operative word. Orange County is 2-3-2 in road matches if one includes USL Cup competitions. 

Key matchup

United forward Niall Reid-Stephen vs. Orange County keeper Alex Rando

Reid-Stephen continues to lead United in regular-season goals with three. (He also scored in last week鈥檚 win over Phoenix in the USL Cup.) But the forward also paces New Mexico in chances created with 15, seven more than four of his teammates tied for second with eight. As mentioned before, Orange County has recorded five clean sheets with Rando being in goal for each of them. He鈥檚 conceded 10 goals and has a 72% save rate.

Player of the match

United forward Dayonn Harris

Harris leads the club with a trio of regular-season assists. He scored in last week鈥檚 USL Cup match. Perhaps that can provide a boost to his regular-season output, which has been stuck at one goal.

By the numbers

2: Orange County鈥檚 placement in the 12-club Western Conference standings. The club has 19 points, two behind San Antonio FC.

7: United鈥檚 place in the standings. New Mexico has 14 points, but is just two from potentially jumping all the way to third.

3-1-1: New Mexico鈥檚 regular-season record at home. The club is 1-3-1 on the road.

141: The number of fouls United has conceded, which ranks 16th in the league. Orange County is 15th with 142.

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