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New Mexico United had a five-match unbeaten streak against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

Jonas Fjeldberg appeared determined to break it.

The forward had a hand 鈥� well, actually a foot 鈥� in three-quarters of Switchbacks鈥� goals to lead Colorado Springs to a 4-0 home win Saturday in the second round of group play of the USL Cup. New Mexico last lost to its border neighbor in 2023.

鈥淔ortunately for us, we have a quick turnaround,鈥� United manager Dennis Sanchez said. 鈥溾�� And no injuries occurred tonight.鈥�

Those might have been the only positives.

United, Switchbacks and El Paso Locomotive FC entered the week tied atop the six-club Group 2 standings. The lead spot now solely belongs to Colorado Springs. El Paso doesn鈥檛 play its second USL Cup matchup until May 27.

The top teams from each of the tournament鈥檚 seven regional groupings and one wild card (based on a second-place team with the most points) advance to the knockout stage.

New Mexico will have two more chances to see if it can advance to the second part of the USL Cup. United鈥檚 remaining group-stage matches come against Phoenix Rising FC on June 6 and at El Paso on July 11.

鈥淚 thought our decision-making was poor,鈥� Sanchez said. 鈥淚 thought we were just careless with the ball, which then forced a lot of transition moments where Colorado (Springs) capitalized on.

鈥淪o for me, again, it鈥檚 the trend right now 鈥� outside of one game this year, the games we鈥檝e lost have really fallen on our mistakes, which is something that鈥檚 in our control and something we can improve upon.鈥�

Fjeldberg certainly capitalized on those miscues.

His shot ricocheted off United defender Kipp Keller鈥檚 foot in the 31st minute. Keller, who was awarded an own goal, slid in an attempt to intercept Fjeldberg鈥檚 shot instead of leaving it for keeper Kris Shakes.

Things quickly escalated from there. 

Three minutes later, Fjeldberg provided a lead pass to Yosuke Hanya midfield when the forward split a part of United defenders.

Fjeldberg finally got his goal in the 45th minute. Aidan Rocha tacked on the final score in the 82nd minute. 

It made for a long stretch for Shakes, who had a long match overall. The keeper was inundated with nine on-target shots. Switchbacks had 16 attempts overall.

鈥淪hakes was not the issue tonight,鈥� Sanchez said. 鈥淚 have to go back and look at the goals, but I felt he did his job.鈥�

Some of those issues had to do with Colorado Springs鈥� aggressiveness. Some had to do with New Mexico opting to sit most of its regular starters. 

Of the substitutions listed as available, forwards Niall Reid-Stephen and Greg Hurst, and midfielder Valentin No毛l did not play. Forward Jake LaCava and defenders Ousman Jabang and Maliek Howell checked in at least 15 minutes into the second half. 

United has two USL Championship matches next week that will count toward the regular-season standings. New Mexico hosts Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday and Charleston Battery on Saturday. Both matches are at 6:55 p.m.

鈥淲e were able to get some guys some needed rest and protection for the rest of the week,鈥� Sanchez said. 鈥�(So) it was a combination of that and we wanted to give (other) guys opportunities, and I think it was a good moment to do it.鈥�

United will find out. A better showing is a must.

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