GAME DAY: NM UNITED AT NEW YORK CITY FC II
Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., ussoccer.com (streaming) PLAYERS TO WATCH
New Mexico (6-2-1 USL Championship): For this U.S. Open Cup matchup, defender Chris Gloster certainly bears watching. After all, the match amounts to a homecoming for Gloster, who spent two seasons with MLS NYCFC and was part of a league championship in 2021. Gloster has played or trained with members of the current MLS Next Pro squad and may have an opportunity to put his insider knowledge to use. Gloster has been solid in USL Championship play, racking up 8 interceptions, 8 tackles won and 26 duels won in eight appearances. Midfielder/forward Daniel Bruce made his presence felt in NMU’s previous two Open Cup wins, scoring a goal and contributing
posting two assists. Midfielder Sergio Rivas also has begun to find a rhythm since returning from a hamstring injury. Rivas made just his second USLC start vs. Oakland. New York City FC II (3-3-2 MLS Next Pro):
The Baby Blues, as NYCFC II is affectionately known, have not exactly been lighting up the scoreboard in league play, but they’ve stayed afloat with solid defense. U.S. Open Cup has been a different matter. NYCFC II has outscored its three opponents 8-4 and picked up back-to-back wins over USL Championship sides Hartford and Colorado Springs. Jonathan Jimenez has been the catalyst with four goals in Open Cup play — tied for the most in this year’s tournament. Jimenez also has three goals in league play thus far. Striker Taylor Calheira (2 goals, 2 assists) and forward Jonathan Shore (4 goals) have also been productive on the scoring end. The Baby Blues have been riding a hot goalkeeper in Alex Rando of late. He posted a clean sheet in NYCFC II’s 1-0 win over Colorado Springs.
NOTEWORTHY: NYCFC II is the only Division III club still alive in this year’s Open Cup and as such secured a $25,000 prize. New Mexico is one of nine USLC clubs among the final 16 and could earn its own $25,000 paycheck if it is the final Division II team left standing. The tournament’s eventual champion pockets $300,000 (regardless of division), with the runner-up taking home $100,000.