New Mexico United vs Phoenix Rising: USL League One Cup Group Decider

New Mexico United and Phoenix Rising meet again with knockout-style tension in a USL League One Cup group decider feel at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.

The Group 2 table is tight: Phoenix sit 3rd with 3 points and a 2-2 goal difference, New Mexico 4th also on 3 points but with a -3 differential (2-5). Both sides have identical cup form strips over their two games (Form: W-L), with New Mexico strong at home so far (one 2-1 win) and Phoenix yet to play away in this competition after two home outings (one 2-1 win, one 0-1 loss).

Head-to-Head

Head-to-head, Phoenix have the edge across the last five competitive meetings: three wins in 90 minutes (3-0 and 2-0 at home, 2-1 away), one New Mexico victory (2-1 at home in the 2024 Conference quarter-finals), plus a 3-3 League One Cup draw in 2025 that Phoenix won 3-2 on penalties.

Both teams have scored and conceded twice in this cup campaign, with neither keeping a clean sheet and each failing to score once. With no confirmed injuries listed, both coaches should have close to full squads.

Verdict: A tight, high-stakes group clash where Phoenix’s recent H2H edge suggests a slight advantage, but home comfort keeps New Mexico firmly in the contest.