New Mexico United returned to the Land of Enchantment for their preseason home opener and bested El Paso Locomotive FC by a 3-1 final score. A first career pro goal for Alex Waggoner and a brace for Daniel Bruce paced the Black & Yellow, as they continued their unbeaten start to the preseason.
Locomotive FC got the scoring started early in this one. In the fourth minute, a turnover in the United box resulted in a quick putaway and an early lead. New Mexico responded quickly, though, with several shots in quick succession just three minutes later. But the breakthrough came in the ninth minute as Josh Suggs curled a cross from the left side of the pitch, about 25 yards out, and found the head of Waggoner, who bashed home the score, for his first ever as a member of the senior club.
In the 33rd minute, United took the lead for the first time, as Daniel Bruce took a pass at the top of the box, and fired low and to the near post for a 2-1 United advantage. Eight minutes later, it was Bruce again finding frame, chipping a ball past the keeper for a 3-1 lead that United would not relinquish.
United will look to continue their successful start to the preseason on Saturday, as they take on CSU Pueblo at 3 PM at the First Financial Credit Union Training Center.
