EL PASO, Texas – New Mexico United delivered a comeback 2-1 victory against rival El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday night for its traveling support at Southwest University Park as United offseason newcomers Neco Brett and Tabort Etaka Preston both found the net for the visitors.

Brett almost introduced himself immediately to the rivalry with a shot that flashed just wide of the left post in the sixth minute, but it was El Paso that hit the front midway through the first half when Emmanuel Sonupe got in behind the United back line and after drawing New Mexico goalkeeper Alex Tambakis played a pass centrally for Dylan Mares to finish.

Locomotive FC almost doubled its lead just before the half-hour mark as first Andrew Fox forced a low save by Tambakis before United States U-20 international Diego Luna hit the right post with a shot from the left side of the penalty area moments later. Instead, it became New Mexico’s turn to flip the game around as Brett broke onto a flicked pass by Daniel Bruce and then deftly lobbed the goalkeeper from 20 yards to level the game at the break.

New Mexico’s Chris Wehan almost struck in the final minute of the first half with a shot just wide of the left post from the top of the penalty area, but in the 66th minute United took the lead as Justin Portillo collected an errant pass out of the back and quickly found Preston in an onside position, allowing the Cameroonian forward to control and shoot past the goalkeeper and a covering defender on the goal line. From there, the visitors saw out the result, holding El Paso to only three shots on target despite Locomotive FC ending the game with 73 percent of possession.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Neco Brett, New Mexico United – The Jamaican forward notched his second goal in as many games for United and had three shots overall while winning 4 of 7 duels in leading the forward line.

Scoring Summary
ELP – Dylan Mares (Emmanuel Sonupe) 22’
NM – Neco Brett (Daniel Bruce) 32’
NM – Tabort Etaka Preston (Justin Portillo) 66’

Full Box Score