ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, CMC – Zico Bailey, an enterprising full-back who is eligible to represent Jamaica’s Reggae Boys, scored twice as New Mexico United stunned Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake 4-2 to reach the last 16 of the US Open Cup on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old, who featured as part of a holding midfield pair with Dominick Hernandez, netted twice in three minutes in the first half to lay the foundation for the result at the Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.
For New Mexico, the win was historic, as it also marked the first time in their seven-year history that they hosted an MLS club.
“It feels good,” said Bailey, born in the United States to a Jamaican father and a Filipina mother.
“They’re in the first division, at a higher level than us, so we all felt we had something to prove. We had a good result, and everyone performed well, so it feels perfect.”
Bailey put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute when he raced on to a long ball down the right before unleashing a low drive from outside the box to beat goalkeeper Gavin Beavers.
He was on the mark again just 22 seconds after the resumption of play, this time collecting a pass from attacking midfielder Dayonn Harris and driving another low shot past Beavers.
After missing a couple of chances to pull the game back, the visitors finally got on the scoresheet in the 35th minute through Fidel Barajas. Still, they watched as Hernandez struck in injury time to restore New Mexico’s two-goal cushion.
The game became tense after the break when Diego Luna added Real’s second in the 49th, but New Mexico held firm before Jacobo Reyes provided the insurance goal in the 85th.
New Mexico will take on New York City FC II in the next round later this month.
and then 