There’s no getting around it – losing is no fun.

As proud as New Mexico United’s players and fans were at the end of Wednesday night’s 3-1 defeat to Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – where the multiple sections of yellow-clad supporters remained until well after the final whistle and drew plaudits from the home fans – it was still the end of the aim the club had this season to go further than it had five years ago.

When the dust settles, however, there will be plenty that United will gain from competing against a club currently rated in the Top 10 in North America per Concacaf’s rankings.

• EARNING RESPECT: While LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo thought there were areas where his side could have been better in its performance, he also voiced a level of respect for what United brought to the table in his postgame press conference.
  
  “New Mexico is quite a complete squad,” said Cherundolo. “Physicality is definitely there, tactical discipline and the ability to threaten an opponent’s goal. [It’s] no surprise that they’re in first place, absolutely.”
  
  New Mexico is in first place in the Championship’s Western Conference – and got this far in the Open Cup – because as a side it understands what it is and what it wants to accomplish. From old heads like Daniel Bruce and Alex Tambakis to the newcomers brought in by Head Coach Eric Quill this offseason, New Mexico is arguably as complete a side and squad as it’s ever been, and that’s reflected in its results. Hearing that from one of the top coaches in MLS should bolster the side’s belief. 

With this weekend off in the Championship before it returns home to face Birmingham Legion FC on July 20, there will be time to reflect on the good and the bad from Wednesday night before focus switches to what’s next.

There should be little doubt, though, that New Mexico can – and probably will – come out on the other side a better team than it entered.