Easy Jimenez, head coach of La Cueva boys soccer, said on ESPN Radio 101.7 "THE TEAM" that the inaugural New Mexico United High School Summer Classic helped set the tone for the preseason. He noted that the absence of some veterans provided younger players an opportunity to stand out.
"I love this time of the year," said Easy Jimenez. "we're getting closer to season. for the young ones to step up they really look good. we treat it at a different level."
According to the podcast, Coach Jimenez celebrated his team’s victory at the tournament, describing it as "a class act" and appreciating the chance to test his roster despite missing seven seniors. "For the young ones to step up, they really looked good," he said, highlighting that he started five sophomores and two freshmen and was "excited to watch" them compete against experienced teams. The Bears secured the title with a 5–4 penalty shootout win over Rio Grande, which Jimenez mentioned "got a little chippy" but ultimately demonstrated that "everybody was out there to win."
La Cueva's victory came in a competitive field of twelve teams divided into two groups of six. This preseason event was organized by New Mexico United, a professional club aiming to provide high school programs exposure to competitive matches and professional-style operations—such as branded training shirts and media exposure—before the regular season began.
Despite missing several senior players due to offseason vacations, Coach Jimenez fielded a lineup featuring five sophomores and two freshmen. These younger athletes showed maturity and resilience during high-pressure moments, earning praise from Jimenez for maintaining team coherence. This flexibility not only tested depth but also highlighted the program’s developmental strength ahead of district competition.
Jimenez has been leading La Cueva boys soccer for the 2024–25 season, continuing a tradition established by predecessors like Kevin Driggs and seven-time title winner Larry Waters. Under his leadership, La Cueva reached consecutive state finals in 2023 and 2024 but narrowly lost the 2024 championship in overtime to Centennial 2–1 in Class 5A.
Editor's note: This article includes excerpts from an interview conducted on "TEAM Talk" with Joe O'Neill, Adam Diehl, and Andres Chavez. "TEAM Talk" airs Monday through Friday between 4 p.m.-7 p.m. on ESPN Radio 101.7 TheTEAM.
