IndiaAIFounders — LaCava continues to embrace different roles, whatever they may be

Jake LaCava admittingly might have been a bit out of practice.

Admittingly, it would have been hard to blame him.

It had been a while since the New Mexico United defender found himself in a position to celebrate a goal. Well, before Sunday’s 2-0 win over Phoenix Rising FC in the Western Conference playoff quarterfinals that is.

He opted to run over to the home crowd, face stoic and held out his arms.

“My mind goes more towards defending first these days and kind of contributing where I’m needed,” LaCava said with a smirk. “The celebrations just kind of come on a wim.”

LaCava tacked on the insurance goal in the 48th minute, shortly after a deflected shot hit him in the chest from him 35 yards out, allowing him to maneuver to just outside the top-right of the box and hit the bottom left corner of the net.

Jake LaCava's first career goal for @NewMexicoUTD earns him tonight's @PrinxTiresUSA Most Valuable Performer honors! #USLonCBS | #PrinxTiresUSA pic.twitter.com/sH5yb1CLsz

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) November 2, 2026

It was his first score since a USL Cup match against League One side Union Omaha on June 28, 2025 when he was with San Antonio FC. It was his first USL Championship goal since a match against Lexington SC on March 29, 2025.

“He deserves it,” said captain and forward Greg Hurst, who scored Sunday’s first goal to set the United scoring record with 39 in a career. “I don’t think anyone deserves it more. He came in as a (forward) winger (in the offseason) and he’s had to slot in at right-back for us (this year) and he’s done an unbelievable job.

“You see the work rate and the energy he gives us and gets forward all the time, he defends well and he’s got a great right foot on him.”

It’s a movability and versatility that has been beneficial — and valued by different clubs — since LaCava began his professional career in 2018-19: put him in and teach him a new position, and he can learn it. It’s also an adjustment that comes with different learning curves at different times.

The 25-year–old has started 13 of the 25 USL Championship matches he played in, Sunday’s playoff win included, this season. All 13 have come at right-back. Same for the USL Cup matchup against USL League One side AV Alta FC.

Those have been the only times in his career LaCava has primarily started and been used as a defender. The other 117 — out of 194 appearances — have come in more offensive-focused positions: center forward (30 caps), left winger (22), left midfield (20), right midfield (19), right winger (11), attacking midfielder (9), central midfield (5), second striker (1).

That includes twice this season, both of which have come in New Mexico’s U.S. Open Cup contests. He started as a right winger against Cruizers FC, a member of the fourth-tier National Premier Soccer League on March 18. He then lined up as a right midfielder against fellow Championship club El Paso Locomotive FC on April 1.

Those are the positions he’s scored 31 of his 32 career goals, including 13 with Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2022, and contributed 21 of his 24 assists.

“Because I’m still new to right-back, a lot of these games are challenging for me, more so mentally than physically,” LaCava said. “… I was a winger all my career, so kind of transferring a little bit of the attacking mindset to more of a defensive one — when the ball is far, looking close, trying to coordinate marks and things like that.

“The guys are doing a fantastic job of sticking with me and helping me through it. The coaching staff has been phenomenal and helped me through it and kept me on my task, so I’m happy with my progress.”

United appears to be, too.

In non-Cup competitions, LaCava has registered 37 clearances, 10 interceptions, eight blocks and won 15 of 23 tackle attempts as well as 42 of 91 duels.

That’s in addition to the help he can provide in the opposing third. Of LaCava’s 18 shots, six have been on target (33%).

“I think that he’s found a home as a fullback (and) just giving us another kind of an attacking threat,” said manager Dennis Sanchez, whose club hosts Colorado Springs Switchback FC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. “He’s grown a lot defensively, just at dueling, and really understanding of the position. I thought that he took a really good moment (Sunday) and stepped up.”

Perhaps there will be more.

It’ll likely, however, come down to whatever role he’ll need to play. Not that it’s been a problem before.

“Picking and choosing my moments has been something I’ve had to come to terms with this year,” LaCava said. “Obviously, playing a little further back, my chances come few and far between, so it’s about having more composure in those moments and taking my chances when they arrive.”

David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.