New Mexico United

New Mexico United

Full name	New Mexico United
Nickname(s)	The Black and Yellow, The Kings of Chaos, Roadrunners
Founded	June 6, 2018;6 years ago (2018-06-06)
Stadium	Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park
Capacity	13,500
Owner	Peter Trevisani
Head coach	Eric Quill
League	USL Championship
2023	8th, Western Conference Playoffs: Conference Quarterfinals
Website	Club website
Home colors Away colors Third colors
Current season

New Mexico United is an American professional soccer team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded June 6, 2018, the team currently plays in the USL Championship, the second division of American soccer. The team is owned by Peter Trevisani, with head coach Eric Quill, and play their home games at Isotopes Park which has a capacity of around 13,500 people.

History

Former teams

The state of New Mexico gained its first professional soccer team in the 1990s, the New Mexico Chiles of the American Professional Soccer League and later the USISL. ^{[1] [2]} The team was runner-up for the league title in 1995 and attracted an average home attendance of 3,854, but was folded by its owners in 1996. ^[3] The Chiles was replaced the following season by the Albuquerque Geckos, who entered USISL's Division 3 with new owners and played at a new soccer stadium shared with the collegiate New Mexico Lobos. ^{[4] [5]} The Geckos won the Division 3 championship and were promoted to the second division A-League in 1998, ^[6] but struggled to win matches and were unable to pay players and creditors. ^[7] The team had an average attendance of 1,200 and announced their move to Sacramento, California in October 1998. ^{[8] [9]}

A semi-professional team, the Albuquerque Sol, was established in 2014 to capitalize on the area's interest in soccer. The team's owners stated that their goal was to earn a USL expansion team within a few years and eventually move to Major League Soccer (MLS). ^[10] The Sol commissioned a study in 2016 to analyze a potential downtown soccer-specific stadium with 10,000 seats to support a USL expansion in 2018 and a MLS expansion by 2024. ^[11] The stadium study identified three potential locations in downtown Albuquerque for a stadium, which would cost $24–45 million. ^[12]

USL launch and inaugural season

New Mexico United's Chris Wehan takes a corner kick during a USLC match in 2019

On June 6, 2018, the USL announced an expansion club from Albuquerque that would begin play in March 2019. ^[13] The club announced its name, New Mexico United, and colors on October 9, 2018, following fan suggestions that generated 226 total names. ^{[14] [15]}

The team played its opening match on March 9, 2019, with 12,896 fans in attendance at Isotopes Park. Devon Sandoval scored the team's first-ever goal in a 1–1 draw against Fresno FC. ^[16] New Mexico United enjoyed popular success in its inaugural season, leading the USL Championship in average attendance and selling out Isotopes Park with 15,023 spectators on May 5, 2019. ^{[17] [18]} In the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, the team defeated two MLS clubs (the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas) before losing in the quarterfinals to Minnesota United FC; for the match in Minnesota, the club organized a charter flight from Albuquerque that carried 180 away fans. ^{[17] [19]}

Historical chart of New Mexico United's regular season performance within the American soccer pyramid

2020 season

In March 2020, the USL Championship postponed the 2020 season with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, after New Mexico United had played one game. ^[20] The season restarted in July 2020 with a modified format, placing teams into eight smaller regional groups. The club was placed in Group C with Four Corners opponents Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Real Monarchs, and nearby El Paso Locomotive FC. Due to statewide health orders and quarantine requirements, New Mexico United played all 15 of their regular season matches and both of their playoff matches away from home, earning the local nickname the "Road Warriors." ^[21] The team ended the regular season with a record of 8 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses; a sixteenth planned match against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros was postponed, and eventually cancelled, due to cases of COVID-19 in the Rio Grande Valley organization. ^[22]

The club qualified for the USL Championship Playoffs by coming second in their group. In the Western Conference Quarterfinals, they defeated San Antonio FC in extra time, with Chris Wehan scoring the winning goal in the 101st minute. In the Conference Semifinal, the club lost to El Paso Locomotive 3-5 on penalties, after drawing 1-1 at the end of extra time. ^{[23] [24]}

In March 2020, the club launched the Somos Unidos Foundation, a charitable nonprofit arm of the New Mexico United organization. ^[25]

2021 season

In May 2021, New Mexico United began its competitive season with a 1-0 loss away to Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. On August 21, then 17-year-old Cristian Nava became the first New Mexico United Academy player to sign a professional contract with the club. ^[26]

Club crest and colors

The club's branding draws inspiration from the Zia symbol, seen here on the state flag of New Mexico.

The New Mexico United crest is a simple yellow shield with four black lines that represent the Zia symbol, found on the state flag and used with permission from the Zia people. ^[15] The crest also has a black diamond with the number "18", representing the year the club was founded. ^[14] The yellow-and-black color scheme was colored to reference the state flag while differentiating itself from other local clubs. ^{[14] [15]}

Sponsorship

Season	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor
2019	Adidas	Meow Wolf (home) [27] KraneShares (away) [27]
2020	Puma [28]
2021–2023		Meow Wolf [29] New Mexico True [30] Electric Playhouse (third) [31]
2024–present		Meow Wolf (home) Sandia Resort and Casino (away)

Stadium

The entrance to Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in 2005

The club plays at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, known as only Isotopes Park in 2019 and nicknamed The Lab, a baseball stadium that is primarily home to the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Pacific Coast League. New Mexico United will play at the facility until a soccer-specific stadium is built. ^[32] The Isotopes will remain the primary tenant and the USL team will schedule its home games during away games for the Isotopes. ^[33] The stadium seats 13,500 spectators for baseball games. ^[32]

In February 2020, New Mexico United announced that it would develop a home stadium and community culture center after being awarded $4.1 million in capital outlay funds by the state legislature. ^[34] A public poll of Albuquerque residents conducted in January 2021 found strong support for the construction of the stadium and culture center complex. ^[35]

On July 25, 2021, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announced a stadium financing plan that would involve selling $50 million in public bonds to fund part of the $65–75 million construction cost. ^{[36] [37]} The team agreed to commit $10 million in upfront costs, and another $22 million in rent over the next 25 years. ^[38] The plan was forwarded to the City Council, which agreed to put it to a public vote on November 2. ^[39] The ballot measure was rejected by a 2–1 margin. ^[40]

On 20 August 2024 the Albuquerque City Council approved the construction of the new home stadium to be located at the Balloon Fiesta Park.

Rivalries

New Mexico United has rivalries with El Paso Locomotive FC, with whom they contest the Derby Del Camino Real, and Phoenix Rising FC. ^[41]

Players and staff

Current roster

As of September 11, 2024 ^[42]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   GRE Alex Tabakis 3 DF   USA Chris Gloster 4 DF   TRI Anthony Herbert 5 MF   ATG Dayonn Harris 7 MF   MEX Sergio Rivas 8 MF   USA Nicky Hernandez 9 FW   GHA Abu Danladi 10 MF   ITA Marco Micaletto 11 MF   USA Mukwelle Akale 12 DF   USA Talen Maples 13 GK   USA Kris Shakes 15 DF   USA Arturo Astorga 16 DF   USA Will Seymore 17 FW   SCO Greg Hurst

No. Pos. Nation Player 19 DF   PHI Zico Bailey 20 MF   USA Jacobo Reyes 22 DF   USA Kalen Ryden 25 MF   ENG Daniel Bruce 26 DF   SOM Abdi Mohamed 27 DF   USA Avionne Flanagan 33 DF   USA Harry Swartz 42 FW   USA Jace Sais( [A] ) 45 FW   USA Cristian Nava 47 DF   USA Jackson Dubois 48 MF   USA Yuto Oketani( [A] ) 91 MF   CIV Nanan Houssou — MF   SLV Marlon Vargas (on loan from Colorado Rapids 2)

1. ^
   USL Academy Contract

Technical staff

Title	Name
Head Coach	Eric Quill
Sporting Director	Itamar Keinan
First Team Assistant Coach and Director of Goalkeepers	Nate Walzer
First Team Assistant Coach	Luke Sanford
First Team Assistant Coach	Matt Watson
Head Athletic Trainer and Director of Sports Medicine	Carlos Olivas
Academy Head Coach	David Estrada
Head Academy Scout	Lucien Starzynski

Last updated: January 22, 2024
Source: New Mexico United

Front office

Title	Name
Owner and CEO	Peter Trevisani
President	Ron Patel
Vice President, Media & Impact	David Wiese-Carl
Vice-President, Business Development & Facilities	Clint Gray
Chief Administrative Officer	Desiree Kim
Executive Director of the Somos Unidos Foundation, Community Coordinator	Linnea Romero

Last updated: January 22, 2024
Source: New Mexico United

Ownership

The club's majority owner and team president is New Mexico resident, Peter Trevisani. The club's other owners have ties to New Mexico and include investor Ian McKinnon, TEAM8, Ed Garcia, Ben Spencer, and Jason Harrington. ^[32]

Team records

As of match played April 23, 2022

Year-by-year total

Season	Results							League Pos	Top Scorer 1		Club Captain
	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts 2		Player	G
2019	40	13	15	12	69	71	54	10th, Western	Kevaughn Frater	17	Josh Suggs [43] [44] [45]
2020	17	9	4	4	25	18	31	2nd, Group C	Chris Wehan	7
2021	32	12	10	10	44	40	46	5th, Mountain	Chris Wehan	10
2022	34	13	12	9	49	40	51	5th, Western	Justin Portillo	8	TBA
All-time results 3								All-time records
—	123	47	41	35	151	187	169	—	Chris Wehan	37	—

^ 1. Top Scorer includes all competitive matches.

^ 2. Points assigns the same point values to knockout matches as the same result would receive in the league.

^ 3. All-time results includes all competitive matches.

USL Championship

Season	USL Championship								Play-offs	Top Scorer 1
	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts	Pos		Player	G
2019	34	11	13	10	59	57	46	10th, Western	Conference Play-In Round	Kevaughn Frater	14
2020	15	8	3	4	23	17	27	2nd, Group C [46] [47]	Conference Semifinal	Chris Wehan	6
2021	32	12	10	10	44	40	46	5th, Mountain	Did not qualify	Chris Wehan	10
2022	34	13	12	9	49	40	51	5th, Western	Conference Quarterfinals	Justin Portillo	8

^ 1. Top Scorer includes statistics from regular season league matches only.

USL Cup Playoffs

Season	USL Cup Playoffs 1								Top Scorer
	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Entered	Exited	Player	G
2019	1	0	0	1	1	2	Conference Play-In Round		Devon Sandoval	1
2020	2	1	1	0	2	1	Conference Quarterfinal	Conference Semifinal	Chris Wehan Romeo Parkes	1
2021	DNQ
2022	1	0	0	1	0	2	Conference Quarterfinals	Conference Quarterfinals	–	–

^ 1. Following statistical convention, wins in extra time are recorded as wins. Wins in penalty shootouts are recorded as draws, and shootout goals are not counted as goals for or against.

U.S. Open Cup

Season	U.S. Open Cup 1								Top Scorer
	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Entered	Exited	Player	G
2019	5	2	2	1	9	12	Second round	Quarterfinals	Devon Sandoval Kevaughn Frater	3
2020	Cancelled 2
2021	DNQ / Cancelled 3
2022	2	1	0	1	6	2	Second round	Third round	Jerome Kiesewetter	2

^ 1. Following statistical convention, wins in extra time are recorded as wins. Wins in penalty shootouts are recorded as draws, and shootout goals are not counted as goals for or against.

^ 2. The 2020 U.S. Open Cup was suspended on March 13, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[48] On August 14, the 2020 edition was cancelled. ^[49]

^ 3. The USSF confirmed on March 29, 2021, that the previous season's Conference finalists would participate. ^[50] As Western Conference losing semifinalists, New Mexico United did not qualify. On July 20, 2021, the USSF cancelled the 2021 edition of the tournament. ^[51]

Head coaches

• Includes USL Regular Season, USL Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup. Excludes friendlies.

Coach	Nationality	Start	End	Matches	Win	Loss	Draw	Win %
Troy Lesesne	United States	August 13, 2018	November 5, 2021	89	34	29	26	038.20
Zach Prince	United States	November 15, 2021	June 3, 2023	26	11	6	9	042.31

Average attendance

Year	Reg. Season	Playoffs	U.S. Open Cup
2019	12,693 (1st in USL Championship)	Did not play at home	Did not play at home
2020	Did not play at home	Did not play at home	Cancelled
2021	7,863 (2nd in USL Championship) [52]	DNQ	Cancelled
2022	10,455 (after 13 home matches) [53]	TBD	2,128 (1 match) [54]

Player records

Most goals

• Players in bold are still active with New Mexico United; includes goals in all competitive matches
  • Includes regular season, playoffs, and domestic cup
• As of July 23, 2022. ^[55]

Rank	Player	Nation	Years active	Goals
1	Chris Wehan		2019-2020, 2021–present	34
2	Devon Sandoval		2019–2021	25
3	Kevaughn Frater		2019	17
4	Santi Moar		2019	12
5	Amando Moreno		2020–present	11
6	Neco Brett		2021–present	7
7	Daniel Bruce		2019–present	5
8	Josh Suggs		2019–present	4
10	David Estrada	/	2019-2020	3
	Andrew Tinari		2020-2021
	Ilija Ilić		2021-present

Most appearances

• Players in bold are still active with New Mexico United; includes all competitive appearances, including substitute appearances
  • Includes regular season, playoffs, and domestic cup
• As of July 3, 2024 ^{[56] [57] [58]}

Rank	Player	Nation	Years active	Apps.
1	Daniel Bruce		2019–present	137
2	Josh Suggs		2019–2023	120
3	Devon Sandoval		2019–2022	92
4	Chris Wehan		2019-2020, 2021–present	74
5	Juan Pablo Guzmán		2019–2021	73
	Austin Yearwood		2019–present
7	Rashid Tetteh		2019–2022	69
8	Justin Schmidt		2019–2021	60
9	Cody Mizell		2019–2020, 2022	58
10	Sam Hamilton		2019–present	57

New Mexico United U23

Main article: New Mexico United U23

On January 23, 2020, New Mexico United announced that it will field a U23 team in the USL League Two for the 2020 season, intending for the U23 team to bridge the gap between the High Performance Youth Program and the first team. ^[59] The club was scheduled to compete in the Mountain Division. However, on April 30, 2020, the United Soccer League announced the cancellation of the 2020 League Two season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. ^[60] The U23 team did not participate in the 2021 USL League Two season. ^[61]

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External links

• Official website