New Mexico United is New Mexico’s professional soccer team. Founded in 2018, United competes in the USL Championship, with the first team playing its home games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, NM. On June 6, 2018, Leadership from the Club, the USL, and Local Government announced professional soccer would be coming to New Mexico in the form of a USL Championship expansion team. On November 9th, 2018, New Mexico United unveiled its name, colors, and crest. United played its inaugural match on March 9th, 2019 at Isotopes Park in front of 12,896 fans with Albuquerque native Devon Sandoval scoring the first goal in club history.
OUR MISSION
To be an agent of positive change in New Mexico, bringing people together in ways they’ve never come together before.
We are New Mexico, United. We are New Mexico’s professional soccer team, changing the game through the beautiful game. Through a uniquely New Mexican blend of Art and Sport, Grit and Passion, we are elevating our state, unifying our communities, and collectively authoring a multi-generational story of success that every New Mexican can be proud of. For our Club, for our State, forever.
United brings New Mexicans together in ways they’ve never experienced before. In every experience of the brand, United represents a relentless optimism, an infectious energy, and an unwavering belief in all that this state and its people can achieve and become together. At every level, United plays edge-of-your-seat, championship-caliber soccer. With that said, this team does so much more than play soccer. United grows the state’s economy, employs New Mexicans, uniquely marries art and sport, and shows the world that New Mexico is the land of hope, vision, opportunity, and pride.
Somos Unidos. We are United.
CLUB HISTORY
JUN 2018
FRANCHISE ANNOUNCED, FIRST PLAYER SIGNED
Leadership from the Club, USL, and local government announces professional soccer will be coming to New Mexico in the form of a USL Championship expansion team. Albuquerque-native Devon Sandoval announced as club’s first player.
AUG 2018
TROY LESENSE, FIRST HEAD COACH AND TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
On August 13, 2018, ASL New Mexico announces that Troy Lesesne will be the club’s first-ever Head Coach & Technical Director, leading United into their inaugural season.
NOV 2018
NEW MEXICO UNITED BRAND REVEALED
On November 9, 2018, New Mexico United unveils its name, colors, and crest at a massive party at StoryLab in downtown Albuquerque.
JAN 2019
FIRST JERSEY LAUNCHED
On January 19, 2018, New Mexico United launches their first home kit, with New Mexican art collective Meow Wolf as the front-of-kit sponsor.
MAR 2019
FIRST GAME
New Mexico United hosts Fresno FC on March 9, 2019, in front of 12,896 fans! Devon Sandoval scores the first goal in club history.
MAR 2019
FIRST WIN
On March 20, 2019, New Mexico United records the first win in club history, topping Tulsa Roughnecks by a 2-1 score. Santi Moar scores the winning goal.
JUN 2019
OPEN CUPSET
In just the twelfth match in club history, United bests MLS opponent Colorado Rapids in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They would beat FC Dallas two weeks later to earn a spot in the quarterfinal.
JUL 2019
FLYING HIGH TO THE TWIN CITIES
United partners with First Financial Credit Union to charter an airliner and take fans to St. Paul for United’s Open Cup Quarterfinal match vs Minnesota United FC. Hundreds of New Mexicans make their voices heard!
OCT 2019
FIRST SEASON PLAYOFFS
United finishes their inaugural season in 10th, qualifying for the playoffs in their very first year.
NOV 2019
FIRST MURAL IN DOWNTOWN ABQ
New Mexican artist Noe Barnett’s “Somos Unidos” mural is unveiled on Coal Avenue in Downtown Albuquerque – solidifying their commitment to the marriage of Art & Sport.
MAY 2020
A FOUNDATION FOR NEW MEXICO
New Mexico United announces the formation of the Somos Unidos Foundation, serving as the club’s non-profit arm, committed to making New Mexico a better place and breaking down barriers to soccer.
2020
ROAD WARRIORS
Amidst a global pandemic, New Mexico United plays their entire 2020 season on the road, finishing second in Group C in an abbreviated format, and qualifying for the postseason for the second time in as many years. Lesesne is named USL-C co-Coach of the Year.
OCT 2020
ACADEMY ANNOUNCED
United and the Somos Unidos Foundation launch the New Mexico United Academy – a fully-scholarshipped program for high school-aged boys that competes at the highest level. The program makes the playoffs in its first year.
AUG 2021
NAVA COMPLETES PATH-TO-PRO
Albuquerque High School and New Mexico United Academy product Cristian Nava becomes the first player in club history to complete the path-to-pro, signing as a full professional, after excelling as an Academy player. He makes his debut just three weeks prior.
NOV 2021
THE PRINCE ERA BEGINS
Zach Prince – Assistant Coach since club launch – become the second Head Coach in New Mexico United history, succeeding Troy Lesesne after his move to New York Red Bulls (MLS.)
JUN 2023
QUILLBALL COMES TO NEW MEXICO
Eric Quill joins New Mexico United as the third Head Coach in club history, taking over after Prince’s move to DC United (MLS.)
OCT 2023
BEATING THE ODDS
After being given just a 3% chance to qualify for the postseason, Quill and Co. do the unthinkable, and rattle off three straight wins to clinch a postseason berth – the club’s fourth in five seasons.
JUL 2024
U.S. OPEN CUP QUARTERFINAL, PT. II
New Mexico United are giant-killers once again, toppling yet another MLS foe in top-of-the-West Real Salt Lake and becoming just the second non-MLS club in competition history to make the US Open Cup Quarterfinal twice. FFCU and the club once again book a flight – this time to LA to take on LAFC.
OCT 2024
TOP OF THE WEST
For the first time, United finish at the top of the USL Championship Western Conference, earning the #1 seed.
OCT 2024
FIRST HOME PLAYOFF MATCH
United plays host to #8 seed Phoenix Rising FC in their first-ever home playoff match. Will Seymore and Mukwelle Akale score in the comeback victory.
DEC 2024
DENNIS SANCHEZ ARRIVES
Sanchez become the fourth Head Coach in club history, following Quill’s departure to FC Dallas (MLS.)
