Soccer is well known for being a sport of unity and since the inception of our team, unity has been at the very forefront of our mission. Many of us view New Mexico United as a community organization before soccer even enters the equation. It is this unity of our dedicated team and supporters to which we can largely attribute our incredible successes on and off the field within this first year.
Soccer is well known for being a sport of unity and since the inception of our team, unity has been at the very forefront of our mission. Many of us view New Mexico United as a community organization before soccer even enters the equation. It is this unity of our dedicated team and supporters to which we can largely attribute our incredible successes on and off the field within this first year.
In the weeks leading up to our Pride on the Pitch match against Oklahoma City Energy FC, our team is reflecting on what unity means to us as individuals, our community and the greater soccer community through graphics on social media, reflecting the bright colors of inclusivity. This drew excitement for the game and appreciation for the players with reactions from fans like @sericlovato (Steven Eric Lovato) on Instagram who shared, “This statement literally made me cry. @codymizell has become one of my favorite people, so to read this statement has me feeling special and accepted. Thank you, Cody. Also, Thank you to @newmexicoutd for not just talking the talk, but also walking the walk. Fostering equality, inclusion and acceptance is truly what UNITY is all about. So, to have a team that represents that is beyond beautiful. #SomosUnidos”
In the weeks leading up to our Pride on the Pitch match against Oklahoma City Energy FC, our team is reflecting on what unity means to us as individuals, our community and the greater soccer community through graphics on social media, reflecting the bright colors of inclusivity. This drew excitement for the game and appreciation for the players with reactions from fans like @sericlovato (Steven Eric Lovato) on Instagram who shared, “This statement literally made me cry. @codymizell has become one of my favorite people, so to read this statement has me feeling special and accepted. Thank you, Cody. Also, Thank you to @newmexicoutd for not just talking the talk, but also walking the walk. Fostering equality, inclusion and acceptance is truly what UNITY is all about. So, to have a team that represents that is beyond beautiful. #SomosUnidos”
Steven is not the only supporter who is excited about unity being front and center at the upcoming match. Our supporters' group, The Curse, is a perfect example of the diversity of our fanbase with many dedicated members from all backgrounds coming together through a shared love of soccer and New Mexico.
Of those supporters, Amanda Telles has emerged as a galvanizer of team spirit through her popular calavera design, which took center stage at our Cinco de Mayo match featured on flags and t-shirts throughout the stadium. This incredible artist and front-line-supporters-section-drummer may have an even more central role in the upcoming game. “David (the leader of The Curse) asked me to actually lead the march on Pride night,” Amanda relates, “and he asked if I wanted to capo.”
While she is unsure whether she will take up that mantle for this match, Amanda is convinced of her Curse family’s support for this game. “They’re all a hundred percent open and loving and we have become so incredibly close in two months, it's weird. All of them are so excited and ready for [the Pride game]. I know that not everyone is open to it, not everyone's going to like it, but I think that everyone likes or loves soccer enough that they’re like; ‘okay if that’s what they want to do then that's fine.’”
Steven is not the only supporter who is excited about unity being front and center at the upcoming match. Our supporters’ group, The Curse, is a perfect example of the diversity of our fanbase with many dedicated members from all backgrounds coming together through a shared love of soccer and New Mexico.
Of those supporters, Amanda Telles has emerged as a galvanizer of team spirit through her popular calavera design, which took center stage at our Cinco de Mayo match featured on flags and t-shirts throughout the stadium. This incredible artist and front-line-supporters-section-drummer may have an even more central role in the upcoming game. “David (the leader of The Curse) asked me to actually lead the march on Pride night,” Amanda relates, “and he asked if I wanted to capo.”
While she is unsure whether she will take up that mantle for this match, Amanda is convinced of her Curse family’s support for this game. “They’re all a hundred percent open and loving and we have become so incredibly close in two months, it’s weird. All of them are so excited and ready for [the Pride game]. I know that not everyone is open to it, not everyone’s going to like it, but I think that everyone likes or loves soccer enough that they’re like; ‘okay if that’s what they want to do then that’s fine.’”
New Mexico United was not Amanda’s first brush with soccer or the United Soccer League (USL). In fact, she was *gasp* a Timbers fan before black and yellow overtook her wardrobe. “I love soccer. Like, soccer is my life. I’ve loved it since I was little, I’ve played it and I’ve traveled all over the country to go watch – the US Women's National teams game [and the] National Men's teams game, the Thorns and the Timbers. The Women's league and has a particularly strong LGBTQ following for the women’s games, both in the national team and in the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League), but to have that here in New Mexico and have it combined with the other thing that I love more than anything in the world is going to be really cool.”
New Mexico United was not Amanda’s first brush with soccer or the United Soccer League (USL). In fact, she was *gasp* a Timbers fan before black and yellow overtook her wardrobe. “I love soccer. Like, soccer is my life. I’ve loved it since I was little, I’ve played it and I’ve traveled all over the country to go watch – the US Women’s National teams game [and the] National Men’s teams game, the Thorns and the Timbers. The Women’s league and has a particularly strong LGBTQ following for the women’s games, both in the national team and in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), but to have that here in New Mexico and have it combined with the other thing that I love more than anything in the world is going to be really cool.”
"I think that the cool thing about soccer—and it should be the same for any sport, but it's not—is that gender and identity and beliefs and all that, they don’t matter. When people are out on the pitch playing they’re playing to win, they’re playing for our state, they’re playing for our community—gay, straight or otherwise. And I don’t think that for that ninety minutes people care if there are rainbow flags in the stands." – AMANDA TELLES
“I think that the cool thing about soccer—and it should be the same for any sport, but it’s not—is that gender and identity and beliefs and all that, they don’t matter. When people are out on the pitch playing they’re playing to win, they’re playing for our state, they’re playing for our community—gay, straight or otherwise. And I don’t think that for that ninety minutes people care if there are rainbow flags in the stands.” – AMANDA TELLES
As someone who identifies with the community which we are celebrating at Pride on the Pitch, Amanda is happy to see her local soccer club embracing unity in such an open way. “I think that the cool thing about soccer—and it should be the same for any sport, but it's not—is that gender and identity and beliefs and all that, they don’t matter. When people are out on the pitch playing they’re playing to win, they’re playing for our state, they’re playing for our community—gay, straight or otherwise. And I don’t think that for that ninety minutes people care if there are rainbow flags in the stands. I think it’s just a huge benefit for queer kids, and I guess adults too, but I really think that Gay Pride is more beneficial to kids growing up. For the older generation who’ve been fighting that fight who’ve seen how far we have come, it's just more affirmation that things are changing and it’s nice," said Telles.
"I think that it has no impact on the game whatsoever except for that it’s going to be a way to show people we love you for who you are, please continue to support us and we’ll continue to support you.”
As someone who identifies with the community which we are celebrating at Pride on the Pitch, Amanda is happy to see her local soccer club embracing unity in such an open way. “I think that the cool thing about soccer—and it should be the same for any sport, but it’s not—is that gender and identity and beliefs and all that, they don’t matter. When people are out on the pitch playing they’re playing to win, they’re playing for our state, they’re playing for our community—gay, straight or otherwise. And I don’t think that for that ninety minutes people care if there are rainbow flags in the stands. I think it’s just a huge benefit for queer kids, and I guess adults too, but I really think that Gay Pride is more beneficial to kids growing up. For the older generation who’ve been fighting that fight who’ve seen how far we have come, it’s just more affirmation that things are changing and it’s nice,” said Telles.
“I think that it has no impact on the game whatsoever except for that it’s going to be a way to show people we love you for who you are, please continue to support us and we’ll continue to support you.”
Join Amanda, New Mexico United and The Curse at the most colorful game this season on June 5th in Isotopes Park!
Get your tickets to this match early to secure your spot at our Pride festivities! Be one of the first 5,000 supporters in the gate at 5:30pm to get a free rainbow flag, featuring the New Mexico United shield, so you too can stand united in taking soccer, the state and every single fan to the next level!
Join Amanda, New Mexico United and The Curse at the most colorful game this season on June 5th in Isotopes Park!
Get your tickets to this match early to secure your spot at our Pride festivities! Be one of the first 5,000 supporters in the gate at 5:30pm to get a free rainbow flag, featuring the New Mexico United shield, so you too can stand united in taking soccer, the state and every single fan to the next level!
