Given the result, there’s an argument to be made that I should’ve stayed home and watched Scrubs, but I will always choose New Mexico United and Open Cup nights. Upward and onward, boys.

There’s nothing like New Mexico United @opencup.ussoccer.com action on a Wednesday night. 💫

🧵 1/3 Busy few days in my life and I’m behind on some key news! Arturo Astorga (#15 and #23) completed his remarkable comeback from the season-ending and career-jeopardizing injury he sustained in 2024 to sign a 25-day deal. www.newmexicoutd.com/news/2026/03...

The new Mineral Kit makes it first look book appearance 👀

This is fantastic

Need to get ready for the USL Championship season? This is the place to do it. My team-by-team preview is up now, with nearly 30,000 words covering the transfer moves, tactical outlook, and depth chart for all 25 Championship clubs. Check in! ⬇️ www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

Today is the LAST DAY to order the United by the Numbers kit from Olive & York! Thanks to our wonderful spokesperson, Eddie Vedder, for modeling our kit in this 100% legit video that definitely wasn’t slapped together in 4 minutes! 🔗 LINK IN BIO. www.instagram.com/reel/DVWfQe_...

📚 The Protagonist Zine - Issue Two, “Songs of the Southwest” goes to print this week and it’s not too late to grab a copy! 🌵 From The Rio Grande Valley to Tucson; from ABQ to El Paso, we have soccer stories from the SW www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/rdli1h4...

Just gonna piggyback here. Minimum wage for California is $16.50/hr. USL isn’t even $2 above minimum wage in California with their proposal. And that’s with two months going unpaid and no mandated health insurance FOR A PROFESSION WHERE YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR BODY ON THE LINE.

Maybe if someone attached a carbon copy of the USLPA’s proposal to a real estate offer, the Papadakis’ would go for it

Minimum wage in New Mexico is $12/hour, or $24,960 per year. The USLPA is asking for a contract minimum of $43,400 (roughly $21/hour). The USL has offered $38K ($18/hour). That’s $6 bucks more than New Mexico minimum wage. Six. And no mandated health insurance. But, hey, pro/rel!

Some content on former United players Alex Tambakis (#1) and One-Day Keeper Club member Danny Vitiello (#21). 🧤

Thank you to everyone who bought a kit yesterday. Sincerely, it means the world.🥹 I can’t wait to see the #14 brigade assembled! The presale runs through March 1st, so you can still grab one if you haven’t! Thanks again, fam. 💛🖤 oliveandyork.com/products/uni...

Happy Valentine’s Day! 🖤💛 The presale for the United by the Numbers Kit by @oliveandyork.com is open NOW! Link is below, and in the bio. Thank you @flockofmoons.bsky.social and @seekees.co! #UBTN #SomosUnidos #UnitedByTheNumbers oliveandyork.com/products/uni...

The cases for both Kris Shakes (#13) and Raiko Arozarena (#56) to be the first-choice keeper, and an update on our old friend Alex Tambakis (#1).

Cristian Nava (#45 and #11) is back. Don’t postpone joy. Go ahead and feel great about this. open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/n...

Very happy to see Cristian Nava making a return to @newmexicoutd.bsky.social after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Nava made 22 appearances for #SomosUnidos before injuries derailed things. The 22-year-old linked up with the club and earned a new deal. www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

The United by the Numbers kit by @oliveandyork.com drops tomorrow! Here’s an explainer of the kit design and an introduction to the sponsors, @flockofmoons.bsky.social and Seekees Consulting, LLC! #UBTN #UnitedByTheNumbers #SomosUnidos

Yesterday, New Mexico United announced the signing of Joseph Melto Quiah. In Tucson, he was the mysterious trialist in the #14, so that will almost certainly be his number here. www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

🚨 ON SALE THIS SATURDAY!🚨 United by the Numbers is a forthcoming book detailing the history of New Mexico United by uniform number. To celebrate the project, we are proud to present the United by the Numbers kit by @oliveandyork.com, brought to you by @seekees.co and @flockofmoons.bsky.social!

Coming Valentines Day… 💛🖤

Spring is for optimism. 🌵 ubtn.substack.com/p/hope-sprin...

Last night, I went on the @unitedfrontpod.bsky.social to talk uni numbers and all things @newmexicoutd.bsky.social preseason and roster construction. Here’s the link if you missed it. Thanks, Jacob and Seth! www.youtube.com/live/hcaqMZN...

Galactic Ambassadors doing the lord’s work

Huge thank you to Cody Mizell (#1 and #24) for taking time to answer questions for the forthcoming United by the Numbers book. Cody is the 55th (!!) first team player that I’ve been fortunate enough to interview for this work. I can’t thank Cody and the others enough for their generosity of time.

When I see New Mexico United put out training photos on social media

Excellent write up by Jeff Rueter. Perfect description of being an American who loves the beautiful game but can’t find the joy of it amidst the horrors happening. I struggle to care about player announcements, national games, or typical “silly season” pondering that once offered me thrill & joy 😞

Galactic Amb say, remember: Players support fans. Fans support teams. Teams support the league The League supports the players. #WeStandWithTheUSLPA

1/3 🧵UNI NUMBER REVEAL THREAD!🧵 The first presser of the year is complete and all of the mysteries of the uni-(number)verse have been revealed!Amazingly, the club, as of now, does not have a keeper who will be wearing the #1 shirt! Here are uni number confirmations from the players themselves:

Guess-the-uni-number contest! Details in the IG reel below! 🧢 www.instagram.com/reel/DTzCcuV...

In retrospect, I love this photo that revealed Maliek Howell will be #27, but cleverly hides Greg Hurst’s new uni number. 🕵🏻‍♂️

Here’s a run-down of the esteemed Two-Timers Club: www.unitedbythenumbers.com/all-time-ros...

New Mexico United have announced the signing of Jake LaCava and shared a post with him in the #17! This would indicate that Greg Hurst is about to become the 10th member of the Two-Timers Club, a select group of players who have worn two numbers for United. Our bet is on the #9.

Insightful commentary on the departure of Talen Maples (#12) and what a center back partnership of Kipp Keller (#4) and Maliek Howell (unofficially #27) might look like.

New Mexico United have signed goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena, another former LV Lights player joining Dennis Sanchez in New Mexico. Arozarena joins Kris Shakes in the local goalkeepers union. Shakes seems likely to pounce on the available #1 shirt while I’m hoping Raiko wears his signature #56.

Need to get acquainted with the new batch of USL clubs debuting in 2026? I preview that, and then I look ahead to the next wave for 2027 and beyond.

Welcome to the USL Mr. Mangione, I hope that you (and your family) get healthcare as a standard part of the CBA.

🧵 1/3 Looks like some big reveals in the latest set of pics from United’s IG today! First, it looks like Niall Reid-Stephen has chosen the #7. If this is true, then that likely spells the end of the Sergio Rivas era (barring the unlikely scenario where he re-signs and wears a new, third number).

🧵 1/2 New Mexico United have signed former University of New Mexico Lobo and Albuquerque Sol player Maliek Howell. He’s worn #24 and #12 recently (both currently available with the departures of Jaylin Lindsey and Talen Maples, respectively). www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

Lovely piece on a lovely guy. Jermaine Fordah (#2) signed with New Mexico United in 2024, but sadly didn’t see game time. You’ll remember him from his time between the sticks with El Paso. He was also the keeper for Loudoun United in the dreaded Austin Yearwood red card game. Yeah, that one.

The good news? The #12 is available again for backup keepers. That’s all I got. Beyond that, we’re losing a team captain, an all-league defender and one of our leading scorers. I’m sure reinforcements are coming, but “replacing” him will be very difficult. www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

Urban Legend (and actual legend): Madison Hammond Hallowed Grounds: UNM’s Johnson Field Best Youth Club: New Mexico United Academy Best Soccer Bar: Tin Can Alley Thanks for the tag @blackdiamondsnm.bsky.social!!

"The El Paso Locomotive are weird"

@newmexicoutd.bsky.social has re-signed Gedion Zelalem (#6). The anchor at the base of United’s midfield, Zelalem got better and better as the season progressed. He’ll look to extend his record for most appearances in all competitions(29) by a #6 for the club. Welcome back, Gedi!

Fantastic peripherals for Reid-Stephen.

Beyond the 90 on Substack estimates the transfer fee to be between $25,000 and $40,000. open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...

New Mexico United has acquired the dynamic Niall Reid-Stephen for a mysterious, record-tying transfer fee for deals between Championship and League One clubs. Reid-Stephen was First Team All League One last year and is a *great* bet to be our next #10. www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

New Mexico United signs center forward Justin Rennicks (number TBD) for the 2026 season and long-time goalkeeper Alex Tambakis (#1) looks set to depart. open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/j...

Alex Tambakis (#1) appears to be off to a new destination. The USL Championship’s all-time leader in saves will also leave the #1 shirt vacant here in New Mexico. We’ll be watching closely to see if Kris Shakes makes a move away from #13. Best of luck, Alex! www.instagram.com/reel/DSxmotd...

New Mexico United have signed their first new face for the 2026 season in 26-year old forward Justin Rennicks. Justin wore the #9 with his previous club, AC Oulu in Finland, and might be on track to become the fifth #9 in club history… 👀 www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...