Madison Hammond? New Mexico Chiles? And a Black Diamonds shout out? Grab this one while you can.

Tonight I had the privilege of conducting my 50th (!!) New Mexico United player interview for the forthcoming United by the Numbers book. Thank you to Abdi Mohamed (#26), a wonderful player and incredible human, for participating in this project. 📸: @newmexicoutd.bsky.social

The one where Jake gets super emo thinking about any of our guys moving on 🖤 open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/s...

We support: Full Year contracts. Healthcare Safe Working Environments. #ProStandards

It’s that time of year, folks. Make sure you pin/bookmark/leave-this-page-open-permanently for quick reference.

"I feel that the expectations that I have with this group and myself, we’re right where we’re supposed to be." - @newmexicoutd.bsky.social HC Dennis Sanchez Sanchez is back in the #USL-C Western Final, but after his run with Las Vegas, this feels different. www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

Really great piece about the successes of New Mexico United's coaches and the system and philosophy that they've thrived under. This is a paid article, but I highly recommend a sub to Backheeled to support John's work!

Talen Maples (#12) and @newmexicoutd.bsky.social keeper-for-a-day Danny Vitiello (#21) earn USL Championship All-Second Team honors. Congrats, guys!

New Mexico United’s incredible resurgence coincides neatly with the return to full-fitness by Dayonn Harris (#5). 📈 open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/s... 📸: Matt May | Tampa Bay Rowdies

Get on the bus, Gus. Make a plan, Stan. Join us in Tulsa, Luisa. www.newmexicoutd.com/2025/11/10/n... #SomosUnidos

Playoffs

🧵 1/2 My next player interview will be my 50th(!!), which is a wild number to reflect on. When I started writing this book, I just wanted to tell the stories of these players. While the interview process has greatly increased the scale and difficulty of the work 😅…

Today was Jaylin Lindsey (#24) Day at UBTN HQ. I’m really grateful that I got to chat with him about #24 (a nod to Kobe), and talk about his journey through the rungs of the U.S. Youth National Team, and playing at home for Charlotte FC in MLS before arriving here in New Mexico. Thanks, Jaylin!

Had a few new subscribers today and now realize it could only be attributed to the @usltactics.com bump. Thanks for the shout out and thanks again for the help with the Kalen Ryden (#22) defensive numbers! And if you haven't read John's new piece yet, it's great, as always.

Daniel Bruce (#25) is retiring and I’m just trying to hold it together over here. 😭 open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/b...

Some big personal news! I managed to get through the entire Daniel Bruce (#25) press conference without bawling my eyes out! New Substack post dropping later today.

Interview completed today with Luther Archimède (#29). ✅ I’m closing in on 50 player interviews now, which I never would’ve imagined when I started this project. Thanks to everyone who has participated and helped to facilitate these interviews. I’m eternally grateful.

Got a message today from Seattle Sounder & former New Mexico United loanee, Andrew Thomas (#26). Interestingly, he prefers #13 like Kris Shakes. But when he originally signed for Seattle, #13 wasn’t available so he just doubled it to #26, which he also wore here. Love these stories. 📸: Sounders FC

A few minor, but important updates. open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/a...

I just finished interviewing one of my favorite athletes (and people) that ever played for @newmexicoutd.bsky.social — Austin Yearwood (#3). I can’t wait to transcribe this interview and share it in the book soon. Thanks, Austin! (📸: Albuquerque Journal)

Just had the absolutely pleasure of interviewing Devon Sandoval (#9) for the book. 👑

One of the best in the game. Sharing so we can all follow Jeff to where he lands next.

Have you had time to process it yet? Me, neither. Here’s my Kalen Ryden (#22) retirement post. (Big thanks to @usltactics.com for supplying some hard-to-find defensive stats for me!) open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/r...

🧵 1/2 ICYMI, Kalen Ryden (#22) announced today that he will be retiring at the conclusion of the ‘25 season. I have to admit that all season I’ve been considering the possibility that he might retire, but I was still somehow not fully prepared for the reality of the news when it dropped.

NM United clinches playoff berth thanks to win in Phoenix

I’m very fortunate to have interviewed Valentin Noël (#21) for the book today. Lovely guy who chose his number to reflect a meaningful date. He also spoke about the importance of playing collegiately so he could continue to pursue his education. There really is a story behind every number.

Ken Akasquatsu (I’ll show myself out)

Interview completed with Carlos Moguel, Jr. (#14) for United by the Numbers ✅

A lot of friends in this vid, including the mighty, little group I’m part of @galactic-amb.bsky.social 🛸

THIS IS OUR HOUSE* *terms conditions are subject to change. exclusions may apply. Good stuff @galactic-amb.bsky.social 😂

Congrats to Danny Vitiello (#21), a famed member of the New Mexico United One-Day Keepers Club. open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/t...

NEWSLETTER: What’s standing out as we barrel into Week 29? 🟡 New Mexico’s evolution 🇬🇳 On Hadji Barry 🛡️ Westchester’s press 🦩 Henny Derby lessons 🩵 Fort Lauderdale in transition Check in! www.usltactics.com/p/the-back-f...

Fit check for the evening 💅

I had a friend in California text me saying they saw this goal on SportsCenter. #Vote4Zico

Sergio Rivas (#7 and #11) hit 10,000 career minutes last night. By all accounts, he was pretty close to not even being here this year. I’m really grateful that he and the club were able to come together on a contract so he could hit this milestone in black and yellow.

Meow Wolf vibes going extremely hard 🧬🪅

Couldn’t be more 😁 to be in the Duke City Tonight- Meow Wolf Kit presentation party at the @newmexicoutd.bsky.social store 🥻 Tomorrow- MK is live “Game Day” style ahead of #NMvsTUL 🎥 www.youtube.com/live/Ew7s-i9...

I’d say a man who inspires punny trivia team names deserves his own holiday 🥤

Fun with numbers!

I watched this game on TUDN tonight which is the reminder that they have the Spanish language rights to that league now for select games and it rules watching this way here's the ame Greg Hurst goal for New Mexico United in Spanish

ICYMI - @davisjason.bsky.social and Rob Kerr are going to @newmexicoutd.bsky.social's @meowwolf.com Night on Saturday for a live edition of @mkickaround.bsky.social. Get out there and check it out, and show them a good time. #USL-C #SomosUnidos www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMk7...

🧵 1/2 Roster update from yesterday: The club and Bodie Ford (#18) have parted ways. Bodie signed an Academy contract in May and was the fifth player to wear #18. (Thanks, @albolte.bsky.social for the hellsite screen grab)

I’m writing about writing now. 😐 open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/u...

Carlos Moguel Jr. becomes the third #14 in club history behind Chris Wehan (2019-2021, 2023) Ilia Ilić (2021-2022). 📸: @newmexicoutd.bsky.social

@newmexicoutd.bsky.social have acquired Carlos Moguel Jr. on loan from Lou City for the rest of the ‘25 season. Carlos wore #8 in Louisville (already claimed by Vargas here) so we’ll see what number he ends up with. Welcome, Carlos! www.newmexicoutd.com/news/2025/08...

Kipp Keller becomes the third #4 in @newmexicoutd.bsky.social history behind Sam Hamilton (2019-2023) and Tony Herbert (2024-2025).

🧵1/2 Kipp Keller becomes the 100th first team player in New Mexico United history! We don't have his uniform number yet, but I'd be way cool if I had to re-design my whole website because he picked uni #100. www.newmexicoutd.com/news/2025/08...

Luther Archimède is the first #29 in @newmexicoutd.bsky.social history. And we’re kind of psyched that he opted for the “È” on the name-on-back of his kit. Archimède is the 99th(!!) player in first team history. Welcome, Luther! #NewMexicoUnited #SomosUnidos #USL #UBTN

From Gedion Zelalem’s IG today, for context. My brain struggled with the mismatched numbers 🫠

He won’t be in #33 actually! We’ve got his number assignment but have been sworn to secrecy for the time being. There were a few mismatched numbers on the shorts from that set of training pics. Vargas had Zelalem’s #6 on his shorts. Zelalem shared a pic where he had #27 on his and Seymore had #12.