The first week of January has brought an addition, as well as a subtraction we've all been dreading. We'll start with the new player first, as United welcomed their first Brazilian in franchise history - Luis Fernando. Fernando's previous employer (Memphis 901 - RIP) no longer exists, so he was looking for a new place to play and we needed some offense; a perfect marriage! Though he wore the objectively fun #71 previously with Richmond Kickers, we guess he'll move quickly to stake claim on the vacant #9 here, the same number he wore in Memphis. Welcome, Fernando!

In:

#TBD Fernando

While we welcome Fernando, we have to also bid farewell (at least, for now) to Cristian Nava, who announced he will not be playing in 2025 due to the successive season-ending ACL injuries he sustained, which wiped out essentially all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons for the young player. We wish Cristian a smooth recovery and a bright future, whether that includes the game of soccer or not.

Out:

#45 Cristian Nava

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roster updates - December 27, 2024

Add Dayonn Harris to the list of returning players for the 2025 season. Harris brought a ton of speed, skill and experience to the '24 squad, and he proved to be very difficult to replace when he went down with an ACL tear in August. He seemingly won't be able to play again until the late summer, but his addition to the lineup in midseason would be a boost to any team's chances. Welcome back, Dayonn!

#18 Dayonn Harris

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roster updates - December 17, 2024

Roster updates have trickling out this offseason, typically in pairs, in a slow, dramatic reveal. There has only been one bunch of players announced who will not return and those are covered here in this recent Substack post. Below is a complete list as of this morning.

BTW - I've been slightly active on Bluesky, recapping the player comings and goings. Feel free to follow us there.

Players returning for 2025:

#1 Alex Tambakis

#4 Tony Herbert

#10 Marco Micaletto

#11 Mukwelle Akale

#12 Talen Maples

#13 Kris Shakes

#16 Will Seymore

#17 Greg Hurst

#19 Zico Bailey

#25 Daniel Bruuuuuuuuuuuce

#26 Abdi Mohamed

#47 Jackson DuBois

Players not returning for 2025:

#7 Sergio Rivas

#8 Nicky Hernandez

#9 Abu Danladi

#18 Marlon Vargas

#20 Jacobo Reyes

#27 Avionne Flanagan

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roster updates - September 22, 2024

Fans checking the lineup ahead of the Sunday, September 22 fixture against Loudoun United were surprised to see first-choice keeper Alex Tambakis (#1) left off the team sheet and Kris Shakes (#13) getting the start. The implication of the re-shuffled pecking order was clear - Tambakis was banged up and Shakes was stepping into the starting lineup, which necessitated the signing of a short-term third keeper. Enter Jermaine Fordah.

The former El Paso Locomotive keeper was signed to a 25-day contract and issued #2, becoming the third #2 in team history. Welcome, Jermaine!

This will push the all-time United player count to 87.

#2 Jermaine Fordah (previous assignment Milo Garvanian, 2023)

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roster updates - September 11, 2024

Just prior to the USL roster freeze, New Mexico United signed versatile winger Marlon Vargas on loan through the end of the 2024 season and issued him #18. When he makes his first appearance on a team sheet, he will be the fourth #18 in team history, following Philipp Beigl, Carl Sainté and Kyle Colonna. 

This will push the all-time United player count to 86.

#18 Marlon Vargas

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roster updates - September 6, 2024

On September 5th, New Mexico United announced the signing of Derek Lozano to an Academy contract, which allows him to play for the first team while retaining his amateur eligibility. Lozano has played two years for the United Academy and appeared in the international friendly against FC Juárez (also in #54). On September 6th, he was named to the team sheet in his first ever USL Championship match, a 1-nil victory over Miami FC. Congrats, Derek!

The all-time United player count now stands at 85.

#54 Derek Lozano

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roster updates - June 23, 2024

A small but important update to acknowledge that Jackson DuBois (#47), who was playing with the first team on an Academy contract, has signed a formal professional contract with New Mexico United. We'll be watching closely to see if he marks this special occasion with a switch to a lower available number. Regardless, congrats to Jackson on signing a professional football contract!

The all-time United player count remains at 84.

#47 Jackson DuBois

~~~

A small but important update to acknowledge that Jackson DuBois (#47), who was playing with the first team on an Academy contract, has signed a formal professional contract with New Mexico United. We'll be watching closely to see if he marks this special occasion with a switch to a lower available number. Regardless, congrats to Jackson on signing a professional football contract!

The all-time United player count remains at 84.

#47 Jackson DuBois

~~~

roster updates - May 5, 2024

New Mexico United announced the signing of defender Abdi Mohamed to a 25-day contract and issued him the #26 for his first match, a start and full 90 minutes against Las Vegas Lights FC.

In addition to Mohamed going up on the all-time numerical roster, we can now add the Academy trio of Jace Sais (#42), Jackson Dubois (#47) and Yuto Oketani (#58), each of whom has been named to a matchday 18, with Dubois now making two appearances, one in the Open Cup and the other in league play.

The all-time United player count now stands at 84.

#26 Abdi Mohamed (previous assignment Andrew Thomas, 2023)

#42 Jace Sais

#47 Jackson DuBois

#58 Yuto Oketani 

~~~

roster updates - March 6, 2024

New Mexico United announced the signing of three Academy players to first-team Academy contracts. These contracts will allow the players the opportunity to play in actual first team USL Championship games, but retain their amateur status so they can still attend college. If and when they are named to a matchday 18, they would be the 81st, 82nd and 83rd players in franchise history. Congrats to these young men.

#42 Jace Sais

#47 Jackson DuBois

#58 Yuto Oketani 

~~~

roster updates - February 27, 2024

The club today formally announced the signing of goalkeeper Kris Shakes, the first #13 in franchise history and a departure from the oft-used formula that backup keepers get the #12 (that number was just assigned to center back Talen Maples). Kris Shakes becomes the 80th first team United player in team history.

#13 Kris Shakes 

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roster updates - February 26, 2024

The Black & Yellow bash provided the opportunity to see the '24 squad in person (in kit with names and numbers!) but this interested party was out of town and could not document it. Judging by photos, we should expect a couple additional signings to be formalized (likely camp trialists and/or Academy contracts), but the official roster has been updated to include the following two new number assignments while pushing the all-time roster count to 79.

#12 Talen Maples (previous assignment Ford Parker, 2022-2023)

#91 Nanan Houssou

Talen becomes the first non-goal keeper to be issued the #12 kit and we are elated to see Houssou become the first #91 in team history.

~~~

roster updates - February 21, 2024

New Mexico United formally announced the signing of trialist Tony Herbert, who in one of the photos in the social media posts looks to be wearing the #4, which was last worn by Sam Hamilton and speculated to be worn by fellow, new center back signing Talen Maples. The mysteries should be resolved no later than Saturday, February 24th at the Black & Yellow Bash, when the players will likely be revealed in the new kit with their uni numbers.

United seems to be set at center back with holdovers Kalen Ryden (#22) and Will Seymore (#16) joined by newcomers Herbert (#4) and Maples (#TBD).

Tony is the 78th player signed to the first team for New Mexico United. Welcome, Tony!

#4 Tony Herbert (previous assignment: Sam Hamilton, 2019-2023)

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roster updates - February 19, 2024

A new player has not been added, but one has been subtracted as the club announced Chris Wehan (#14/41) has re-injured his knee and that his time with New Mexico United was now over. While the word "retirement" wasn't used in the social media posts or club statements, it seems a distinct possibility at this point anyway, depending on the severity of this most recent injury.

Whether he rehabs and moves onto to another club down the road or simply retires, we all owe a debt of appreciation for the club's all-time leading scorer, Chris Wehan.

~~~

roster updates - February 14, 2024

New Mexico United announced the signing of center back Talen Maples today. He's been with the team in preseason and has yet to be assigned a number. Crusing Google Images, it looks likes Talen following Sam Hamilton in the #4 might be a safe bet. 

Talen, in whatever number he wears, would bring the all-time New Mexico United player count to 77.

Stay tuned for the number.  In the meantime, welcome Talen!

#TBD Talen Maples 

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roster updates - january 21, 2024