New Mexico United
New Mexico United were built to represent a whole state rather than one city, and the name says as much. They led the USL Championship for crowds in their first season, knocked out two MLS sides in the Open Cup, and in 2026 are fighting for top spot in the West.
From Expansion Club to a Million Fans
The club was announced in June 2018 as a USL Championship expansion side, with owner Peter Trevisani behind it. Albuquerque native Devon Sandoval was the first signing, and Troy Lesesne arrived that August as first head coach. The name, colours and crest were unveiled on 9 November 2018.
The first game came on 9 March 2019 against Fresno FC in front of 12,896, and Sandoval scored the club’s first goal. United made the play-offs that year and led the league for average attendance. Lesesne, named USL Coach of the Year in 2020, stepped down in November 2021 after three and a half years. Eric Quill took over in June 2023 before leaving for FC Dallas in November 2024, and Dennis Sanchez was appointed on 24 December 2024. In 2025 he took United to their first Western Conference Final, beating San Antonio 2–0 and Orange County 2–1 before losing 3–0 to FC Tulsa. More than a million fans have now been through the gates.
The 2019 Open Cup Run
In their very first season United took down two MLS clubs. On 12 June 2019 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park they drew 2–2 with the Colorado Rapids, Sandoval scoring after three minutes and Kevaughn Frater equalising in the fifth minute of stoppage time, then won the shootout 4–2. A week later they beat FC Dallas 2–1, Frater and Sam Hamilton scoring. The run ended with a 6–1 quarter-final defeat at Minnesota United, but fans chartered a plane for it.
Sharing with the Isotopes, Searching for a Stadium
United have always played at Isotopes Park, a baseball ground shared with the Albuquerque Isotopes. A $50 million public bond for a downtown stadium was rejected in November 2021, with 65.43% voting against. The club then turned to Balloon Fiesta Park, pledging $30 million of private money for a stadium of 8,000 to 10,000 seats, but neighbourhood groups took the plan to court. The Court of Appeals backed the city on 14 July 2026, but by then the club was looking elsewhere. In March 2026 the State Fairgrounds District Board voted 6–1 for a redevelopment that includes a stadium, and Trevisani has said United are ready to bring their $30 million to it. No final deal has been announced.
A Shoot-Out for First in the West
Sanchez signed a two-year extension through 2028 on 23 September 2026. A 2–1 win over Phoenix Rising on 4 October sealed a play-off place for the seventh time in eight seasons, and a 3–1 win over Monterey Bay on 10 October, Charlie Dennis scoring twice, guaranteed a home tie. After a 1–0 loss at San Antonio on 17 October, United sit second in the Western Conference on 49 points, one behind El Paso Locomotive. They finish at El Paso on 24 October, winner takes top seed. Their first play-off game is set for 1 November.
Greg Hurst
Black, Yellow and the Zia
United have worn black at home since 2019, with yellow and black away. The crest carries four stripes for the Zia sun symbol, an “18” for the founding year and a break in the shield meant as an open welcome. Meow Wolf has been on the front since the first kit and is the club’s lifetime home shirt partner. The 2026 home shirt adds brush-stroke stripes to the black base. The club’s own line is “Somos Unidos. We are United”, and its charity arm runs under the Somos Unidos name. In the stands, supporters’ group The Curse brings turquoise to the black and yellow.
This FanFile covers New Mexico United as a club rather than one particular jersey. Check the crest, sponsor, manufacturer label and product code on your own shirt to identify its specific season and edition.
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Club Links
Sources & Further Reading
- New Mexico United: club history and milestones
- MLSsoccer.com: the 2019 Open Cup win over Colorado Rapids
- Urban Pitch: the crest, The Curse and the club’s first season
- nm.news: the Balloon Fiesta Park court ruling, July 2026
- Albuquerque Journal: Greg Hurst and the club scoring record
- Albuquerque Journal: the race for first in the West, October 2026
Facts checked: 21 October 2026.