The Former UNM Lobo Scores his First Professional Goal
Albuquerque, NM – When Maliek Howell was in college at the University of New Mexico he dreamt about playing for New Mexico United at RGCU Field at Isotopes Park. “I remember sitting in the stands and watching guys like Kevaughn Frater and wanting to be out there,” Howell said at the start of the year. Well Maliek, take a bow you have finally done it. In a match that was massive for both sides Howell made his collegiate dreams come true and scored the match winning goal for the Black and Yellow in the 51st minute of play.
As most New Mexico United and Colorado Springs Switchbacks matches go this one was a battle till the bitter end. “Today was a tough match,” Co-Pepsi Man of the Match Chris Gloster said postmatch, “but we did everything we could to get three points.” Gloster continues to be a massive part of a New Mexico back line that has only allowed seven goals in USL Championship League play since May 6th. The New Mexico backline has been about as hot as a Chile roaster during September and October. A group that some have started to call “The Burque Backline” for their tough, Albuquerque-grit style of play has made sure that the praise goes around. “ I’m not too focused on myself,” Goalkeeper Kris Shakes said after logging six saves in another clean sheet effort. “Obviously it’s the whole team, right? Without them it’s impossible for me to get a clean sheet by myself.” This is Shakes seventh clean sheet of the season in 2026. That is two more compared to all of last season.
New Mexico looks to keep the good times rolling as they head back to California to take on Monterey Bay FC next Saturday at 8:00 PM MDT. United will return home for a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Final against FC Tulsa on August 15th for Indigenous Peoples Night. Tickets are available at Seatgeek.com.
