New Mexico United and New Mexico 811 are thrilled to announce the fifth round of additions to the U-23 roster in the team’s history. Forward Lamar Bynum, midfielder Taylor Rogers, and defender Nick Williams – all Albuquerque-natives – join the inaugural roster to bring the number of announced players to fifteen ahead of the inaugural season, with more announcements yet to come.
“Lamar, Taylor and Nick will be crucial pieces in our inaugural U-23 season, and very different journeys have brought each of them to us” said United U-23 Head Coach Luke Sanford. “While they all call Albuquerque home, Lamar is a United Academy graduate, Taylor is a current Academy player, and Nick is joining the United family for the first time. Together, I’m excited to see what they’ll create.”
Lamar Bynum was the second signing in New Mexico United Academy history, in January of 2021. In the Academy’s inaugural season, Bynum was one of the club’s leading scorers, while also leading Rio Rancho High School to the state championship. Upon graduating from RRHS, Bynum left for Colorado State University Pueblo. In his freshman year, he scored four goals and assisted another, playing nearly 1,900 minutes, and earning RMAC Player of the Week honors.
Taylor Rogers was the twenty-first signing in New Mexico United Academy history, in April of 2021. Taylor has been one of United’s most-dominant midfielders in his more than a season with the club, and was the sixth Academy Contract signing in club history. Rogers was a key player for Volcano Vista High School, and is committed to playing college soccer at Dixie State, alongside his brother, Larsen.
Nick Williams is a redshirt junior at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. In high school, he led Albuquerque Academy to the state championship game in all four seasons, winning the title twice. In his freshman season, he attended the University of New Mexico, before transferring to UNLV. Since becoming a Rebel, he’s played in 32 matches.
United U-23 will compete in the USL League Two Mountain Division in the 2022 season.
