New Mexico United is thrilled to announce the launch of New Mexico United U-23, a team that will begin play this year in USL League Two. The team will be coached by Luke Sanford, Head Coach of the New Mexico United Academy, will feature New Mexico 811 as front of jersey partner, and will play their home matches across New Mexico, bringing New Mexico United soccer to the entire state.
“The addition of the New Mexico United U-23’s is the next awesome step in our growth as a club and in creating opportunities right here at home,” said New Mexico United President/Owner Peter Trevisani. “New Mexico 811 is the perfect partner to wear across our chests as we play our home games in cities and towns across New Mexico with a team largely made up of New Mexican players. We can’t wait to get started!”
United U-23 home matches this season will be held in Farmington, Gallup, Taos, Roswell, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, with plans to extend to additional locations across New Mexico in the seasons to come. This U-23 team becomes the missing piece of the United soccer pyramid – serving as a place for college players to play in the summer months, and a place for those who have aged beyond United Academy and High Performance Program level, but aren’t quite ready for the First Team.
“We are so excited to be part of the United story, and thrilled to help build an avenue for our local, home-grown young players,” said Brendan Kearns, GIS Outreach Coordinator for New Mexico 811. “This team allows them to not only improve their soccer goals and lives but also creates a route for them to become a part of the United family. Our partnership with New Mexico United has been amazing, and we can’t wait to see where this team takes all of us together.”
“We are thrilled to start our U-23 team and to compete in USL League Two,” said Sanford. “This is another great opportunity to develop New Mexican talent and test ourselves against quality competition. We look forward to the role this team will play in our system here and to the chance to represent our club across the state.”
United U-23 is one of more than 25 teams announced as expansion clubs for the 2022 League Two season. With over 110 clubs now set to compete, United U-23 will join the most robust pre-professional soccer league in North America.
United U-23 will compete in the Mountain Division in the 2022 season. The Mountain Division schedule will be released soon on USL League Two’s website and social accounts.