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New Mexico United

Alex Tambakis

New Mexico United Announces Departure of Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis

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New Mexico United announced today that goalkeeper Alex Tambakis will be departing the club, closing a historic chapter in Black & Yellow after five seasons.

Tambakis joined New Mexico United in March 2021 and quickly established himself as one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in both club and league history. Over his time with United, he made 145 appearances, providing stability and leadership along the back line, and was named New Mexico United’s Defensive Player of the Year following the 2022 season.

Across his professional career, Tambakis has appeared in 267 matches, logging 23,880 minutes, recording 63 clean sheets, and making 655 saves, the most in USL Championship Regular Season history. He also ranks tied for first all-time in regular season shutouts (58) and 10th all-time in minutes played (21,194), sitting just 43 minutes shy of ninth place. Over his career, he has conceded 367 goals, often while facing some of the league’s highest shot volumes.

Tambakis’ impact went far beyond the stat sheet. His leadership and consistency helped define New Mexico United’s identity during one of the most successful stretches in club history. He departs as one of the most decorated goalkeepers the USL Championship has seen.

New Mexico United thanks Alex Tambakis for his contributions and wishes him continued success in the next chapter of his career.

New Mexico United Falls to Hartford Athletic

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New Mexico United fell to Hartford Athletic 4-0 on the road Wednesday night. Things unraveled quickly, as Hartford’s Mamadou Dieng scored twice inside the opening 25 minutes. Hartford’s Michee Ngalina added a third goal just two minutes later, putting United in a deep hole before halftime.

In the second half, United tried to build momentum but struggled to break down Hartford’s backline. Substitute forward Kyle Edwards capped off the night with a fourth goal in the 82nd minute.

Notably, Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis became the first keeper to record 650 saves in USL Championship history.

Up next, the Black & Yellow travel to Oklahoma to take on FC Tulsa on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 6:30pm MT. United returns home on Saturday, Aug. 16, for Zozobra Night against Las Vegas Lights. Get tickets HERE.

Match Preview: New Mexico United vs. Hartford Athletic

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New Mexico United faces off against Hartford Athletic in a cross-conference clash this Wednesday. The Black & Yellow are coming off a penalty shootout win against San Antonio FC Saturday in the final round of USL Jägermeister Cup group play.

United currently sits third in the USL Championship Western Conference table, and looks to pick their first league win since June 21. The last time New Mexico and Hartford met was in 2024, a match that ended in a 1-0 win for United in front of nearly 11,000 fans. With United’s aim to regain first place in the West and Hartford’s urgency to finish in playoff contention, the contest this Wednesday promises to be another intense affair for NMU.

Players to watch:

Newcomer Valentin Noël is a player to watch in this mid-week clash. The midfielder scored a crucial goal coming off the bench in his debut for the Black & Yellow last weekend against San Antonio FC in Jägermeister Cup action. Another player to keep an eye on is winger Dayonn Harris. The 27-year-old marked his return from an ACL injury that kept him on the sidelines for almost a year with a goal that took United to penalties. Thanks to his heroic contribution, United went on to win the game in the shootout.

Tambakis Milestone Watch:

Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis is one save away from becoming the first keeper to reach 650 saves in USL Championship history. The Greek Goat is also two clean sheets away from setting the record for most shutouts in USL Championship regular season history. If he notches one Wednesday, he will tie current clean sheet leader Evan Newton.

About Hartford Athletic: 

Hartford Athletic looks to find a rhythm after a string of inconsistent results. Despite sitting at the bottom of the table, they have shown flashes of danger in attack. The one-two punch striker pairing of Kyle Edwards and Mamadou Dieng has contributed nine goals this season. HFD’s defense has been aggressive, averaging a league high 9.1 interceptions per match.

Up Next For United:

After this midweek matchup, United travels to Oklahoma facing off against FC Tulsa. United’s next home match is on Saturday, Aug 16, against the Las Vegas Lights FC, which will mark New Mexico United’s 100th match at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.

Get tickets HERE

New Mexico United Falls to Phoenix Rising, 1-2

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New Mexico United fell by a 1-2 score to rival Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night, in front of a crowd of 10,844 fans. The match was fairly even throughout the first half, with United maintaining a 69-31 advantage in possession in the opening 45 minutes. Only a flukey dribbler through United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis gave Phoenix the lead heading into the intermission.

But just twelve minutes into the second half, New Mexico were reduced to ten men, as Tambakis came off his line to clear a long ball down the left side. The center referee ruled Tambakis to have taken down the attacker, and sent the Greek goalkeeper off. Just five minutes later, substitute Darius Johnson doubled the lead for Phoenix, as he slipped through the defense and fired past goalkeeper Kris Shakes for a 2-0 lead that Phoenix would not relinquish.

Despite being down a man and two goals, New Mexico didn’t give in. A terrific strike from McKinze Gaines from outside the left side of the box halved the lead in the 85th minute. Just three minutes later, Fernando was taken down in the box, but legally, despite lamentations from United fans and players. In the ensuing fracas, United’s Marlon Vargas – who had already been subbed off – was shown red, as well.

New Mexico United are on the road next week against Orange County SC. That match kicks off at 8pm MT on Saturday (5/17) night.

New Mexico United Beats Union Omaha, 2-0, in Jägermeister Cup Debut

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New Mexico United earned yet another clean sheet on Saturday night, shutting out reigning USL League One winners Union Omaha by a 2-0 score in front of 9,495 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Talen Maples scored from the penalty spot, and Marlon Vargas put the icing on the cake in second half stoppage time to see United take all three points in their first ever Jägermeister Cup match.

Things were fairly buttoned up defensively in the early going in this one. Half an hour in, the two clubs had totaled a combined 0.03 xG, with just one shot on goal between them. The only chance of the first half hour came off the foot of former United midfielder Isidro Martinez, who caught United’s  Alex Tambakis off his line and fired from midfield. The long-range shot hit off the crossbar, allowing Tambakis to clear the danger.

But the breakthrough came in the 42nd minute, as United’ Marlon Vargas was brought down in the Omaha box, earning a penalty for the Black & Yellow. McKinze Gaines initially collected the ball, before handing off to captain Talen Maples, who slotted home from the spot for a 1-0 lead.

The goal opened the game up in the extreme. In the second half, United continued to push the pace, and Omaha had no choice but to open up and attempt to score a goal of their own. That open play favored the home side, as United totaled a season-high 3.77 xG, 18 shots, and 12 shots on goal. Several United players had big chances turned aside by Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu, who was terrific on the evening. But in the 94th minute, Vargas took a terrific through ball from Mukwelle Akale and passed into the back of the net for the final 2-0 scoreline.

New Mexico United Wins Fifth Straight, Earns Share of First Place

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New Mexico United earned their fifth straight victory on Wednesday night, finishing the evening even with San Antonio on points at the top of the USL Championship Western Conference. Ousman Jabang scored the winner for New Mexico – his first career goal – as the Black & Yellow cruised to their fourth straight clean sheet, each by a 1-0 scoreline.

For just the second time in league play this season, United scored in the first half, taking a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute. Marlon Vargas played a short corner to Mukwelle Akale, who crossed toward the back post, aiming for Jaylin Lindsey. The ball was intercepted, but not cleared, by a Monterey defender, squirting out to Jabang, just outside the six-yard box, who one-timed a right-footed shot past Monterey Bay goalkeeper Nico Campuzano for the only score of the match.

Alex Tambakis earned his fourth consecutive shutout in the victory, leaving him just two away from the all-time USL Championship record for clean sheets. Tambakis didn’t need to make a save in this one, as Monterey Bay did not manage a shot on goal, but he was off his line several times to claim crosses and long balls, and keep United in front.

New Mexico United returns to action this Saturday night at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. They’ll venture into Jagermeister Cup play for the first time, taking on reigning two-time USL League One winners Union Omaha.

New Mexico United Bests North Carolina FC in Dramatic Fashion, Amang Scores Winner in Debut

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New Mexico United bested North Carolina FC in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, winning 1-0 on a 93rd minute goal from debutant Thomas Amang in front of 10,291 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. The win was the fourth straight for the Black & Yellow, moving them to joint-top of the USL Championship Western Conference with 12 points, even with San Antonio FC, who have played one match more than United.

United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis earned his third consecutive clean sheet in the victory. He now sits just three shutouts away from the all-time USL Championship record. Kalen Ryden had a standout performance, as well, with five clearances, 10 final third entries, and 91% passing accuracy. United dominated possession, holding a 77% – 23% advantage.

New Mexico United are back at home – this time at the UNM Soccer & Track & Field Complex – as they take on hated rival El Paso Locomotive FC. United have played El Paso more than any other opponent, but this will be the first time they have met in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a tournament that United has reached the quarterfinal twice in, in four appearances.

WE’RE KEEPIN’ ‘EM! GOALKEEPERS ALEX TAMBAKIS AND KRIS SHAKES RETURN TO NEW MEXICO UNITED FOR 2025

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New Mexico United is thrilled to announce that goalkeepers Alex Tambakis and Kristopher Shakes will return for the 2025 season, setting the goalkeeper position for the season with two key returners. Tambakis returns for his fifth season with the Black & Yellow as the club’s all-time all-time leader in saves, clean sheets, and wins. 2025 will be Shakes’ second season with New Mexico, after putting together incredible performances in key moments in 2024.

Alex Tambakis has been the very definition of consistency and strength for United, since his arrival from North Carolina FC in 2021. He has made 121 appearances in all competitions for the Black & Yellow, and is the USL Championship’s all-time leader in saves with 614, and is second in league history with 52 clean sheets in his career.

Kris Shakes came to New Mexico United as a trialist at the beginning of the 2024 season, after graduating from Penn State University. He made three appearances in 2024 for United in all competitions. Most notably, Shakes kept a crucial four-save clean sheet against Loudoun United in a massive match in September of this year. That victory helped propel United to the top seed in the USL Championship Western Conference.

NEW MEXICO UNITED WINS FIRST-EVER HOME PLAYOFF MATCH, TOPS PHOENIX RISING, 2-1

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In potentially the most important match in club history, New Mexico United topped Phoenix Rising by a score of 2-1, earning the victory in the first home playoff match in club history. Goals from Will Seymore and Mukwelle Akale earned the victory for the Black & Yellow, who moved on to host Las Vegas Lights FC in the Western Conference Semifinal on Saturday night. Kickoff in that match is scheduled for 7:30 PM.

It was Rising FC who scored first in this one. After a scoreless opening half, Phoenix’s Jearl Margaritha cut inside toward the top of the New Mexico box, and fired on his right foot. United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis deftly dove to parry the strike, but the rebound found the foot of Fede Varela, who first-time blocked the ball past Tambakis – who was still down after the initial save – for a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute.

Nine minutes later, United were level. Akale received a diagonal ball in the Rising box and chipped across. That high ball was headed away, but only as far as Marco Micaletto, who’s scissor kick was blocked and recovered by Nannan Houssou at the top of the box. After the ball bounced around the box for another ten seconds or so, it found an open Seymore, who cut to his right and fired. His thunderbolt hit all three bars on the net, trickling over the line for an equalizer.

The score remained level until the 85th minute. Avionne Flanagan carried the ball along the left side of the pitch, barrelling past Phoenix’s Laurence Wyke before sending a terrific ball toward the back post. Akale was there to pounce on the low ball, and a tap home was all that was needed to send New Mexico through to the Western Conference Semifinal.

Tickets for that match are on-sale now at: https://seatgeek.com/new-mexico-united-tickets/united-soccer-league/2024-11-09-7-30-pm/17181125

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