New Mexico United forward Daniel Bruce (More commonly known
as ‘Brucey!’) recently suffered a season ending ACL & Meniscus injury during a training session.
Brucey, the only remaining member of the squad from the inaugural 2019 season, is a New Mexico
United staple around the state as a fan favorite and community champion.
“The love and encouragement from family, friends and the club has been amazing.” Remarked Brucey.
“I truly appreciate all the support in this challenging moment. Thank you New Mexico, Somos Unidos!”
Bruce’s pre and post-surgery preparations and recovery will be led by Adrian Gonzales with Elevate
Performance, Health & Wellness, and his surgery will be led by Team Doctor Douglas Allen, MD with
New Mexico Orthopaedics.
Everyone at the club wishes Brucey a speedy and full recovery.
Daniel Bruce
LEARN FROM A LEGEND! NEW MEXICO UNITED TO HOST DANIEL BRUCE WINTER KIDS’ CAMP
New Mexico United is excited to welcome kids from across the Land of Enchantment to join United forward Daniel Bruce at the DB25 Winter Camp, happening at Kraemer Fields Dec 21-22. The camp – featuring United’s all-time leader in appearances and assists – is open for kids, ages 6-12, and will feature a focus on developing skills, teamwork, and learning the game of soccer.
Early birds can earn a discount (while supplies last), now through December 7th, taking advantage of a discount of more than 25%! Full-price registration begins December 8th, and lasts through December 19th, or until this camp sells out!
In addition to a terrific camp experience with a New Mexico United legend, every camper will receive:
- An exclusive DB25 Hoodie
- A soccer ball
- Tickets to the 2025 New Mexico United Home Opener
- Additional Prizes
We expect this camp to sell out, so make sure to get your kids signed up today!
Register HERE!
NEW MEXICO UNITED KICKS OFF PLAYER RETURNS WITH 2-YEARS FOR DANIEL BRUCE
New Mexico United is thrilled to announce that forward Daniel Bruce will be back in Black & Yellow for the 2025 season and beyond. Bruce – the club’s all-time leader in appearances – signed a two-year contract extension during the 2024 season that keeps him in New Mexico through at least the end of the 2026 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome back one of the most impactful player in New Mexico United history,” said United Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “Daniel has worn the shirt more than any other player, and his impact has been felt across the state since his arrival ahead of our inaugural season. Brucey will continue to make an impact in the Land of Enchantment.”
The club’s only remaining player from their inaugural 2019 season, Bruce joined the club before they ever kicked a ball – signing as a trialist after a successful collegiate career at UNC – Charlotte . In the six years since, the Warrington, England-native has made 155 appearances in all competitions, playing nearly 7,500 minutes, scoring 17 times, and assisting 20 times more (the most assists in club history.)
The announcement kicks off United’s offseason player transactions, with more player announcements to come in the coming days and weeks.
NEW MEXICO UNITED ANNOUNCES FIRST 2024 ROSTER UPDATE AS OFFSEASON BEGINS
New Mexico United are pleased to provide their first roster update ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. Nine players return to the Black & Yellow roster from the 2023 team, with more additions set to be announced in the coming days and weeks. This offseason will be the first for Head Coach Eric Quill and Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. Those returning players are:
- Arturo Astorga
- Zico Bailey
- Daniel Bruce
- Nicky Hernandez
- Santi Moar
- Cristian Nava
- Jacobo Reyes
- Will Seymore
- Harry Swartz
Conversations are underway with additional players on potential returns, and the Technical Staff is actively crafting the 2024 roster with new additions, all with the goal of bringing a title to New Mexico.
NEW MEXICO UNITED DOMINATES TOP TEAM IN WESTERN CONFERENCE, BEATS SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC 3-0
New Mexico United were dominant on Saturday night, besting Sacramento Republic FC – the top team in the Western Conference – by a convincing 3-0 margin in front of 10,813 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Goals from Harry Swartz in the first half and Amando Moreno and Nicky Hernandez in the second half paced the Black & Yellow, who extended their unbeaten streak to five matches.
The first half was dominated by United in possession and pace of play, but despite creating several chances, United approached halftime without a goal to show for it. Until Moreno cut along the byline and fired a pass that was just behind Swartz. The Needham, Massachusetts-native turned and fired off the right foot for the first goal of the match, just before the break.
11 minutes into the second half, it was Moreno’s turn to get a goal for himself. The El Salvador National took a pass from Sergio Rivas near the top of the box, took two touches on his left foot, and fired through Danny Vitiello’s legs for his team-best sixth goal of the season. Two minutes later, Moreno nearly scored again, but was stonewalled by Vitiello twice.
It took just one more minute for New Mexico to earn their third goal. Daniel Bruce fired from close range, but the shot was blocked up and out toward Hernandez, who first-time volleyed off the right foot to the near post and through Vitiello for a 3-0 score that United would not relinquish.
In the 8th minute of tonight’s match, Josh Suggs became just the fifth player in USL Championship history – and strangely, the third of the evening – to reach 20,000 career minutes played.
NEW MEXICO UNITED EARNS A POINT IN HEAD COACH ERIC QUILL’S DEBUT, DRAWS 2-2 WITH RGVFC TOROS
New Mexico United fought to a 2-2 draw on Saturday night, in front of more than 10,000 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. The match was the first with the Black & Yellow for Head Coach Eric Quill. Daniel Bruce and Justin Portillo scored for United – with both goals coming in the first half. While Wilmer Cabrera Jr and Juan Galindrez tallied for the visitors.
Cabrera was first on the score sheet, as he collected a rebound and fired just past the outstretched foot of Austin Yearwood and past Alex Tambakis for the game’s first goal in the 28th minute. But ten minutes later, United were level, as Austin Yearwood blasted a free kick from about 25 yards out into the upper left corner, leaving goalkeeper Carlos Merancio flat-footed.
Just five minutes after that, it was Bruce’s turn to score, as he took a brilliant pass from Sergio Rivas on his right foot and chipped Merancio for United’s first lead – a score they would bring into halftime. That first half saw United maintain 75.4% possession, their highest total in any half this season.
“I’m proud to hear that because that’s that’s a style that I like to play,” said Quill. “That’s part of what I believe is the football that wins championships. Now, I’ve got to look at the real numbers: of what’s the verticality in the possession look like instead of just, front half possession versus back half. But what I saw was guys moving more to support each other, guys playing one and two touch and that and then combining off of each other combination play that’s the stuff that’s going to… yield results because the combination play can really kill front half pressure.”
NEW MEXICO UNITED ADVANCES TO U.S. OPEN CUP ROUND OF 32, TOPS PHOENIX RISING
New Mexico United advanced to the Round of 32 in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, scoring a dramatic 2-1 win over rival Phoenix Rising FC en route to the next stage. Goals from Greg Hurst and Josh Dolling paced the Black & Yellow, who played their first ever Cup match at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.
Greg Hurst got the scoring started for United just before halftime, as Daniel Bruce drove through the midfield and laid a pass off. Hurst fired from the left side of the box – a hit that was saved by Patrick Rakovsky, but rebounded into Hurst’s path. The Scottsman tucked to the far post for the game’s first tally, and his first for the Black & Yellow. On the stroke of halftime, some extracurricular activity would see Phoenix reduced to ten men, as Phoenix’s Baboucarr Njie was sent off for kicking out at Bruce. Shortly thereafter, a flurry of yellow cards were produced by the referee, ending the half on a sharp edge.
The 1-0 lead would hold for United until the 77th minute. A direct free kick from Manuel Arteaga would hit the crossbar, and the rebound bounced across the goal mouth as United goalkeeper Ford Parker made a terrific diving stop to clear the line. But that rebound bounced right to Carlos Harvey who tucked home the equalizer.
But United weren’t done. Ten minutes later it was Dolling’s turn to play the hero. The Englishman collected a headed clearance at the top of the box and hit it with his right foot. That first attempt was blocked, but immediately back to the forward, who hit it with his left, beyond a diving Rakovsky and into the back of the net for a lead United would not relinquish.
United Academy Product Alex Waggoner made his full pro debut on the evening and terrorized the Phoenix defense, creating several chances with terrific hold up play and tenacity. United will learn who it will face in the Open Cup Round of 32 on Thursday. The Open Cup Draw will be broadcast live at noon MT on the Bleacher Report app.
NEW MEXICO UNITED TOPS UDA NMSU, 6-0, ADVANCES TO THIRD ROUND OF U.S. OPEN CUP
New Mexico United advanced to the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in dominant fashion on Tuesday night, topping in-state opponent UDA NMSU by a 6-0 final behind a hat trick from Josh Dolling. The match was the first in the Cup’s more-than-100-year history to feature two New Mexican teams, and was played at Rio Rancho High School.
The scoring started early for the Black & Yellow, as Jose Sosa – making his professional debut – tucked home in the third minute off an excellent low cross from Daniel Bruce. United continued to apply pressure, and Justin Portillo doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 40th minute after Greg Hurst was taken down in the box. That margin would remain through the end of the half.
Dolling began his crusade just three minutes into the second half, tapping home from close range for his first score of the evening. Just five minutes later, Dolling’s countryman, Bruce, hit one from long distance for the goal of the night. Then in the 60th minute, it was Dolling again – this one from the penalty spot, after Bruce was taken down. And then, in the 73rd minute, Dolling completed the hat trick with a touch around the goalkeeper for a 6-0 margin that would hold for the remainder of the evening.
Several players made their United debuts Tuesday night. Milo Garvanian, Kyle Colonna, Jose Sosa, Michael Wyparlo, Dolling, and Merritt all played their first official matches in the Black & Yellow.
NEW MEXICO UNITED BESTS CSU PUEBLO TO REMAIN UNBEATEN IN PRESEASON PLAY
New Mexico United continued their unbeaten start to preseason play with a 3-0 victory over CSU Pueblo on Saturday, at the First Financial Credit Union Training Center. Hundreds of fans made the trip to Mesa del Sol for the match, as United moved to 3-0-2 on the preseason with the victory.
Newcomer Josh Dolling got the scoring started for United in this one, as Amando Moreno forced a turnover near the top of the Wolfpack box in the 28th minute, and then laid off a flat pass that Dolling hammered home for a 1-0 lead.
The lead would remain at one for another 42 minutes of match time, until Timothie Zali headed home an excellent cross at the back post from trialist Jose Sosa in the 70th minute; doubling United’s advantage.
That two-goal lead would become a three-goal advantage at the death, as Daniel Bruce tucked in a Cristian Nava cross for United’s third and final goal, and his third score of the preseason.
Up next, United travels to Colorado Springs to take on Switchbacks FC on March 4th. After that, they return home for the Black & Yellow Match – an intrasquad friendly – on March 11th. Fans can get their tickets for that match at https://seatgeek.com/new-mexico-united-tickets/.
