New Mexico United 2021 football season
The 2021 New Mexico United season will be the third season for New Mexico United in the USL Championship , the second-tier professional soccer league in the United States . This article covers the period from November 1, 2020, the day after the cancellation of the 2020 USL playoff final , to the conclusion of the 2021 USL playoff final. The USL Championship 2021 season has yet to be scheduled.[ 1]
Season in review
Off-season and pre-season
The club concluded the 2020 season with a loss to El Paso Locomotive FC in the Western Conference semifinal .[ 2] They ended the regular season in 2nd place in Group C .[ 3]
Six players departed in November after the conclusion of play. Romeo Parkes returned to Sligo Rovers at the end of his loan.[ 4] Chris Wehan and Saalih Muhammed transferred to Orange County SC and Oakland Roots SC , respectively.[ 5] [ 6] Ryan Williams and David Estrada announced their retirements from professional football,[ 5] [ 6] and Joris Ahlinvi was released at the end of his contract.[ 7] December saw Ilija Ilić , Harry Swartz , and Sergio Rivas join from Indy Eleven , Hartford Athletic , and Reno 1868 FC , respectively.[ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
In January 2021, the club announced the signings of Isidro Martinez from Rio Grande Valley FC Toros and semiprofessional defender Alex Touche.[ 11] [ 12] February saw two players depart the club, Ben Beaury and Sammy Sergi ; and two new signings, Micheal Azira and Brian Brown .
In March, first-choice goalkeeper Cody Mizell announced he would be departing New Mexico United for a club in Major League Soccer , later revealed to be New York City FC .[ 13] Later that month, on March 11 the club announced the signing of Alex Tambakis from North Carolina FC , where he had been first-choice for the prior three seasons.[ 14]
Club roster
As of March 15, 2021 [ 15]
No.
Name
Nationality
Position(s)
Date of birth (age)
Season signed
Previous club
Apps. [ note 1]
Goals [ note 2]
Goalkeepers
1
Alex Tambakis
GK
(1992-12-08 ) December 8, 1992 (age 31)
2021
North Carolina FC
0
0
18
Philipp Beigl
GK
(1992-09-27 ) September 27, 1992 (age 31)
2020
TSV Landsberg
0
0
Defenders
3
Austin Yearwood
LB
(1994-08-12 ) August 12, 1994 (age 30)
2019
Richmond Kickers
37
0
4
Sam Hamilton
DM /CB
(1995-07-26 ) July 26, 1995 (age 29)
2019
Colorado Rapids
39
2
5
Josh Suggs
LB /CB
(1989-04-24 ) April 24, 1989 (age 35)
2019
Colorado Springs Switchbacks
44
1
15
Rashid Tetteh
CB
(1995-07-14 ) July 14, 1995 (age 29)
2019
High Point Panthers
43
0
16
Alex Touche
CB
1999 (age 24–25)
2021
Lionsbridge FC
0
0
17
Justin Schmidt
LB /CB
(1993-11-02 ) November 2, 1993 (age 30)
2019
Sacramento Republic
38
2
22
Kalen Ryden
CB /LB
(1991-01-29 ) January 29, 1991 (age 33)
2020
Real Monarchs
17
1
Midfielders
7
Isidro Martinez
DM /CM
(1997-03-15 ) March 15, 1997 (age 27)
2021
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
0
0
8
Juan Pablo Guzmán
DM /CM
(1988-08-31 ) August 31, 1988 (age 36)
2019
Oklahoma City Energy
49
0
11
Sergio Rivas
AM
(1997-10-03 ) October 3, 1997 (age 26)
2021
Reno 1868
0
0
20
Andrew Tinari
CM /AM
(1995-09-12 ) September 12, 1995 (age 29)
2020
Tampa Bay Rowdies
16
1
23
Micheal Azira
M /DM
(1987-08-22 ) August 22, 1987 (age 37)
2021
Chicago Fire FC
0
0
25
Daniel Bruce
RW /RM
(1996-05-13 ) May 13, 1996 (age 28)
2019
UNC Charlotte 49ers
37
2
33
Harry Swartz
RB /RM
(1996-03-19 ) March 19, 1996 (age 28)
2021
Hartford Athletic
0
0
Forwards
9
Devon Sandoval
CF
(1991-06-16 ) June 16, 1991 (age 33)
2019
Atlanta United 2
52
20
10
Amando Moreno
LW/RW /AM
(1995-09-10 ) September 10, 1995 (age 29)
2020
Chicago Fire
17
6
14
Ilija Ilić
CF
(1991-04-26 ) April 26, 1991 (age 33)
2021
Indy Eleven
0
0
99
Brian Brown
CF
(1992-12-24 ) December 24, 1992 (age 31)
2021
Partizani Tirana
0
0
^ All competitive matches; includes substitute appearances
^ Goals in all competitions
Transfers out
Transfers in
Competitions
Exhibition
On March 1, United announced 6 preseason friendlies; three of which will be held in Albuquerque, and 3 of which will be held away.[ 22]
USL Championship
On January 21, the USL Board of Governors announced the format for the 2021 season, which would divide the Eastern and Western Conferences into two smaller divisions. Teams will play 32 regular season matches, playing a quadruple round-robin schedule against teams in their division, and playing other opponents to reach 32 games played.[ 23] On March 2, the final division alignment was released, placing New Mexico United into the Mountain Division, alongside Austin Bold FC , Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC , El Paso Locomotive FC , Real Monarchs , RGV FC Toros , and San Antonio FC .[ 24] As the only division with 7 teams instead of 8, the Mountain Division will play 24 regular season matches against division opponents, and 8 against regional or cross-conference opponents.
Group table
Mountain Division
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Last updated: 15 April 2021.
Source: [ 25]
Results by matchday
Position in the Mountain Division
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Ground A A H A H A H H A A A H H A H A H H A A Result Position
Updated to match(es) played on April 15, 2021. Source:
[ 26] A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
Matches
Home team is listed first, left to right.
Win
Draw
Loss
Postponed
Kickoff times are in MDT (UTC-06 ) unless shown otherwise
U.S. Open Cup
After cancelling the 2020 U.S. Open Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States , on February 9 the United States Soccer Federation announced an abbreviated format for the 2021 edition, limiting the field of participants to 24 clubs. Originally, 8 spots were reserved for the USL Championship, with 24 of 31 teams eligible to compete.[ 27] However, on March 29, the tournament was further abbreviated to include 16 teams. The 4 2020 USL Conference finalists were confirmed to participate, so New Mexico United will not play the 2021 U.S. Open Cup.[ 28]
References
^ USLChampionship com Staff (October 31, 2020). "USL Championship Final Cancelled, Season Concludes with Tampa Bay, Phoenix as Conference Title-Winners" . USL Championship . Retrieved November 29, 2020 .
^ "El Paso Locomotive FC Down New Mexico United in Western Semifinal" . www.eplocomotivefc.com . Retrieved November 29, 2020 .
^ "Standings" . uslchampionship.com . Retrieved November 29, 2020 .
^ @newmexicoutd (November 20, 2020). "Thanks for the memories Romeo, best of luck in your next chapter. 🖤💛#somosunidos #somosfamilia #nmunited #wearenewmexico" (Tweet ). Retrieved November 29, 2020 – via Twitter .
^ a b c @newmexicoutd (November 17, 2020). "Mahalo for everything Ryan and congratulations on your retirement! Best of luck with seminary school and in all your future endeavors. Somos Unidos por siempre 🖤💛#somosunidos #somosfamilia #family #nmunited" (Tweet ). Retrieved November 29, 2020 – via Twitter .
^ a b c @newmexicoutd (November 26, 2020). "Thank you for everything David. You've made an immeasurable impact everywhere you've gone, and we can't wait to be part of your next chapter! #SomosUnidos Watch @DaveedEstrada's full retirement announcement here: https://youtu.be/qC3c6Z68Qn8" (Tweet ). Retrieved November 29, 2020 – via Twitter .
^ a b @newmexicoutd (November 28, 2020). "Merci @JAhlinvi for some truly special moments! We're wishing you all the best going forward. Somos Unidos por siempre! 🖤💛#somosfamilia #prosoccer #nmunited #uslchampionship" (Tweet ). Retrieved November 29, 2020 – via Twitter .
^ a b @NewMexicoUTD (December 14, 2020). "It is our pleasure to announce the newest member of the Black & Yellow family. 2 time USL Cup Champion, our new forward, and number 14, Ilija Ilic!" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ a b @NewMexicoUTD (December 18, 2020). "He was the 2019 Hartford Athetic MVP and we couldn't be more excited to welcome him to the United family. Black & Yellow Nation, meet @HarrySwartz1 !" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ a b @NewMexicoUTD (December 24, 2020). "HE'S COMING HOME! Welcome to the Black & Yellow Familia @Sergiioo_77, let's get to work!" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ a b "NEW MEXICO UNITED ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF ISIDRO MARTINEZ, THEIR FOURTH NEW SIGNING AHEAD OF THE 2021 SEASON" . New Mexico Utd . January 4, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021 .{{cite web }}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link )
^ a b "NEW MEXICO UNITED ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF ALBUQUERQUE NATIVE ALEX TOUCHE" . New Mexico Utd. January 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021 .{{cite web }}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link )
^ a b "United loses goalkeeper Mizell to MLS team in New York" . www.abqjournal.com . March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021 .{{cite web }}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link )
^ a b Staff, USLChampionship com (March 11, 2021). "New Mexico Inks Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis" . USL Championship . Retrieved March 11, 2021 .
^ "2021 Roster" . New Mexico Utd . 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021 .
^ USLChampionship com Staff (November 6, 2020). "Orange County Announces Signing of Chris Wehan" . USL Championship . Retrieved November 29, 2020 .
^ USLChampionship com Staff (November 24, 2020). "Saalih Muhammad Returns to His Roots in Oakland" . USL Championship . Retrieved November 29, 2020 .
^ Roots SC (February 1, 2021). "Roots Sign Goalkeeper Ben Beaury" .
^ Staff (February 11, 2021). "Loudoun United FC Announce Multiple Signings Ahead of the 2021 USL Championship Season" . Loudoun United FC . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .
^ "New Mexico Adds Veteran Midfielder Micheal Azira" . www.uslchampionship.com . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .
^ Staff, New Mexico United (February 8, 2021). "NEW MEXICO UNITED ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF GOALSCORING JAMAICAN INTERNATIONAL BRIAN BROWN" . New Mexico United . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .
^ New Mexico United Twitter https://twitter.com/NewMexicoUTD/status/1366448733240647689?s=20 . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "USL Championship Announces 2021 Season Format" . www.uslchampionship.com . Retrieved March 4, 2021 .
^ "USL Championship Unveils 2021 League Alignment" . www.uslchampionship.com . Retrieved March 4, 2021 .
^ "New Mexico United" . newmexicounited.com .
^ "League Standings" . uslsoccer.com .
^ "Open Cup Committee Approves Schedule, Format and Contingency Plan for 2021 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup" . www.ussoccer.com . Retrieved March 4, 2021 .
^ Staff, USLSoccer com (March 29, 2021). "United Soccer League Announces Participating Teams for 2021 U.S. Open Cup" . USL Championship . Retrieved April 6, 2021 .