Cristian Nava is Available for Selection for US Open Cup Match

After rehabbing from a knee injury for more than a year, Nava could see action in Tuesday’s 3rd round match at Rio Rancho

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - After more than a year of hard work spent on rehab, New Mexico’s own Cristian Nava is finally available for selection ahead of Tuesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match to be played at Rio Rancho High School. Nava tore his ACL during the 2023 preseason, and the road to recovery has been long, but the Albuquerque High School graduate has been training with his teammates for the last several weeks - aiming to retake the field soon.

“Coming back from a long-term injury takes incredible grit and determination,” said United Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “While making sure the body recovers well is crucial, equally as important is the mental toll it can take on an athlete to not be on the field every day. Cristian has shown determination, diligence and tenacity, and we can’t wait for him to be on the field again.”

Nava - an Albuquerque- native and New Mexico United Academy star - has excelled at every level, from his time as a youth player with Rio Rapids and Albuquerque High School, to his dominance as a member of the New Mexico United Academy where he won the 2022 Golden Ball as the USL Academy Playoffs’ top player. Now, as a pro, he has scored goals against United rivals like Phoenix Rising FC, and is ready to retake the pitch once again.

In addition to Nava, Academy Contract players Jackson DuBois, Yuto Oketani, and Jace Sais are all available for selection in Tuesday’s match. Oketani, a Santa Fe Prep product, and Sais and DuBois - La Cueva High products have been hard at work alongside their United teammates over the last few months.

Editor’s Note: Due to press deadline, the Cibola Citizen was unable to get the results of Tuesday’s game.