ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – With the 2026 USL Championship season fast approaching, New Mexico United has added two more pieces to its ever-evolving puzzle, announcing the signings of defender Maliek Howell and goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena. Both bring professional and international experience as United seeks to build on its historic 2025 campaign.
The club now enters preseason with one of the most complete rosters in the league, blending returning talent with a wave of exciting new acquisitions.
Howell Returns to the Land of Enchantment
New Mexico United officially announced the signing of Maliek Howell on January 20, marking a homecoming for the Jamaican center back who played college ball at the University of New Mexico in 2018.
“Maliek is a player we’ve been monitoring for some time,” said Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “He has a prior relationship with Coach Dennis, and his eagerness to return to the community after playing for the Lobos made him a natural fit for our club.”
Howell, 25, arrives after splitting time between Birmingham Legion FC and Las Vegas Lights FC in 2025. Across 17 appearances (12 starts), he recorded 1,139 minutes, 13 interceptions, 12 blocked shots, and 60 duels won— demonstrating both defensive intelligence and physicality.
Standing 6-foot-2, Howell adds size and athleticism to United’s back line, now anchored by veterans like Kipp Keller and bolstered by young talent across multiple positions. Over his career, Howell has logged 51 professional appearances, 45 interceptions, and 151 duels won evidence of his consistency and ability to win critical battles.
A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Howell also has three caps for the Jamaica national team, adding another player with international pedigree to United’s 2026 roster.
Goalkeeper Reinforcement
On January 19, United announced the signing of Raiko Arozarena, a 28-yearold Cuban international goalkeeper who is coming off a breakout season with Las Vegas Lights FC.
“Raiko has proven himself as a top goalkeeper in our league and is coming off an excellent season with 10 clean sheets,” said Keinan.
Arozarena appeared in 25 matches in 2025, totaling 2,234 minutes, while posting 10 shutouts – one of the top marks in the league. Known for his quick reflexes and vocal leadership, he made 160 career saves in 56 league appearances heading into 2026.
He also brings national team experience with Cuba, having represented his country during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, where he gained experience against some of the best national squads in North and Central America.
Prior to his stint in Vegas, Arozarena was part of the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ 2020–21 Regular Season title-winning team, adding a championship pedigree to a United squad hungry for hardware.
At 5-foot-11, Arozarena may not tower in the box, but he’s earned a reputation for playing bigger than his frame—commanding his area, organizing the back line, and making highlightreel stops.
Countdown to 2026
With Howell and Arozarena now in the fold, United enters final preparations for the 2026 USL Championship season with a deep, battle-tested roster.
The season opener is set for March 14 on the road against Oakland Roots SC, while fans in Albuquerque can circle March 28, when United returns to The Lab for a home opener against rival Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
After last year’s thrilling run to the Western Conference Final, the expectations are higher than ever. But the message remains the same: this club plays for the crest, the crowd, and the community that built it.
As Coach Dennis Sanchez said heading into 2026, “We play for more than wins. We play for this state. We play for each other.”