ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico United continues to strengthen its position in the USL Championship as the club enters the heart of the summer schedule playing some of its best soccer of the season.
Over the past several weeks, the Black & Yellow have combined strong league performances with memorable moments on and off the field, climbing into the top tier of the Western Conference while also showcasing the depth of the organization through its academy system.
The club's momentum was on full display during its Independence Day weekend.
After playing Liga MX side Atlante FC to an entertaining 3-3 draw on July 1, United returned to league play three days later and defeated Oakland Roots SC 2-1 before a record crowd of 14,847 at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. The attendance marked one of the largest home crowds in club history as fans celebrated the nation's 250th anniversary with a postgame fireworks show.
The exhibition against Atlante offered plenty of excitement despite not counting in the league standings. Greg Hurst and Joseph Melto scored firsthalf goals before hometown academy standout Winston Starr delivered one of the night's most memorable moments, scoring a dramatic 89thminute equalizer in front of 6,720 fans.
'I was here at the first ever New Mexico United game as a kid, and I always wanted to be on this field representing this state,' Starr said afterward. 'To represent it tonight and score a goal was amazing.'
Head Coach Dennis Sanchez praised his team's resilience after fighting back from deficits twice.
'I love the guys' response tonight, going down really twice in the game and responding right away,' Sanchez said. 'I think 3-3 is probably a pretty fair result for everybody tonight.'
Three days later, United carried that momentum into a crucial Western Conference matchup against Oakland.
Albuquerque native Cristian Nava opened the scoring just six minutes into the match, recording his first goal at The Lab since 2022. Zico Bailey doubled the advantage before halftime as New Mexico dominated the opening 45 minutes, holding Oakland without a shot in the first half.
'I thought the first half was fantastic,' Sanchez said after the victory. 'I thought we were tough in the first half and really should have been up maybe three or four goals.'
Oakland pulled one back on a second-half penalty kick, but United closed out the 2-1 victory to continue its climb up the Western Conference standings.
The club carried that form into another rivalry match on July 11, defeating El Paso Locomotive FC 2-0 on the road.
After a scoreless first half, Sanchez turned to his bench, and the substitutions immediately changed the match. Joseph Melto broke the deadlock in the 85th minute before Bailey added an insurance goal four minutes later. Defender Kipp Keller then produced a dramatic goalline clearance in stoppage time to preserve United's fifth clean sheet in seven matches.
'I have full confidence in every player who was here tonight,' Sanchez said following the victory. 'We have a great roster. More than anything, there's belief and confidence.'
While the first team continues its playoff push, New Mexico United also continues investing in the future of soccer across the state.
The club recently signed academy standouts Winston Starr and Fabian Mata to academy contracts, making them eligible for first-team selection while preserving their collegiate eligibility. Starr's late goal against Atlante showcased the potential that has made him one of New Mexico's brightest young prospects.
Sporting Director Itamar Keinan praised both players following the announcement.
'It is exciting every time we have an opportunity to reward players from our academy who deserve it,' Keinan said. 'Both Fabian and Winston dedicated a lot to get here.'
United also announced academy tryouts for players born between 2009 and 2012, continuing a development pathway that has already helped numerous local athletes advance to college soccer and, increasingly, the professional ranks.
Off the field, the club was recognized as one of the Top 5 nominees for the 2026 New Mexico Entertainment Awards, reflecting its growing impact beyond soccer.
United now continues a lengthy stretch away from home, including road matches against Lexington SC and Birmingham Legion FC before returning to Albuquerque on Aug. 1 to host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the club's 'Girls in the Game' match at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.
After reaching the Western Conference Final a season ago, New Mexico United once again appears to be finding its rhythm at the right time. Strong defending, timely scoring and growing confidence have fueled one of the club's best stretches of the season, positioning the Black & Yellow as a legitimate contender as the second half of the 2026 campaign unfolds.