ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – After an uneven start to the 2026 season, New Mexico United appears to be gaining momentum at just the right time.
The Black & Yellow are coming off one of their most complete performances of the season, a 4-0 victory over rival Phoenix Rising FC in USL Jägermeister Cup play, while the organization also took time this week to celebrate the next generation of New Mexico soccer players through its academy program.
The recent stretch reflects a club that is beginning to see the benefits of months of work on and off the field.
'Right now I feel like now we're getting the fruits of all the work that we put behind the scene,' midfielder Valentin Noël said following the win over Phoenix. 'Now it's about contributing, doing it again, again, and again, every weekend after every weekend.'
The victory was particularly significant considering Phoenix handed United a 30 defeat earlier this season in Arizona.
This time, New Mexico controlled the match from start to finish.
Niall Reid-Stephen opened the scoring just before halftime off an assist from Chris Gloster, giving United a 1-0 lead heading into the break. Ousman Jabang doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute before Noël added a goal of his own in the 70th minute. Dayonn Harris completed the scoring in the 85th minute on a setup from Noël.
The 4-0 result tied the largest margin of victory ever recorded by New Mexico United at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, matching last season's 4-0 home win over Detroit City FC.
For Reid-Stephen, one of United's major offseason additions, the atmosphere continues to stand out.
'The atmosphere is amazing. I'm loving the crowd,' he said. 'I'd say it's one of the biggest crowds I've ever played in front of.'
Head Coach Dennis Sanchez said the performance reflected the progress the team has been making throughout the spring.
'We found our goals, and honestly probably could have found more throughout the night, so just another performance to build on,' Sanchez said. 'The relationships that are forming on the field, you're starting to see them come to fruition.'
United’s victory continues a trend that has emerged over the last several weeks.
Following significant roster turnover during the offseason, including the departures of longtime goalkeeper Alex Tambakis and All-League defender Talen Maples, United spent much of the early season integrating new players and establishing chemistry. Now, that chemistry appears to be developing.
Noël has become one of the club's most dangerous attacking threats, while newcomers such as Reid-Stephen, Sofiane Djeffal and others have begun settling into Sanchez's system.
'The key to our foundation is really to have more energy and more effort than the other team,' Sanchez said.
While the first team continues its push through league and cup competition, the club's academy program is also celebrating an important milestone.
New Mexico United announced this week it will honor nine academy players who graduated from New Mexico high schools in 2026. The players will receive personalized first-team jerseys during a ceremony before training Thursday.
Those being recognized are Dani Guerrero of Organ Mountain High School, Ivan Moore of Oak Grove Classical Academy, Charlie Groves of Albuquerque High School, Taren Wente of Eldorado High School, Winston Starr of La Cueva High School, Steven Leon of Tierra Encantada Charter School, Connor Hanks of La Cueva High School, McKay Rogers of Volcano Vista High School and Cristiano Flores of Rio Grande High School.
Later that evening, six academy players will participate in a college signing ceremony at the New Mexico United Team Store.
Kyle Hofmann will attend Gardner-Webb University, Grady Gilchrist is headed to Creighton University, Taren Wente will join the University of Pittsburgh, Ivan Moore signed with Biola University, Connor Hanks will attend Colorado Christian University, and Charlie Groves will continue his career at the University of California San Diego.
The recognition comes during a strong year for the academy program, which recently earned a 2-2 draw against Stars FC in a match highlighted by a spectacular long-range goal from Hofmann.
For the professional club, attention now turns toward maintaining momentum as summer approaches and the Western Conference race begins to take shape.
United also announced this week that its scheduled Oct. 3 home match against Phoenix Rising FC has been moved to Sunday, Oct. 4, while remaining at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.
With the attack beginning to click, key players finding form and academy prospects continuing to advance, the organization appears well-positioned as it enters the middle portion of the 2026 season.
For a club that reached the Western Conference Final a year ago, the goal remains the same: continue building and be playing its best soccer when the postseason arrives.