After coming up short in the USL Championship Playoffs in 2024, New Mexico United is back with a new gaffer and a new season of hopes. On paper, Head Coach Dennis Sanchez looks to have built a playoff contender. Until the season gets going, no one knows for sure what will happen. But, the season is here and the first test is the always dangerous Sacramento Republic FC.
As is customary in sports, both of these clubs underwent some changes. Sacramento turned over fewer roster positions than most teams, and are resting their hopes on the returns of Rodrigo Lopez and Russell Cicerone. Both players were lost to significant injuries in 2024 and will make their returns in the coming weeks. With the injuries in ’24, Sacramento underperformed the expectations of pundits around the league, but still managed to make the playoffs.
Various media outlets around the league have already predicted that Sacramento will make the playoffs once again, with outlets like United Front having them in second, USL Tactics predicting them to finish third, and USL Show having them a consensus number one in the West. They are a team that will need to be watched throughout the season as a favorite. That being said, they are facing a United club that is the most talented they’ve ever seen. If Danny Vitiello and the defensive backs can keep United from getting clean looks, they could open the season with a win.
Player to Watch
Justin Portillo – The former United player is one that could potentially be a difference maker for Sacramento. He’s creative through the midfield and he is known for his set piece specialty. With targets like Cicerone up top, Portillo could have a career year in assists.
Coming off of a playoff run that ended against Las Vegas Lights FC, United saw an opportunity to steal Dennis Sanchez away from the Nevada club and made the most of it. In his first full season in charge, he led the Lights to a 31 point improvement over the 2023 season. Now the man in charge in Albuquerque, he’s looking to continue United’s history of success. He certainly seems to have the tools at his disposal, both in his club and his tactics.
United and Lights both ran similar systems in 2024 and Sanchez will do much of the same in 2025. It will certainly help their cause that United is returning 15 players from the previous roster. They’ll be familiar with Sanchez’s system and should be able to easily adapt to any changes he wants to make. That number of returning players will also help incorporate the six new signings.
Under the watchful eye of Itamar Keinan, United made some positive signings in the offseason. The names being brought in were capped off by the latest signing, Thomas Amang. Amang has had several productive seasons in the USL, having played for San Diego and Orange County. A late addition to the club, he may see limited minutes in the opening weeks, but will be available to spell Greg Hurst. Behind him, United added McKinze Gaines and Gedion Zelalem, two players who were thought to be up and comers for the National Team. Now, all three of these players will look to make an impact as United goes against a solid defensive team in Sacramento. United will need to be tough through the midfield and put pressure on Republic early in order to unsettle them at the back.
Player to Watch
McKinze Gaines – Gaines featured when he was younger for the US Men’s U17 team and has spent time at the MLS and international levels. He is a dynamic winger who can help spread the field, something that United struggled with at times in 2024. Gaines will provide an outlet for the central midfielders and look to create ways to get the ball into the area.
Saturday’s season opener for New Mexico United will kick off from Heart Health Park in Sacramento, California at 8:00 p.m. (MT). There will be no radio coverage of this match, but 101.7 FM The TEAM will have running coverage on Twitter.