ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Tuesday the club had signed Albuquerque native Ford Parker ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season. The 25-year-old goalkeeper returns to his hometown after spending the last two seasons with fellow USL Championship club Birmingham Legion FC.

Parker previously played college soccer at the University of New Mexico and University of California Irvine and played for USL League Two side Albuquerque Sol FC in 2018. At Legion FC, Parker made two appearances and recorded nine saves as he served as a back-up to regular starter Matt VanOekel.

“Ford has shown a tremendous amount of growth throughout our preseason camp,” said United Head Coach/Technical Director Zach Prince. “Every training session he has improved, and he has taken opportunities given to him in preseason games. He is an important piece of our goalkeeping core.”

Prior to his collegiate and professional careers, Parker played high school soccer at Sandia High in Albuquerque, and club soccer locally at Rio Rapids, where he impressed from a young age.

“I am very excited to hear Ford Parker is coming home to continue his professional career with New Mexico United,” said Parker’s coach at Rio Rapids, Jason Moran. “Ford has always been a hard worker, no matter the situation, and that hard work over the years has paid off with him being able to continue his pro career with his hometown pro club. Congratulations, Ford! Rio Rapids and I will be cheering you on!”