ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Monday the club had signed winger McKinze Gaines ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.
Gaines joins New Mexico after spending time with Nashville SC, Charlotte FC and Houston Dynamo FC during the 2024 Major League Soccer season, completing the campaign with the Dynamo where he made 11 appearances and notched one assist in the regular season.
The 26-year-old has made 67 appearances in MLS across the regular season and playoffs overall, recording three goals and seven assists since arriving in the league with Austin FC in the 2021 campaign.
“McKinze is an incredible talent and wonderful, humble human being,” said United Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “We are excited to welcome him to the Black & Yellow family, and can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish on and off the pitch.”
Prior to his time in MLS, Gaines spent five seasons overseas, joining the professional ranks at Darmstadt 98 in the 2.Bundesliga before time on loan at FSV Zwickau and in the reserve team at Hannover 96.
Gaines previously represented the United States at the U17 and U19 levels, making his international debut in 2014.