ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Friday the club had signed captain Talen Maples to a contract extension to remain in Black & Yellow through the 2027 USL Championship season.

Maples joined United ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season, quickly becoming a leader on the pitch and in the locker room. Since the start of the 2024 campaign, Maples leads New Mexico with 46 appearances and 3,966 minutes played across the regular season and playoffs while also scoring five times.

In his first season with United, Maples led the team and was among the league leaders with 141 clearances and 30 blocks. In 2025, Maples was chosen to be a co-captain alongside fellow center back Kalen Ryden. Since his arrival, no United defender has more clearances (190), blocks (41) while he also ranks tied for the club lead in recoveries (179).

“Since his arrival, Talen has been a terrific defender, and wonderful leader on and off the pitch,” said New Mexico United Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “Talen leads by example, and has been phenomenal at every turn. We are thrilled to have him in New Mexico for two more seasons, and know that he’ll continue to make a difference at every opportunity.”

Maples joined United having spent the two previous seasons in the Houston Dynamo organization, where he recorded two appearances for the club’s First Team in its run to victory in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup while also recording 47 appearances for reserve team Houston Dynamo II in MLS NEXT Pro.