ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – USL New Mexico became the league’s latest addition this past Wednesday and was welcomed by local soccer fans and dignitaries including Mayor Tim Keller, University of New Mexico Women's Soccer Assistant Coach Karley Nelson and the club’s first signing for its 2019 campaign, former University of New Mexico standout Devon Sandoval.
Here are some of the sights and sounds from a memorable opening day in the new club’s history as it began its drive toward kickoff in March, 2019.
The USL is the fastest growing professional sports league in the nation and I’m excited to officially welcome them to the Land of Enchantment! #USLNM pic.twitter.com/YPYvkS54kY
— Mario J. Chavez (@mariojchavez) June 6, 2018
First player (returning to NM!) signed! Devon Sandoval is joining United New Mexico #USLNM pic.twitter.com/oW7jZjE71A
— Gary Oppedahl (@OGary) June 6, 2018
Few were surprised, but everyone was excited! #USLNM pic.twitter.com/mRMxmOOXkl
— Trisha Terhar (@TrishaTerhar) June 6, 2018
The #worstkeptsecret is now the #bestkeptsecret Rio Rapids Northern welcomes the USL to New Mexico. #uslnm #newmexicounited pic.twitter.com/9aS4SQgGwA
— Rio Rapids Northern (@RRNorthernSC) June 7, 2018
Excited to welcome @USLNewMexico home to Albuquerque today! #WorstKeptSecret #NewMexicoTRUE pic.twitter.com/1xWCHcfECd
— New Mexico Tourism Department (@NMtourism) June 6, 2018
Viva Futbol en Nuevo Mexico!!! The most beautiful place to play the world's most beautiful game. @uslnewmexico @uslsoccer #USLNM #NewMexicoUnited #Unity #Amor #NM #NewMexicoTrue #Familia #WorstKeptSecret https://t.co/DH2sflRJlR pic.twitter.com/CuaNUM4uyL
— Hakim Bellamy (@HakimBe) June 7, 2018
Well @USL what do we have here? #NMTrue #505 #NMsoccer pic.twitter.com/xe4qPoZRSV
— Stacy lofton (@Lofton713) June 6, 2018
The secret is out. Professional soccer is coming to New Mexico. #USLNM franchise starting in 2019. GAL! pic.twitter.com/lObqg1fxyU
— John Benavidez (@ProfBenavidez) June 6, 2018
#USLNM - Professional Soccer in NM!! pic.twitter.com/O2OEGSlSjm
— Kevin Gray (@eitsnm) June 6, 2018
When I was a kid, I wanted to be “Pele, the soccer player,” when I grew up % #TrueStory
— Eva (@Eva11_magic) June 8, 2018
I practiced every day.
This news likely would have kept the ‘3rd grade Eva’ even MORE awake at nights; practicing and visualizing playing, like #Pele, but for #USLNM https://t.co/vJNRjpecVl
The man responsible pic.twitter.com/7ulWxUViCP
— Red Bull Global Tolstoy (@TolstoyFC) June 6, 2018
All star coach and former professional player Karley Nelson reflects on building the best New Mexico #USLNM #OurStateOurTeam pic.twitter.com/3mq3cxX0NY
— USLNewMexico (@USLNewMexico) June 6, 2018
Welcome to the Land of Enchantment, @USLNewMexico! #USLNM #OurStateOurTeam pic.twitter.com/ziPrvXIqfS
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) June 6, 2018
#WorstKeptSecret is out! Professional soccer has arrived in #NM. #USLNM @USL @USLNewMexico @niccyerica pic.twitter.com/ocFnY8Jywh
— Ben J. Lewinger (@BenevolentLew) June 7, 2018
@BrentLawrence44 @USLNewMexico @USL #teamwork #soccer #platform #community Congratulation to everybody involved ⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/5xeYnxXleR
— AccelerateSports (@AccSportsBiz) June 6, 2018