United by the Numbers
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unitedbythenumbers.com
United by the Numbers
@unitedbythenumbers.com
A complete history of New Mexico United by uniform number. Book coming soon!
https://linktr.ee/unitedbythenumbers
https://ubtn.substack.com
https://unitedbythenumbers.com
Pinned
Did you know that we’ve had two players with the last name Williams?

How bout three players with a last name that starts with “Z”?

The all-time alphabetical roster is available now!

www.unitedbythenumbers.com/all-time-ros...
¡SOMOS NÚMEROS! - Alphabetical Roster
A Joris Ahlinvi (#26, 2020) Mukwelle Akale (#11, 2024-present) Ken Akamatsu (#26, 2019) Arturo Astorga (#15, 2023-2024) Micheal Azira (#23, 2021-2022) B Zico Bailey (#19, 2023-present) Ben Beaury (#...
www.unitedbythenumbers.com
Huge thanks to David Estrada (#19) for sitting down today to interview for the book. That’s player interview #51 completed for this project!
December 20, 2025 at 4:26 AM
I hope Juan Gigawatts gets his preferred #21 in Tampa
December 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
In happier news, New Mexico United has re-signed Kris Shakes (#13) for the 2026 season.

This will be Kris’ third season in New Mexico. We’ll keep a close eye on all things Alex Tambakis (#1) to see if there is a possible number change in Shakes’ future. 👀

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
New Mexico United re-signs goalkeeper Kris Shakes
24-year-old recorded 50 saves in 17 appearances after becoming regular starter in 2025 season
www.uslchampionship.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Mukwelle Akale (#11) has signed for Eastern Conference powerhouse Lou City. 😭

His legacy in the very strong #11 line here in New Mexico will not be forgotten. Good luck, Kwelle.
December 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Vote for Dayonn (and Zico and Alex)!!!

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
December 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I’m currently transcribing my 2024 interview with Josh Suggs (#5) and immediately want to find a wall to run though for him.
a kitchen with a checkered floor and a white refrigerator with the words oh yeah !!! written on it .
ALT: a kitchen with a checkered floor and a white refrigerator with the words oh yeah !!! written on it .
media.tenor.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Madison Hammond? New Mexico Chiles? And a Black Diamonds shout out?

Grab this one while you can.
🏜️Pre-sales for Issue Two, Soccer in the Southwest, are heating up!
🌵Art by Gabaldon, SABA, Apodaca, and Mizer
🌵Articles by Vaughn, Brandt, Gawronski, Arters, and Morrissey
🔥Issue One SOLD OUT - do not miss out on issue two!
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/rdli1h4...
December 3, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Tonight I had the privilege of conducting my 50th (!!) New Mexico United player interview for the forthcoming United by the Numbers book. Thank you to Abdi Mohamed (#26), a wonderful player and incredible human, for participating in this project.

📸: @newmexicoutd.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 3:16 AM
The one where Jake gets super emo thinking about any of our guys moving on 🖤

open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/s...
Silly Season and Gratitude Season
As players start to move from the squad, I find myself extra emo and wanting to say a big thank you to each of them.
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by United by the Numbers
We support:

Full Year contracts.
Healthcare
Safe Working Environments.
#ProStandards
November 25, 2025 at 2:16 AM
It’s that time of year, folks. Make sure you pin/bookmark/leave-this-page-open-permanently for quick reference.
November 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by United by the Numbers
"I feel that the expectations that I have with this group and myself, we’re right where we’re supposed to be." - @newmexicoutd.bsky.social HC Dennis Sanchez

Sanchez is back in the #USL-C Western Final, but after his run with Las Vegas, this feels different.

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
In New Mexico United’s first chance at silverware, Dennis Sanchez returns to familiar territory
United’s Head Coach set for second consecutive Western Conference Final after run with Lights backed by players with big-game experience
www.uslchampionship.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Really great piece about the successes of New Mexico United's coaches and the system and philosophy that they've thrived under. This is a paid article, but I highly recommend a sub to Backheeled to support John's work!
So far this decade, MLS clubs have hired more than 60 managers.

Three came from the USL Championship. Two of those three came from New Mexico United.

Led by another rising coach in Dennis Sanchez, @usltactics.com looks at how New Mexico became the USL's top coaching factory.

Read ⤵️
How New Mexico United has become the USL’s top coaching factory
With a track record of sending managers to MLS and a rising young coach at the helm of this year’s trophy contender, New Mexico is doing plenty right.
www.backheeled.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Talen Maples (#12) and @newmexicoutd.bsky.social keeper-for-a-day Danny Vitiello (#21) earn USL Championship All-Second Team honors. Congrats, guys!
The 2025 #USL-C All-League Teams have been announced.

- Five @loucity.com players earn First Team honors
- 14 first-time selections across the First and Second Teams
- Seven return selections from 2024 honorees

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
USL Championship Announces 2025 All-League Teams
Louisville City leads all clubs with six selections, 14 players earn honor for first time in career
www.uslchampionship.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:16 PM
New Mexico United’s incredible resurgence coincides neatly with the return to full-fitness by Dayonn Harris (#5). 📈

open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/s...

📸: Matt May | Tampa Bay Rowdies
Seize the Day
Dayonn Harris (#5) sends New Mexico United to the USL Championship's Western Conference Finals with a 94th minute winner against Orange County SC.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by United by the Numbers
Playoffs
November 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
🧵 1/2

My next player interview will be my 50th(!!), which is a wild number to reflect on. When I started writing this book, I just wanted to tell the stories of these players. While the interview process has greatly increased the scale and difficulty of the work 😅…
October 30, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Today was Jaylin Lindsey (#24) Day at UBTN HQ. I’m really grateful that I got to chat with him about #24 (a nod to Kobe), and talk about his journey through the rungs of the U.S. Youth National Team, and playing at home for Charlotte FC in MLS before arriving here in New Mexico.

Thanks, Jaylin!
October 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Had a few new subscribers today and now realize it could only be attributed to the @usltactics.com bump.

Thanks for the shout out and thanks again for the help with the Kalen Ryden (#22) defensive numbers!

And if you haven't read John's new piece yet, it's great, as always.
NEWSLETTER: With the 2025 regular season in the rear view mirror, I’m digging into the attendance trends across the Championship and League One. That, plus…

🛡️ Divergent midfields for Tulsa, Lexington
⚽️ Final weekend notes in L1
💀 More post-mortems

www.usltactics.com/p/the-back-f...
The Back Four: 2025 USL attendance, prediction revisits, and more
Featuring attendance data, egg on my face, and more USL miscellany
www.usltactics.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Daniel Bruce (#25) is retiring and I’m just trying to hold it together over here. 😭

open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/b...
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE
Daniel Bruce (#25), the last of the players from the beloved 2019 expansion team, announced his retirement this week.
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Some big personal news! I managed to get through the entire Daniel Bruce (#25) press conference without bawling my eyes out!

New Substack post dropping later today.
October 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Interview completed today with Luther Archimède (#29). ✅

I’m closing in on 50 player interviews now, which I never would’ve imagined when I started this project.

Thanks to everyone who has participated and helped to facilitate these interviews. I’m eternally grateful.
October 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Got a message today from Seattle Sounder & former New Mexico United loanee, Andrew Thomas (#26).

Interestingly, he prefers #13 like Kris Shakes. But when he originally signed for Seattle, #13 wasn’t available so he just doubled it to #26, which he also wore here. Love these stories.

📸: Sounders FC
October 15, 2025 at 12:12 AM