In 2023, New Mexico United said farewell to their second-ever head coach and brought in Eric Quill. Even with half of a season to make changes, Quill stepped in and showed what this club could do, bringing in some new faces to close out the 2023 campaign. Looking ahead to 2024, this is truly Quill’s roster. This season will be one with a lot of change for United, not only in their locker room but also with a major change to the competitive landscape in US Soccer.
Quill’s playing career spanned several Major League Soccer teams, including the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Dallas Burn. After retiring in 2005, he transitioned into coaching, starting with the Houston Cougars women’s team. He quickly rose through the ranks, leading North Texas SC to a historic season in USL League One, where they claimed the league title in 2019. Before joining United, Quill served as an assistant coach for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.
Known for his tactical flexibility and emphasis on player development, Quill is excited to lead New Mexico United. The team kicks off their season with a home opener on March 9th, 2024, against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Fans at Isotopes Park can expect an exciting match as Quill looks to build upon the strong finish to the 2023 campaign and start the new season with a splash at home.
“There were some tough goodbyes in the off-season. There were some guys who had been here for a while and its always tough to do that,” said Quill during media day. “We felt like we wanted to get some new blood in here and tried to bring in some players whose profiles we feel represent the values of New Mexico.”
In an offseason with a number of moves, you never know just how things will pan out as players learn to work together, but Quill is optimistic.
“I’m really pleased with how things have gone in a short amount of time. I think this group is going to be fun to watch. They’re very fast and technical. Now it’s just a matter of getting them to gel and play the way we want them to.”
For those unfamiliar with the USL Championship, it features 24 professional soccer teams divided into two conferences – Eastern and Western. Each team plays a 34-game regular season schedule, facing conference opponents twice and out-of-conference teams once. The top eight teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs, culminating in a single-elimination tournament to determine the USL champion.
Now, let’s shift gears to the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, a single-elimination tournament steeped in tradition and open to professional and amateur teams from across the United States. However, the 2024 edition finds itself facing a unique challenge. In a surprising move, Major League Soccer announced that only eight MLS teams would participate, with the remaining spots traditionally filled by MLS teams being replaced by their feeder clubs in MLS Next Pro. This decision has sparked controversy, with some viewing it as a way for MLS to prioritize its own league schedule and diminish the prestige of the Open Cup.
The 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup sees a significant shakeup with Major League Soccer’s limited participation. This year’s tournament kicks off with a unique first round featuring a true clash of titans and underdogs. 32 amateur clubs from the Open Division will battle it out against 32 professional teams from Division III. The Open Division contingent boasts a mix of grit and glory, with 11 Qualifying Round winners, 11 USL League Two teams, eight NPSL teams, the USASA National Amateur Cup champion, and the UPSL Spring Champion. Division III brings its own brand of competitive spirit, fielding 12 USL League One teams, nine NISA teams, and a surprising addition of 11 MLS Next Pro teams. Winners from this opening round will advance to face each other in the Second Round.
The format then transitions to a more traditional structure. The victors of the Second Round will square off against the 16 professional teams from USL Championship’s Division II, who enter the competition in the Third Round. The remaining eight USL Championship teams, alongside the eight participating MLS sides, join the fray in the Round of 32. These eight USL Championship teams include the reigning champions, Phoenix Rising FC, joined by the next seven highest-ranked teams from the 2023 season standings. With this revised format, the 2024 U.S. Open Cup promises an exciting blend of established names and up-and-coming talent, all vying for a coveted spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.
The future of the Open Cup in its current form remains uncertain, with some questioning whether MLS’s reduced participation will diminish the overall excitement and competitiveness. Despite the controversy, the 2024 tournament is still set to kick off with the First Round on March 19th, 2024, with the remaining rounds following a condensed schedule throughout the year, culminating in the final on September 4th, 2024. Only time will tell if this revised format can capture the magic of the Open Cup or if the tournament will undergo further changes in the future.
New Mexico United 2024: Anchoring the Backline (Part 1)
New Mexico United heads into the 2024 USL Championship season with a strong defensive foundation. Here’s a look at some key players who will be vital in keeping the opposition at bay:
- Goalkeepers:
- Alex Tambakis (GRE): The experienced Greek shot-stopper returns as the expected No. 1 for United. He can’t slack off, however, with newcomer Kris Shakes looking to potentially take over that role. Look for his leadership and composure to be crucial in high-pressure situations. “Obviously we have a lot of new guys on the team, but the old guys are going to push and make the new guys feel like they’re part of the family here. Our first goal is to win games and continue to push towards the cup.”
- Kris Shakes (USA): A highly-rated college standout at Penn State, Shakes adds valuable depth and competition to the goalkeeping position. His agility and reflexes could see him challenging for playing time.
- Defenders:
- Chris Gloster (USA): A newcomer, Gloster brings versatility to the backline, comfortable playing both center back and fullback. His experience and composure will be valuable assets. “[Eric] was a coach with the youth national team while I was there and he has a big vision for this club and I wanted to be a part of that.”
- Anthony Herbert (USA): Another new addition, Herbert bolsters the central defense with his strength and aerial prowess. His experience in Finland’s top flight should provide a solid presence.
- Talen Maples (USA): The former Houston Dynamo 2 captain brings leadership and organizational skills to the backline. His ability to marshal the defense will be key.
- Arturo Astorga (USA): A reliable fullback, Astorga provides a strong defensive presence down the flank. His attacking contributions could also be valuable. “Returning this year for my first full season as a pro is really exciting for me. It gives me a lot of confidence in my play and what I can bring to this team.”
- Kalen Ryden (USA): A former USL Cup Champion, the veteran centre-back has been a staple for New Mexico over the past few years. He returned from an injury and improved in 2023 over where he was in 2022. His leadership on the backline will be crucial for United. “I’m extremely excited to be wearing this badge again. The team has bonded a lot here in the preseason and I can’t wait to see how things go. Eric has his identity of what he wants and the guys who are back have a clear idea of who we are and who we’re going to be this year.”
- Defensive Midfielder:
- Will Seymore (USA): A tireless worker, Seymore provides a vital shield in front of the backline. His ability to win tackles and break up play will be crucial for NMU’s success. “[The extension] Was a big deal for me. I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I want to help finish the goal of getting a championship.”
- Utility Players:
- Zico Bailey (USA): Primarily a right-back, Bailey’s versatility allows him to slot in at fullback or in the midfield as needed. His pace and defensive awareness add depth to the backline. “Getting a full preseason with these guys is a really good thing. I think it gives coach a chance to work more with everyone get us all on the same page.”
- Avionne Flanagan (USA): Another young player, Flanagan offers versatility, capable of playing both defense and midfield. His athleticism will be an asset.
- Harry Swartz (USA): A veteran defender, Swartz brings experience and leadership to the backline. While his playing time might be more limited, his presence will be valuable for the younger defenders. “I think Jacobo and Zico did a great job transitioning into the club, and really the club does a great job bringing in quality people and they’re doing a great job. From a stylistic standpoint, we’re just being more technical on the ball. No matter what, we want to do whatever it takes to win games.”
Stay tuned later this week for parts two and three of our season preview.
New Mexico United’s season gets underway on Saturday, March 9 at 2 PM (MT) when they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Catch every minute of every game on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, or The TEAM apps.