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United’s Kalen Ryden, right, acknowledges the crowd at Isotopes Park on July 9 after a goal scored by New Mexico teammate Sergio Rivas, left. (Mike Sandoval for the Albuquerque Journal)
New Mexico United gets a moment in the national spotlight Wednesday, facing host San Antonio FC in a match that will be televised on ESPN2.
The visitors are rested and ready.
United comes into the match after a nine-day break, which coach Troy Lesesne says was much-needed. Prior to that span, NMU played five times in 18 days with three of those matches on the road.
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Asked how his club spent its recent time off, Lesesne joked, “A lot of time at Top Golf.”
Isotopes are back in town; Bregman isn t (not yet at least) abqjournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abqjournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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New Mexico United’s Michael Azira, far right, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Colorado Springs. (Roberto E. Rosales/Journal)
There may be something of a flashback in progress when New Mexico United hosts the Charleston Battery on Monday night.
Not only do Charleston and New Mexico sport the same primary uniform colors, black and yellow, but a significant number of United players and coaches have history with both USL Championship franchises.
NMU head coach Troy Lesesne both played and served as an assistant for the Battery. United assistant Zach Prince, midfielder Micheal Azira and goalkeeper Alex Tambakis all played for Charleston, the former two winning a league title there in 2012.
Nothing as of this writing is set in stone, but let’s presume it happens.
In one sense, terrific. The consummate overachiever with a World Series ring, an All-Star Game MVP trophy and a chip on his shoulder to match his cockiness and inexhaustible drive. A guy with a big heart, a philanthropist, who obviously adores his parents. Coming back to a stadium “in which he literally grew up,” says Isotopes general manager John Traub. Alex’s father Sam occupied a suite at Isotopes games for years and, as noted below, remains an advertiser in the ballpark.
“One of us,” New Mexicans can say of Alex.
NM United snatches win at home game against Colorado Springs dailylobo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailylobo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.