NM’s new United Soccer League club enhances staff
United to commence its season in March
New Mexico United recently announced its complete technical staff to work under head coach Troy Lesesne during its upcoming inaugural United Soccer League season. It includes:
Brandon Morris: Director of Soccer Operations and Assistant Technical Director
Joel Tyson: First Assistant Coach and Director of Sports Performance
Zach Prince: Assistant Coach and Director of High-Performance Youth Programming
“Albuquerque gave me a good opportunity to come in and start something fresh,” Morris said. “(I knew) it was good staff and good place to be. We’re trying to build a culture here.”
Tyson worked directly with Lesesne on the staff of the Charlotte Independence, another USL franchise.
According to USL information, most league teams have roughly five coaches on its technical staff including a physio or strength coach in some cases. Lesesne was looking for people with previous USL experience to help him fill in any gaps in his résumé.
“Someone I know and can trust; that’s a big deal in any profession,” Lesesne said. “People able to challenge me. Making sure they feel open to expressing their opinions.”
The only announced player under contract is Eldorado and New Mexico alum Devon Sandoval. Most player contracts are on an annual basis with a club option beyond. The league does not have a salary cap. USL provides teams a list of available players.
“Every position is so important. What Troy is going to ask from each player is going to be a lot,” Prince said. “We’re putting a lot of time and effort into each position.”
The new coaching staff is busy compiling scouting reports on player technical, tactical, and character factors. The staffers seek players with particular attributes within the desired New Mexico United style.
“Each team has their own budget they’re working from,” Morris said. “We understand the task ahead of us. We can find fits in our system and fit in the city, with the budget that we have.”
The club will likely play a 3-43 or 4-3-3 alignment, suggesting attacking pace and purpose will be found in the wide areas. However, Lesesne emphasizes roster construction first through the middle spine with centerbacks and central midfielders.
“I know Troy (Lesesne) wants to bring a high-intensity, high-pressing style to New Mexico,” Prince said. “Something that’s going to be an attractive style of play that’s going to evolve. As we get players in, the formation and the way we set up, I don’t think that style will always stay true.”
New Mexico United will host an open tryout Nov. 10 featuring technical drills and a full-sided scrimmage. The team is hoping to find players to invite back to a closed tryout in December. The next step would be a preseason camp in 2019. The season opens in March, and United will play home matches at Isotopes Park.
“From the players that I’ve talked to so far, most of the players are just as excited as I am to work with something brand new,” Lesesne said. “They know a little bit of my personality, they want to be on board with someone just as hungry as they are. We want to win here. We want to make our mark as a really important franchise in USL.”