Back in Black and Yellow: United Kicks off Player-Signing Season with Four Returners
October 31, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – New Mexico United News Release
New Mexico United is excited to kick off the 2023 offseason with the return of four key players from the 2022 club. Kalen Ryden, Amando Moreno, Cristian Nava and Chris Wehan – all players with returns that had previously been acknowledged through extensions in previous years – are back for the 2023 USL Championship season.
Ryden – a captain for New Mexico United, and winner of the 2022 Somos Unidos Award returns for his fourth year with New Mexico, after joining from Real Monarchs SLC in the 2020 offseason. Ryden has made 75 appearances in Black & Yellow – 8th-most all-time – scored two goals and assisted two more, and has been a vocal leader for United, on and off-the-pitch. He has been the club’s anchor defensively for three seasons, and is excited to return for a fourth!
The 27-year old Moreno is also returning for his fourth season in New Mexico. Moreno fought through a knee injury at the end of 2021, and was a force for United in the latter part of this season, after completing his rehabilitation. Moreno has made 49 appearances for United, and scored 14 goals over that time, assisting an additional eight.
Academy product and hometown boy, Nava continues his run in Black & Yellow in 2023, as well. Nava was the first player in New Mexico United history to complete the Path to Pro. After dominating at the Academy level and winning the first-ever USL Academy Playoffs Golden Ball, Nava made his pro debut in 2021, and truly established himself as a first-team regular this season. The 19-year old has already made 16 pro appearances and scored twice.
Wehan – one of United’s original signings – has been a force since his arrival in 2019. The club’s all-time leader in goals (35) and assists (17), Wehan won United’s Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2022, after scoring seven goals and assisting three more. He is second all-time in appearances for New Mexico United, with 94.
Additional announcements on returning players, departing players, new signings and more can be expected over the coming months as the 2023 New Mexico United roster continues to take shape.
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