United notebook: Rivas returns, USLC title odds and new broadcast partner

Sergio Rivas can take a little extra satisfaction from seeing his name on New Mexico United’s 2025 roster.

This time he did it the hard way.

Rivas, a Cibola High School alum who grew up in Albuquerque, officially signed for a fifth season with United on Thursday. Despite four productive seasons and his standing as a fan favorite, the talented midfielder’s return was not a sure thing.

He underwent double-hernia surgery during the offseason and United announced in February that the 27-year-old would be parting ways with his hometown club by mutual agreement. That announcement came before NMU hired new coach Dennis Sanchez, who would eventually leave the door open for a Rivas comeback.

Rivas rejoined the club for preseason training with little fanfare and went on to make the team as a trialist.

“I’m super thankful for the opportunity to come back after my surgery,” Rivas said Thursday. “Dennis really helped me with my comeback and has been so encouraging through the process. I’m really excited to be here for another season.”

Rivas has accumulated 17 goals (sixth-best in club history) and six assists over four seasons since joining United after two years with Reno 1868 FC. Injuries curtailed his playing time last season when he chipped in three goals and an assist in 25 appearances (16 starts).

Rivas said he’s now fully healthy and ready to make an impact.

“I feel great mentally and physically,” he said.

Rivas’ signing puts United’s roster at 21 players heading into Saturday’s regular-season opener at Sacramento Republic FC. Rivas brings the number of returning players from 2024 to 15.

“We’re very excited to welcome Sergio back to New Mexico United,” NMU Sporting Director Itamar Keinan said in a club release. “Sergio has put in terrific work throughout the preseason, and will be an important player for us in 2025. He is a terrific representation of what New Mexicans can achieve through hard work and dedication.”

Rivas said he had considered playing elsewhere in 2025 but preferred to remain with New Mexico.

“This is my home town,” he said. “I love playing here, I love our fans, I always want to be here. I’m really glad this worked out the way it did.”

POWER MATCHUP: Saturday’s New Mexico-Sacramento matchup may be the USL Championship’s most intriguing opener for 2025. Both clubs enter the season with new coaches, plenty of proven veterans and high expectations.

According to uslchampionship.com, defending league champ Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, New Mexico United and Sacramento Republic FC rate as the top three Western Conference contenders this season. The Switchbacks are first in the season’s first USLC Power Rankings, with NMU fifth and Sacramento sixth.

The league also published a Western Conference Preview this week, breaking down each of the 12 teams’ title chances. Sacramento was picked first, with New Mexico second and Colorado Springs third.

ON THE AIR: New Mexico United matches will be broadcast in English this season on local television and livestream by KRQE Media Group. Home and away matches will be carried live on New Mexico 50 (KASY) and will be available via free livestream at KRQE.com. Matches also will be rebroadcast Sundays at 11:30 p.m. on KRQE.

As in previous seasons, United matches also will be broadcast by ESPN Radio 101.7 FM (KQTM) beginning with NMU’s home opener March 22. The station will not carry United’s first two road matches due to state high school basketball tournament coverage. USL Championship matches also will be streamed live on subscription service ESPN+.