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McKinze Gaines has proven he can play at American soccer’s highest level. What might he accomplish in a USL Championship season?
New Mexico United plans to find out. United signed the former MLS winger for the 2025 campaign on Monday, adding another piece to the roster ahead of coach Dennis Sanchez’s first season with the club.
Known for his speed and one-v-one ability, Gaines has spent time with five MLS clubs, most recently Houston Dynamo where he made 11 appearances in 2024. Overall, he has 67 MLS appearances under his belt at the young age of 26, posting three goals and seven assists.
A native of Austin, Texas, Gaines earned his way onto hometown Austin FC’s roster as a trialist in 2021. He has since spent time with Nashville, Charlotte and Houston in the MLS ranks.
Prior to his time in MLS, Gaines spent five seasons playing professionally in Europe with three clubs. The longest stint was with Germany’s Sonnenhof Grossaspach, where he scored three goals in 24 appearances.
“McKinze is an incredible talent and wonderful, humble human being,” United Sporting Director Itamar Keinan said in a club release. “We are excited to welcome him to the Black & Yellow family, and can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish on and off the pitch.”
The addition of Gaines brings NMU’s roster to 18 players — 15 returnees and three new additions.
United began training last week and opens preseason play Feb. 5 with the first of three matches in Tucson, Arizona.
New Mexico will host preseason matches at its Mesa del Sol training center on Feb. 22 (vs. Denver University) and March 1 (vs. El Paso Locomotive FC). Regular-season play begins March 8 at Sacramento Republic FC.
