​Two development academy players from New Mexico United are earning more regular opportunities to line up with the senior squad alongside the older members. On Wednesday, United announced contracts for midfielders Winston Starr and Fabian Mata, enabling the La Cueva graduate and the eCademy attendee to compete for a place in the first team. United’s Sporting Director Itamar Keinan hailed the moves, saying, “It’s exciting every time we have an opportunity to reward players from our academy who deserve it. Both Fabian and Winston dedicated a lot to get here.”
Starr and Mata become the fourth and fifth academy players to secure pro contracts this year, following goalkeeper Taren Wente, defender Kyle Hofmann, and forward Grady Gilchrist. Wente is currently preparing for his debut college season at Pitt. Among United’s academy alumni, Cristian Nava stands out as the most notable, signing with the club’s academy in June 2021 and earning a first-team deal that August. Nava has remained with New Mexico since, aside from a brief one-year retirement in 2025.
Both Starr and Mata have already gained some first-team minutes. They, along with Hofmann and Gilchrist, featured in United’s international friendly against Liga MX side Atlante FC last Wednesday, with Starr scoring an 89th-minute equalizer on a Cam Wilkerson assist to make it a 3-3 draw. Starr has shown a proclivity for creative attacking play, tallying 15 goals and 12 assists during his senior year at La Cueva, a season that also saw him help his team win the 5A state championship. His performances earned him recognition as the Journal’s All-Metro boys soccer player of the year and a state top-player honor from Gatorade in June.
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or on X @DavidGlovach. For additional NM United coverage, the Journal highlights a range of related topics, including the team’s progress with academy players, specific standout performances, and the ongoing integration of younger talent into the first team.