Kipp Keller returns for NM United in rout of Las Vegas Lights FC

NEW MEXICO UNITED

'An important piece,' Keller makes return for NM United

After missing five matches, defender plays 1st half in rout of Las Vegas Lights FC

NM United defender Kipp Keller heads down the field during the game against Las Vegas Lights at Isotopes Park on Saturday. Keller, who missed the last five matches, played the entire first half.

Jessica Baca/Journal

David Glovach David Glovach Journal Staff Writer

Published May 9, 2026 - 10:10 p.m. Modified May 10, 2026 - 6:56 p.m.

Kipp Keller had to stop himself. He threw in a sly grin, too.

The New Mexico United defender knew he wasn鈥檛 supposed to swear in his postgame interview. At the very least, it was frowned upon.

It would have been easy to forgive Keller if he did. He was that excited to learn he was going to start in Saturday鈥檚 match against Las Vegas Lights FC.

鈥淚 was like, 鈥楬ell, yeah,鈥� Keller said after United鈥檚 3-1 win. 鈥溾€楲et鈥檚 freaking go.鈥� 鈥� I was gonna say 鈥� well, you know?鈥�

Oh, the context was easy to read.

Especially with the defender making his first appearance since New Mexico鈥檚 3-2 home-opening win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on March 28. He missed the last five matches (between the regular season, the U.S. Open Cup and USL Cup) recovering from a second hernia surgery.

Keller played the first half 鈥� all 45 minutes and the extra 60 seconds of stoppage time 鈥� before being pulled for Chris Gloster. It was the most time Keller has logged this season since the opener at Oakland Roots SC.

United defender Ousman Jabang, left, kicks the ball to the goal while Las Vegas Lights goalkeeper Charlie Lanphier, right, attempt to stop the ball at Isotopes Park on Saturday, May. 09, 2026.

鈥淚t was great to have him out there,鈥� said manager Dennis Sanchez, whose club returns to USL Cup play at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC next Saturday. United won its group stage Cup opener against AV Alta FC on April 25.

鈥淥bviously, Kipp鈥檚 an important piece to this group, not only on the field but off the field (with) the energy he brings, experience (and) his competitive spirit,鈥� Sanchez said.

And the funny thing is Keller wasn鈥檛 even supposed to play that much, but an illness changed that plan.

鈥淒ennis gave me a call this afternoon,鈥� Keller said. 鈥淚 was supposed to play for 30 minutes. He called me and he鈥檚 like, 鈥楪los has a little stomach bug,鈥� so he gave me 45.鈥�

And no, Keller didn鈥檛 petition for more minutes. He, the training staff and coaches decided to bring him back in a limited role due to his past tendencies to play through injuries. Although a few more minutes might have been warranted. Certainly, no one could have faulted him if he had tried.

Lights (2-5-2) came into the match ranked fifth in the USL Championship in goals scored with 13. They managed just one against United (3-3-1), which held Lights to a 40th-minute equalizer from Oalex Anderson with Raiko Arozarena saving five shots.

Niall Reid-Stephen scored in the first half for New Mexico in the 32nd minute. Ousman Jabang (53rd minute) and Zico Bailey (73rd) recorded second-half goals. Bailey also notched an assist.

鈥淲e played a good first half against El Paso (in Wednesday's 2-2 draw),鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淎nd we were disappointed with the second half that we had (after conceding a late equalizer), so we wanted to right our wrongs in this game. That鈥檚 the mindset we had.鈥�

Keller, for one, couldn鈥檛 be happier to be back in that frame of mind.

鈥淚 love being out there with the guys,鈥� Keller said. 鈥淟ove getting wins. Love giving everything I got for this team and this club. It was a pleasure to be back.鈥�

David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X .