How New Mexico United players spent their bye week – Albuquerque Journal

NEW MEXICO UNITED
Players spent time doing variety of different activities during break
Dennis Sanchez was three words in when the shout came from the back of the room. 
OK. It was more of an imploration. Well, more than one. 
“Be honest,” a New Mexico United assistant called out.
Hey, even managers need to be held accountable. Especially when it comes to how truthful to be about whether Sanchez followed the advice given to players or continued to log hours and film during some scheduled off time at the end of last week’s bye.
“I don’t know if balance is achievable, but there is a level of kind of stepping away and seeing things in a clearer sense,” Sanchez said with a smirk on Thursday. “I think I’m a very reflective person by nature, but (you) try to find the balance of making sure that we’re moving in the right direction, but also taking advantage of the time (away).”
It appeared needed after getting routed 3-0 at Phoenix Rising FC on April 11.
So after a full week of practice, including a Friday Sanchez said was more grueling than usual, United made last weekend free of soccer obligations for the players. A chance to relax and recharge for a couple of days. More importantly, it offered the possibility to reset.
“It was good,” forward Greg Hurst said ahead of Saturday’s USL Cup match against AV Alta FC. “There is a lot of pressure every day. You try to compete to keep your spot (within) the team and obviously, you’re competing and you’re under pressure during games, so mentally, it does take its toll, especially when we have not had the start we wanted. 
“So to get a couple days away and kind of get away from the pitch sometimes helps you just decompress … and come back with a fresh mindset to start picking up and going again.”
The start of the season has been frustrating. 
United is tied for second-to-last in the USL in goals scored (5), ahead of only Monterey Bay FC (3). It is tied for 12th in goals conceded (8). That doesn’t take into account the club’s pair of U.S. Open Cup matches — a 3-2 win over Cruizers FC and a 4-0 loss to El Paso Locomotive FC.
So, how did United decide to spend its downtime in an effort for that fresh mindset? A variety of non-soccer ways.
Some players opted to chill by their apartments’ pool for some water time. (And more sun?) Others headed to the driving range to get in some golf shots. 
A few took advantage of the extended opportunities for rehab and treatment.
“Personally, it’s been nice because I’ve been out,” midfielder Gedion Zelalem said. “So it’s given me time to kind of get back into training and hopefully get minutes this weekend.”
And when all that was done or before venturing out, the players even kicked back and put on some TV — or telly as those from the United Kingdom refer to it — for some must-see viewing. 
“There’s a lot of Champions League games on and Premier League games, and me and Geds have watched a few of them together with some (of the) other boys,” said Hurst, who hails from Scotland. “You want to watch high-level games to see what you can take from that. I think some of the best learning comes from watching the best to do it, see what their ideas are and what they’re trying to do and how they implement the basics. It’s the basics that are the standpoint for them. 
“Watching a lot of football, I think, helps with your development of the game. That’s one thing I do for sure when I’ve got time off is watch as much football as possible.”
So to relax from soccer, Hurst and company … watched more soccer?
“It sounds a bit counterintuitive,” Hurst said with a grin. “But it’s nice when it’s someone else, especially when you have that little break.”
And United is hoping it pays off. For Saturday and in the matches after. That’s its honest evaluation.
“It gave us time to kind of break down what’s been happening in the season,” Zelalem said, “to try to play better.”
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.
Albuquerque native Cristian Nava says he’s finding joy in soccer again after early career injury woes
After injuries, former Manchester United defender seeks to kickstart career
NMED on Thursday proposed revisions to the state permit for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad
Steven Herrera spent four days in jail over smoking ordinance, cussing at police
UNM closes season tied for ninth place at Mountain West Women’s Golf Championship
Law enforcement agencies across New Mexico are joining the city’s SAFE At Work initiative
Eck optimistic about a more traditional format for Saturday’s spring scrimmage
President Trump’s recent endorsement of GOP candidate adds intrigue to race
Gunman fired through a door striking woman with three gunshots
Players spent time doing variety of different activities during break
The creation of a public, searchable portal was mandated under a bill signed into law in 2025
State Health officials offer advice on what to do if you or your pet are exposed to the disease
Wildfire west of Sapello remains uncontained as crews work to protect structures
Veteran forward’s game-winning 3-pointer for Air Force in the Pit in 2024 was one of UNM’s worst home losses

source