So far they are six players deep. The New Mexico United announced their first six players earlier in the week. New Mexico soccer fans are very familiar with two of them.

Forward Devon Sandoval was a star at Eldorado High School. He parlayed that success into a strong career at perennial college soccer power New Mexico.

The 2013 second-round selection of Real Salt Lake spent three seasons in the MLS before bouncing around various leagues. Sandoval is glad to be back in his hometown.

“This is a dream come true for a professional team to be here in Albuquerque,” said Sandoval. “It’s something I dreamed about as a kid.”

Sandoval comes with MLS experience and he knows a thing or two about expansion teams.

“My last three teams, they were all expansion teams, so this is going to be my fourth expansion team in four years so,” said Sandoval. “I will take what I learned and bring it here.”

Josh Suggs starred in high school soccer with Las Cruces High before heading to college at Humboldt State from 2007 to 2010. The United defender played a season with the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS for one season in 2012.

He has spent the rest of his career on a variety of teams and felt it was a no-brainer to return to his home state when he heard the news that the USL was expanding to New Mexico.

“When I found out about the team and found out who the coach was, I reached out right away and just told them I was very interested in coming home,” said Suggs.

So far, his teammates along with Sandoval are Toni Soler, Cody Mizell, Juan Guzman and Austin Yearwood. The New Mexico United will have an open trial for possible new players Saturday at Robertson Field from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.