NM United bolsters roster after deal with one of its rivals

Charlie Dennis, right, shown in a 2024 playoff game at New Mexico United, will see if he can help the club make a postseason run this year. Mike Sandoval/Journal NMU brings on midfielder Charlie Dennis from Phoenix ahead of USL roster freeze The USL Championship playoffs begin at the end of October. New Mexico United, however, appears eager to make sure it secures the best possible seed well in advance. The club announced the addition of midfielder Charlie Dennis on Tuesday, via loan from rival Phoenix Rising FC. The transaction was retroactive to Monday, the date the USL set its roster freeze for Championship and League One clubs, meaning it will be their final rosters for the remainder of the season. Teams cannot sign new players, make trades or initiate incoming loans or transfers. Clubs also cannot switch a player's active or inactive status. 'Thank you, Phoenix,' Dennis wrote on social media. 'This chapter didn't end the way I hoped or expected, but I'm grateful for the time I've spent here, the teammates I've shared the field with and everyone who has helped and supported me along the way. I will leave with a lot of great memories from both on and off the field. '… I'm excited for the opportunity ahead.' Dennis' arrival is the fourth move United has made since June. New Mexico loaned — with an option to recall — midfielder Marlon Vargas to USL League One side Union Omaha for the rest of the season on June 29. The club then added goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg on Aug. 21 before agreeing to part ways with defender Will Seymore three days later. United currently occupies the top of the 12-club Western Conference table despite being tied with El Paso Locomotive FC with 40 points each thanks to any tiebreakers. New Mexico has nine regular-season matches remaining. Locomotive has seven. United (12-5-4), however, can build a little distance with a win or tie over Indy Eleven (8-8-5), which sits seventh in the East, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Maybe only temporarily. El Paso (12-7-4) plays at Louisville City FC (9-8-6, 6th in the East) at 5 p.m. Saturday. Phoenix, meanwhile, is still fighting for a playoff spot. Rising sits ninth in the West with 30 points, one behind Lexington SC. Phoenix hosts Tulsa FC (36 points, 4th in the West) at 8 p.m. Saturday. Only one Championship club has clinched a postseason berth — Tampa Bay Rowdies, which not only is the top team in the East, but leads the entire league in points with 48. David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.