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There was no hiding it. Nor did Kipp Keller try to.
The New Mexico United defender embraced the questions he knew were coming. Just like his new look. After all, why not?
Gone was Keller’s usual straight blond hair. In its place? Some tightly-braided cornrows.
“I love it,” Keller said with a grin Friday. “(The hair is) out of my face. It’s good for headers. It’s more aerodynamic, you know?”
We’ll take his word for it. He is, after all, the one with the experience.
Keller had opted for cornrows during his college days at Saint Louis and decided it was worth trying again. So, he did the sensible thing. He scheduled a hair appointment earlier in the week.
It took four hours, which proved to be difficult at times for someone who, by his own admission, lacks patience. Keller opted to whittle away the minutes watching a Connor McGregor documentary or listening to music.
“It is a little itchy,” Keller said, feeling the braids. “And I wear a doo rag at night.”
Someone, who remained unnamed, provided one. But hey, maintenance is key.
Still, it was worth it. Not only for Keller. His teammates and coaches, too.
“I’m supportive of it,” laughed manager Dennis Sanchez, whose club hosts Orange County SC on Saturday. “… We take a very collective approach, but I think it’s very important to allow individuals to feel themselves within the group. Whatever makes him happy.”
Well … most were supportive.
“Can I say something?” Keller asked while looking at fellow defender Chris Gloster.
Please do.
“He was one of three, actually, in the locker room that was like, ‘Jeez, weird head shape,’” Keller said. “I’m like, ‘All right. Super supportive.’ But then he came around.”
Gloster, of course, had his defense ready. Sometimes the price of being a good friend means keeping things real in the moment.
“I also think, me as a teammate and as a friend, I wouldn’t want to just be a yes man of, ‘Yes, it looks good. Yes, do this. Yes, do that,’” Gloster said with a smirk. “You know, there has to be some honesty in a friendship. So I’m not just going to tell him it looks good (if) I truly don’t think so.
“... I’ve come around and it’s growing on me. It’s new, so it’s going to take a minute.”
But disappointing? That never came up.
There’s just the matter of whether or not Keller will be keeping his new look long term.
“There’s a mix of people that love it and some people don’t like it,” Keller said of cornrows. “I don’t know if I’m keeping it though. My parents just got into town. I don’t know if they support the look or not, but I guess we’ll see later today. I’m getting lunch with them.”
If the braids do stay, Keller has at least one important supporter in his corner.
“So far, I’ve said yes,” Sanchez said. “He should keep it.”
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
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The New Mexico United defender embraced the questions he knew were coming. Just like his new look. After all, why not?
Gone was Keller’s usual straight blond hair. In its place? Some tightly-braided cornrows.
“I love it,” Keller said with a grin Friday. “(The hair is) out of my face. It’s good for headers. It’s more aerodynamic, you know?”
We’ll take his word for it. He is, after all, the one with the experience.
Keller had opted for cornrows during his college days at Saint Louis and decided it was worth trying again. So, he did the sensible thing. He scheduled a hair appointment earlier in the week.
It took four hours, which proved to be difficult at times for someone who, by his own admission, lacks patience. Keller opted to whittle away the minutes watching a Connor McGregor documentary or listening to music.
“It is a little itchy,” Keller said, feeling the braids. “And I wear a doo rag at night.”
Someone, who remained unnamed, provided one. But hey, maintenance is key.
Still, it was worth it. Not only for Keller. His teammates and coaches, too.
“I’m supportive of it,” laughed manager Dennis Sanchez, whose club hosts Orange County SC on Saturday. “… We take a very collective approach, but I think it’s very important to allow individuals to feel themselves within the group. Whatever makes him happy.”
Well … most were supportive.
“Can I say something?” Keller asked while looking at fellow defender Chris Gloster.
Please do.
“He was one of three, actually, in the locker room that was like, ‘Jeez, weird head shape,’” Keller said. “I’m like, ‘All right. Super supportive.’ But then he came around.”
Gloster, of course, had his defense ready. Sometimes the price of being a good friend means keeping things real in the moment.
“I also think, me as a teammate and as a friend, I wouldn’t want to just be a yes man of, ‘Yes, it looks good. Yes, do this. Yes, do that,’” Gloster said with a smirk. “You know, there has to be some honesty in a friendship. So I’m not just going to tell him it looks good (if) I truly don’t think so.
“... I’ve come around and it’s growing on me. It’s new, so it’s going to take a minute.”
But disappointing? That never came up.
There’s just the matter of whether or not Keller will be keeping his new look long term.
“There’s a mix of people that love it and some people don’t like it,” Keller said of cornrows. “I don’t know if I’m keeping it though. My parents just got into town. I don’t know if they support the look or not, but I guess we’ll see later today. I’m getting lunch with them.”
If the braids do stay, Keller has at least one important supporter in his corner.
“So far, I’ve said yes,” Sanchez said. “He should keep it.”
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
More New Mexico United reading
*
NM United academy players receive their honorary kits
NMU's first team holds ceremony for recent high school graduates
*
Match day: Orange County SC at New Mexico United
NMU looks to keep unbeaten streak against California club intact
*
Taren Wente opted to bet on himself and it paid off with an ACC program
NMU developmental academy goalkeeper set to play his college soccer at Pitt
*
'You want a hot take?' NM United has plenty of thoughts on soccer's biggest event
Players and coaches pick favorites, underdogs, best moments and tournaments heading into World Cup opener
*
Noël finds himself the popular player to seek out after NM United rout
Midfielder scores 1st goal of season in USL Cup win over Phoenix Rising FC
*
Match day: Phoenix Rising FC at New Mexico United
UNM gets rivalry matchup as USL Cup play resumes
*
Hurst believed a 'pretty real talk' was needed after NM United's last match against Phoenix
Club sees plenty of benefits from honest conversation entering rematch
*
NM United sees road draw as 'valuable point'
Coming off longest trip of season, NMU leaves Hartford with some positives
*
Match day: New Mexico United at Hartford Athletic
NMU is capping off three games against top Eastern Conference opponents
*
NM United's road warriors find ways to stay sharp
Ahead of a 2,100-mile trip, players rely on video games and a relaxed routine to unwind and prepare for the match
Continue reading...
