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Jun. 5—Saturday: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at New Mexico United, 7 p.m., Radio: 101.7 FM; TV: KASY (English), Estrella (Spanish); Streaming: KRQE.com, ESPN+
Football is life, you say? Mukwelle Akale can relate as well as anyone.
New Mexico United's ultra-talented winger has effectively lived the game of soccer for nearly all of his 28 years. He grew up with it, has seen the world because of it and hopes to stay involved with the game long after his playing days conclude.
The latter chapter won't begin anytime soon. Akale is off to a sizzling start for United this season, leading the club in assists and chances created across all competitions. He also ranks second to defender Talen Maples in minutes played and has scored goals in back-to-back matches — including an eye-popping free kick into the upper right corner in last week's 3-3 draw with Phoenix Rising FC.
"I practice that every day," Akale said of his pinpoint blast.
Injuries to other attacking players have forced Akale to take an increased role for United this season. It suits him fine and, thus far, has worked out remarkably well for NMU.
Going into Saturday's home match against defending USLC league champion Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, New Mexico sits in first place in the Western Conference standings despite having played most of its early schedule on the road.
Just part of the grind for Akale, a Minnesota native whose favorite TV show is not "Ted Lasso," which recently popularized the "football is life" mantra. Instead, Akale takes inspiration from a popular undersea adventure (more on that later) and plans to do whatever is needed to lift United to new heights in his second season with the club.
Your soccer journey has been remarkable. How did it start for you?
"I first got into soccer as soon as I could walk — I was maybe 1 1/2 . I first started playing because my dad came over from Cameroon and he loved soccer. He would hold my hand so I wouldn't touch the ball and just kick it. I fell in love with it right away."
You led Minnesota prep soccer in scoring (38 goals) as a 14-year-old and went on to residence academies in Florida and Spain. What were the best and worst parts of living in residence academies?
"The best part was being able to live with your close friends every day, going to school and training, always with your friends. The worst part was being away from family so young and only getting to really see them maybe twice a year."
Playing with U.S. youth national teams, you traveled extensively. How many countries have you played in?
"Man, no idea. When I was young, my mom started making a map of all the places I'd been. We stopped because it was getting too big, but I had great experiences in South America, Asia, Europe of course and Mexico."
Where is the craziest place you've played?
"Probably Azerbaijan. That place was pretty crazy — and unique. That was the first time as a youth player we had a bunch of kids throwing rocks at our bus. It was a pretty harrowing trip."
New Mexico is the latest point on your travel map. What did you know about the state when you came here?
"When I came back and started playing in the U.S. in 2022, that's when I started researching more about the USL. I heard about New Mexico and when they reached out to me last year, I saw the amazing fan base and amazing culture they have. Players who have come here have gone on to do great things. It was an obvious choice for me to come here and it's been great."
Your role as a playmaker has expanded this season. What's that been like for you?
"I love being on the ball and obviously it's nice getting a couple goals. I'm a guy that likes being in the final third, attacking and scoring, so whether I'm getting assists or scoring goals, I feel like I'm contributing to the team. There are other ways to contribute, defensively and moving the ball, but as an attacker, that's how you get paid — scoring goals and getting assists."
New coach and some new faces on the roster, but United is back on top of the USLC Western Conference. What's the biggest difference this season and what are your expectations?
The biggest difference to me is our main group had a whole year together and now we're getting to build off that. I think we started strong this year because we know what to expect and know what kind of players we have. (Coach Dennis Sanchez) came in and knew what kind of team he had and how we wanted to play, so he didn't change too much and that helped a lot. Last year we had great year but I feel like our expectations for ourselves should be even higher now. I expect us to do more."
Mukwelle Akale — Quick hits
Family home: Minneapolis
Favorite athlete(s): Ronaldinho, Rafael Nadal (a left-handed tennis player like me), Tiger Woods, and of course, Messi
Favorite team: Barcelona
Non-sports hobbies: Gaming and cooking
Favorite dish: It's an African dish, rice and stew. It's rice, tomato-based stew and you can use any meat. I like chicken. There's probably a proper name but I grew up calling it rice and stew.
Favorite TV show: SpongeBob SquarePants. I think it's the greatest TV show of all time. Good for all ages, trust me. Give it a try.
Plans after soccer? I'm currently getting my sports management degree, so hopefully something in sports management, something behind the scenes.
Anything you're scared of? I really do not like spiders, like the big ones. Even daddy long-legs are enough for me. You know how some petting zoos will let a tarantula crawl on your hand? I will never do that.
Red or green: Green chile all the way
Continue reading...
Football is life, you say? Mukwelle Akale can relate as well as anyone.
New Mexico United's ultra-talented winger has effectively lived the game of soccer for nearly all of his 28 years. He grew up with it, has seen the world because of it and hopes to stay involved with the game long after his playing days conclude.
The latter chapter won't begin anytime soon. Akale is off to a sizzling start for United this season, leading the club in assists and chances created across all competitions. He also ranks second to defender Talen Maples in minutes played and has scored goals in back-to-back matches — including an eye-popping free kick into the upper right corner in last week's 3-3 draw with Phoenix Rising FC.
"I practice that every day," Akale said of his pinpoint blast.
Injuries to other attacking players have forced Akale to take an increased role for United this season. It suits him fine and, thus far, has worked out remarkably well for NMU.
Going into Saturday's home match against defending USLC league champion Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, New Mexico sits in first place in the Western Conference standings despite having played most of its early schedule on the road.
Just part of the grind for Akale, a Minnesota native whose favorite TV show is not "Ted Lasso," which recently popularized the "football is life" mantra. Instead, Akale takes inspiration from a popular undersea adventure (more on that later) and plans to do whatever is needed to lift United to new heights in his second season with the club.
Your soccer journey has been remarkable. How did it start for you?
"I first got into soccer as soon as I could walk — I was maybe 1 1/2 . I first started playing because my dad came over from Cameroon and he loved soccer. He would hold my hand so I wouldn't touch the ball and just kick it. I fell in love with it right away."
You led Minnesota prep soccer in scoring (38 goals) as a 14-year-old and went on to residence academies in Florida and Spain. What were the best and worst parts of living in residence academies?
"The best part was being able to live with your close friends every day, going to school and training, always with your friends. The worst part was being away from family so young and only getting to really see them maybe twice a year."
Playing with U.S. youth national teams, you traveled extensively. How many countries have you played in?
"Man, no idea. When I was young, my mom started making a map of all the places I'd been. We stopped because it was getting too big, but I had great experiences in South America, Asia, Europe of course and Mexico."
Where is the craziest place you've played?
"Probably Azerbaijan. That place was pretty crazy — and unique. That was the first time as a youth player we had a bunch of kids throwing rocks at our bus. It was a pretty harrowing trip."
New Mexico is the latest point on your travel map. What did you know about the state when you came here?
"When I came back and started playing in the U.S. in 2022, that's when I started researching more about the USL. I heard about New Mexico and when they reached out to me last year, I saw the amazing fan base and amazing culture they have. Players who have come here have gone on to do great things. It was an obvious choice for me to come here and it's been great."
Your role as a playmaker has expanded this season. What's that been like for you?
"I love being on the ball and obviously it's nice getting a couple goals. I'm a guy that likes being in the final third, attacking and scoring, so whether I'm getting assists or scoring goals, I feel like I'm contributing to the team. There are other ways to contribute, defensively and moving the ball, but as an attacker, that's how you get paid — scoring goals and getting assists."
New coach and some new faces on the roster, but United is back on top of the USLC Western Conference. What's the biggest difference this season and what are your expectations?
The biggest difference to me is our main group had a whole year together and now we're getting to build off that. I think we started strong this year because we know what to expect and know what kind of players we have. (Coach Dennis Sanchez) came in and knew what kind of team he had and how we wanted to play, so he didn't change too much and that helped a lot. Last year we had great year but I feel like our expectations for ourselves should be even higher now. I expect us to do more."
Mukwelle Akale — Quick hits
Family home: Minneapolis
Favorite athlete(s): Ronaldinho, Rafael Nadal (a left-handed tennis player like me), Tiger Woods, and of course, Messi
Favorite team: Barcelona
Non-sports hobbies: Gaming and cooking
Favorite dish: It's an African dish, rice and stew. It's rice, tomato-based stew and you can use any meat. I like chicken. There's probably a proper name but I grew up calling it rice and stew.
Favorite TV show: SpongeBob SquarePants. I think it's the greatest TV show of all time. Good for all ages, trust me. Give it a try.
Plans after soccer? I'm currently getting my sports management degree, so hopefully something in sports management, something behind the scenes.
Anything you're scared of? I really do not like spiders, like the big ones. Even daddy long-legs are enough for me. You know how some petting zoos will let a tarantula crawl on your hand? I will never do that.
Red or green: Green chile all the way
Continue reading...
