New Mexico United v Sunderland AFC

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CHRIS HURST: A MACKEM ABROAD

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https://www.a-love-supreme.com/single-post/chris-hurst-a-mackem-abroad

Chris Hurst is a Sunderland fan who moved to America and works in broadcasting/ coaching in New Mexico. Considering he's not been to a Sunderland game since 2010, it's safe to say he's thrilled about the Lads' US tour!

How does a Mackem end up working at a football/soccer club in New Mexico?

So, to clarify, I am the Director of Coaching for Rio Rapids Soccer Club here in Albuquerque. That is the largest competitive youth soccer club here in New Mexico. The work I do for New Mexico United is more like a side gig. The owner of New Mexico United, well I coached his kid years ago. Apparently when he was watching a session, I made some sarcastic comment to one of the boys. Then when they were discussing who would be their play-by-play and colour commentators years later, he told their guy leading the search to reach out to me. I thought it was a wind up at first, until he called me back a couple weeks later requesting a meeting. So, in Year One I did two games on ESPN+ and all other games on ESPN radio. Now I’m solely on ESPN+ with Tyler Ortega for the English broadcast on TV.

What are you most looking forward to about the game?

Well, I travelled to San Antonio to watch the lads there. That was the first time watching them in the flesh since the 2010 game vs Blackpool (the one where we battered them and lost 0-2 under Steve Bruce). So as a fan, not having to watch SAFSee is huge (sorry Frankie and Danny - no offence intended). The San Antonio game was also the first Lads match for my two girls. My 10-year-old is Sunderland mad. We watch all the YouTube content the club put together, so that’s going to be special. For the game in New Mexico, my girls walked out with the team, so that was very special. I’m looking forward to hearing the Sunderland fans singing in The Lab. Honestly, I’m quite looking forward to talking (or preaching!) about Sunderland. I have a platform so I’m hoping I don’t waste it. There is a lot of interest in this game over here so that’s exciting, but with that comes anxiety! I listen to a few Sunderland podcasts so I’m dreading if I mess something up and get slated on those!

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How do the players feel about playing an English club with so much history and a magnificent fan base?

I don’t have direct access to all the players all the time, but I have spoken to quite a few of them about it, whether it’s while standing pitchside or in the gym. They are all excited about the game. It’s an odd one for both teams as Sunderland obviously are so early in their preseason, it’s all about minutes in the legs. Whereas New Mexico United had a rough start to the season but have really turned it around the last three weeks or so. But they have a game the Saturday after this match so, while I know all the players want a chance to compete in this game, there will certainly be one eye on the league fixture the Saturday following our game.

Tell us about the stadium and capacity where the game will be held…

The game will be played at the “Lab”.The official name is “Rio Grande Federal Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park”, however if anyone needs to get there in an Uber or cab, say the Lab and you’ll be fine. The official capacity is 11,124 but New Mexico United have broken the 12,000 mark a few times. It is a baseball stadium, so fans watching online will see the infield covered in sod at the south end of the field. In San Antonio, the USL club didn’t assign a specific section for Sunderland fans, however New Mexico United did it right and all the Lads fans will be behind the goal just off to one side. We are expecting maybe around 150 of them so hopefully they make some good noise.

What are you looking to get out of the game as it is mid-season for you and pre-season for Sunderland?

NM United will be coming off their first full week of training since their new head coach took over just over 3 weeks ago. Coach Quill took over and the team played Saturday-Wednesday basically for three weeks solid. So, I think this will be a chance for him to really instil some of his ideas without the pressure of three points on the line. Again, I do think the game and subs will be managed based on the league game the Saturday after this game.

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Tell us about the team’s fanbase! How far do they travel?

New Mexico United are one of the best supported clubs in the USL. I know that gets thrown around a lot all over the country, however I think that label is warranted in this case for a few reasons. As some Sunderland fans are finding out, this place is huge! I drove 12 hours to San Antonio as an example, but New Mexico United have travelling fans at pretty much every game. Whether it’s people who have moved to other parts of the country, or fans who travel just for the game, they are always well supported. The more ‘local’ games, (meaning Colorado, El Paso and Phoenix), they have hundreds of fans who travel. Phoenix is a six hour drive, El Paso four hours, and Colorado Switchbacks five hours. Those are the “local rivals”.

How is the Albuquerque community embracing the game?

There is a genuine excitement about the match. I don’t think it will be a capacity crowd, especially with this heatwave we are in right now. I think for the game right now they are forecasting 104 degrees F (40 Celsius), so for the first half at least that will be brutal in the stadium. When the game was first announced, the club put out the video, surprising me, and my phone blew up with people thinking that it was something to do with me (when actually I was one of the last to know within the organisation). Sunderland Til I Die on Netflix has meant there is a lot of interest in SAFC too. I know several people who have become Sunderland fans just because of that show, or at least they keep an eye out for our results and will be in the Sunderland section on Wednesday.

Are the local media and news stations going to be in attendance?

Yes, they will be. There is a lot of interest due to the advertising New Mexico United has done regarding the calibre and history of SAFC. I’ve actually already done an interview for a local TV reporter about the game and the local newspaper as well. But all New Mexico United games are well covered.

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You have your two daughters walking out on matchday with the Sunderland players, what does that mean to them and you?

I’m worried I’m going to be a mess to be honest! It will be a massive goosebumps moment. My youngest is excited just because her older sister is excited, I’m not sure she really understands what’s going on. My 10 year old has her heart set on walking out with Luke O’Nien. I’ve told her she’s walking out front of the group so whoever is the captain, that’s who it will be. I want them walking out the tunnel and her being at the front, for a memory I can share with her forever. I won’t be able to be down on the field when they come out as I’ll be in the booth doing the pre-game broadcast, so I’m disappointed about that. But Mom has been instructed to get lots of photos and videos.

How do you know Pete Showler, who does ALS’ live tweeting on matchday?

Two Mackems coaching in the US! I met Pete through coaching, when I first moved to New Mexico in 2004. He used to come in and work with some of our older club players as an NCAA D1 College Coach and also work for the New Mexico Olympic Development program with our top state players. I learnt he was a massive Lads fan and the rest is history.
 
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Clarke injured? Him and seelt don’t seem to be in the training pics from the open training session, know it was mentioned he had a not before the San Antonio game
 
anybody hanging around to watch this one?

if so, please post where you find a stream (channel numbers might not match up the same for everyone) full name needed.
 
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