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NEW MEXICO UNITED

Rennicks helps NM ϼ celebrate USL Cup opener

Forward credits teammate for helping pick best way to enjoy go-ahead goal

Justin Rennicks celebrates his go-ahead goal in New Mexico ϼ's win over AV Alta FC in an USL Cup match on Saturday.
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Justin Rennicks stuck the landing.

Sure, the New Mexico ϼ forward was the one who showed off his acrobatic skills — a backflip after scoring the go-ahead goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win over AV Alta FC in a USL Cup group-stage match opener. But he couldn’t take all the credit.

So, Rennicks made sure to give a shoutout to teammate Kipp Keller.

“We talked about it (this week),” Rennicks said with a grin. “I showed him I could do a backflip and he was like, ‘Why don’t you do that as a celebration?’ ... So I did it.”

Rennicks’ previous backflip experience? Once. During his college career at Indiana.

But with Saturday’s appearance, he certainly deserved to give it a shot.

The forward came on in the 57th minute for Dayonn Harris. Less than 20 minutes later, Rennicks scored on an assist from Niall Reid-Stephen to help ϼ avoid penalty kicks and earn three points in Group 2 of stage play. It was Rennicks’ second goal of the season.


Harris scored the equalizer for ϼ in the 36th minute. Ilias Aoumaich found the back of the net for AV Alta in the 18th minute. Aoumaich was later subbed for Goodwin Antwi with a leg injury.

“It’s one of those moments where a coaching change works out in your favor,” said ϼ manager Dennis Sanchez, whose club returns to USL Championship action with two upcoming home matches. ϼ (2-3) will host El Paso Locomotive FC on Wednesday, May 6 and Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, May 9. 

“We know that Justin can score goals for us. … We knew there were going to be opportunities and then we found the moment to take it.”

And Rennicks made sure to deliver.

That, after all, was the plan.

“Rennicks is a dog, man,” said keeper Kris Shakes, who finished with two saves, both in the first half, and an alleged backflipper as well. “This guy has two goals now this season and I know he’s trying to push for more to help the team win, so props to that guy for working so hard all week and getting the go-ahead tonight.”

Renincks wouldn’t mind providing some more celebratory moments.

Might there be any more post-goal antics in store? That remains to be seen. It’s all about the timing and Saturday’s fit the moment. 

“Depends on how I’m feeling,” Rennicks said. “That was a big game, game-winning goal, so it seemed right.”

David Glovach covers New Mexico ϼ and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X .