NM United and the Town of Taos team up on new soccer jerseys
By Jeans Pineda
The Town of Taos Tourism and Marketing Department has partnered with New Mexico United on a project melding art, fashion and sports within and beyond the Taos community.
New Mexico United announced the partnership on Saturday March 25 at the annual Black and Gold Bash hosted at Electric Playhouse in Albuquerque in front of a dedicated fan base, revealing the new Visit Taos x New Mexico United Velocity Kit. The turquoise-colored apparel is grouped collectively as “Turquoise Takeover,” which is a celebration of one of New Mexico’s crown jewels.
“The Town of Taos is honored to partner with an organization that believes in the power of community and embraces the unique culture and people of Taos and New Mexico. This partnership allows Taos to share our stories with the rest of New Mexico and the expansive world of soccer. We look forward to 2023,” said Karina Armijo, Town of Taos Marketing and Tourism director.
The promotional video for the “Turquoise Takeover” makes nods toward certain Taos County landmarks, both physical and cultural: Taos Ski Valley, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, The Greater World Earthship Community and the junior varsity Taos Tigers soccer team all make appearances in the under-2-minute promo video. Head coach Hafid Valencia makes a cameo in the video, along with other known Taos residents, and lends his visage on the seller’s website, where he dons a New Mexico United monogrammed hoodie.
Former Taos Tiger Wyatt Lawson Hall, who is now the production manager at Electric Playhouse, produced all the sounds in the video, save for the vocal parts. Hall was asked by someone in the organization if he could make the music for it since he’s originally from Taos.
“I feel so much gratitude. To have grown up in Taos, and to see this imagery, with these people, for this cause and with this organization … this moment in time is unreal to me,” Hall said. “To be included in a project with such a hard-working and talented team will forever be a blessing.”
To check out the Taos inspired apparel: shop.newmexicoutd.com/collections/turquoise-takeover.