New Mexico United's Kipp Keller Unveils Bold New Cornrow Hairstyle

Kipp Keller, a defender for New Mexico United, is turning heads both on and off the field with his fresh new cornrow hairstyle. The change was deliberate, and Keller welcomed inquiries about his look, showcasing his confidence in this bold transformation.

Gone are the days of his straight blond hair; instead, Keller now sports tightly braided cornrows, which he is enjoying for both style and practicality. “I love it,” he shared with a smile on Friday. “(The hair is) out of my face. It’s good for headers. It’s more aerodynamic, you know?” His personal experience with cornrows dates back to his college years at Saint Louis, prompting him to revisit the style after scheduling a four-hour hair appointment earlier this week.

Despite the itchiness and the need to wear a doo rag at night, Keller is committed to maintaining his new look. His teammates and coaches have had varying reactions, with manager Dennis Sanchez expressing his support. “I’m supportive of it,” he chuckled, emphasizing the importance of individuality within the team. “Whatever makes him happy.”

However, not all feedback has been purely positive. Keller jokingly recalled a moment with teammate Chris Gloster, who initially commented on the unusual shape of his head. “I’m like, ‘All right. Super supportive,’” Keller recounted, acknowledging Gloster's candidness. Gloster later admitted that while he initially had reservations, he is warming up to the new style.

As for the future of his cornrows, Keller remains uncertain. “There’s a mix of people that love it and some people don’t like it,” he noted. He is set to meet his parents soon, whose opinions may play a significant role in his decision to keep the style long term. “I guess we’ll see later today,” he said, hinting at the importance of family support in his choices.

For now, Keller has at least one ally in manager Sanchez, who has encouraged him to embrace his new look. “So far, I’ve said yes,” Sanchez confirmed. As Keller prepares for a match against Orange County SC this Saturday, his new hairstyle is already making waves within the team.