(See the archived video here!)

The El Paso Patriots made a clean sweep of the Houston Leones with a 1-0 win in front of 1,107 at Patriot Stadium Saturday.

The two wins vault the Patriots (2-1-2, 8 points) to the top of the Mid-South Division table while Houston (1-3-0, 3 points) drops into a tie with Baton Rouge for fifth place in the rugged Mid-South.

With their backs against the wall, credit goes to , which fought like their namesake. Though Patriots head coach Miguel Murillo threw his entire bench into the mix to jumpstart El Paso’s offense, Houston stood its ground for all but a 30-second stretch five minutes into the second half.

Trying to control a deflection by the Patriots defense after a Houston corner, allowed El Paso midfielder António Barrera to take a chop at the ball near midfield. The bounce found forward Richard Abrego, who turned and found a wide open path straight to goal.

Abrego launched himself into open space, leaving the defense behind him. As Houston keeper Vladimir Jauregui came off his line to challenge, Abrego nudged his shot under the goalie’s left arm and into the back of the net for the only goal of the night in the 50th minute.

Abrego, who plays collegiately at UNLV, tallied his first goal of the young Premier Development League season, becoming the fourth Patriot to score through El Paso’s five matches.

Patriots goalkeeper Sebastián Narvaéz earned his third clean sheet of the season, tying him with Laredo’s Ryan Cooper atop the PDL’s goalkeeper standings.

El Paso will enjoy an off week before resuming their season May 17 for their third straight match against , this one at Soccer World Center in Richmond, TX.

The Patriots will provide archived video replays of all Patriots home games, in addition to live video webcasts. Live or archived, click on the link provided at www.elpaso-patriots.com. KLAQ/KROD’s and MetroSports Southwest’s Duke Keith calls the action.

Fans can check up-to-date scores, standings and stats at http://pdl.uslsoccer.com, as well as check up on the Patriots at the team’s website, www.elpaso-patriots.com.

Also, check out the El Paso Times Soccer Mania section for the latest Patriots news, features and game stories at www.elpasotimes.com/soccermania.

I was unable to attend the games this weekend but two greta results for the pats. I heard that Houston was pretty good and even dominated the majority of the first game.

They dominated stretches, but the best possession belonged to El Paso. I would say Saturday's second match was Houston's best.

Even with a line-up featuring lots of new college players, the skill on the ball for the Patriots is still pretty obvious. The difference seems to be that the Patriots have some beef and speed to go with that skill. Saturday, the speed was there, the quality possession wasn't, but they still shut Leones down and won.

They're just now getting all the college guys in for the summer. We'll find out a lot when they go back to Houston next weekend.

Hey vox it seems that the patriots do have a lot of new guys. I did not recognize one name from the roster. What happened to Carlos Dominguez, Omar Mora, and Carlos Moro Martinez, and Morin has been getting little or no PT

There are a number of good ones left from last season -- Ariel Chavez, Antonio Barrera, Mario Garcia, Omar Tena, Esteban Palacios, Hugo Samano -- just to name the ones I can think of. They all played last weekend, too.

I think Mudo's been bugged by a nagging injury -- he hasn't looked himself. I don't know about Mora and Dominguez. I haven't seen them around, frankly.

Yeah, they beefed up the defense -- Jamie Cunningham looked strong at center back, for one, and Narvaez looked pretty good in goal. Both Miguel Murillo and new GM Alan Oatsvall have recruited the colleges hard to glean good talent, and now that they're all in for the summer they've done well (2-0 with the complete team).

We'll see if they can continue to improve now that they're all practicing together.

Hey Vox,
There is no consistency in the Patriot Program. I know you are always optomistic but el10 does have a point. As for Omar Tena, as I predicted he was Indios USA last season and now Patriots what a hypocrite. Last season, they were better than the Pat's. He was not a Pat last year. Esteban nor Antonio had much play time last season. Rumor has it Coach and GM are not getting along and Coach has been frustrating and turning away the old players. He has been making excuses saying he has a plan and the players previously with Pats do not fit in his big picture. He must not read nor understand people. What is Mr Cervantes thinking allowing this guy to mistreat players dedicated to the Jersy and the community. With no consistency from last year to this year and a coach with a big head, things do not look so good for the Pats. Look at the schedule and see how many games they have played as compared to the other teams. The only player that is still playing as much as last year is Samano. Mudo played hurt last season as well. I hate to sound negative but we are already off to a bad start. The trouble with starting over is that we are not building on last years strenghts....Too bad...What is this about the assistant coach being some HS coach from New Mexico? Talk about scraping the barrel. There probably must not have ben a big investment going into coaching this year. We will have to wait and see.

I agree with you epsoccerfamatic, how do u completly change a team from last year that beat Miami (USL-1) and lost 1-0 to Charleston, and made it to the playoffs. All it needed was a couple of players in certain positions, not a whole new team. I believe Omar Mora and Carlos Moro Martinez, and Kiki Cervantes are the only ones that are left that played USL-1. You just dont get rid of them or the other players that had played PDL for some college players, some that are not even playing D-1. Yeah i heard the assistant coach was a girls coach before.

The intended purpose when the Patriots dropped from First Division to PDL was to identify four or five El Paso players who could help the team make it if and when they jumped back to USL1.

Well, I've been the monkey's uncle when it came to saying the jump back to USL1 was going to happen and I could certainly be proven wrong here. But here are my two cents when it comes to this.

It's been five years since the drop to PDL -- wouldn't you think those four or five players would be identified by now? Meaning: It's been five years and nothing much changed, except that Frias and Andrade and Larrosa are all gone. And if things don't change they grow stale. Instead of playing for the shirt, SOME on the team played like that shirt belonged to them regardless.

It's my understanding now that there was an issue with Mora and Dominguez telling the staff at the last minute that they would not be traveling with the team to Louisiana.

I will agree that the start is horrible and it's in part because of the college talent -- but it's because that college talent wasn't here to practice with team, and some weren't here yet because they weren't done with school. It's certainly a decision the Patriots have to live with. The Open Cup run was over before it began.

However, both of the wins came with the full complement of college players.

The coach and GM get along fine. The GM hired Murillo who has an "A" coaching license -- to my knowledge, a first for any Patriots coach. As for the HS coach, I don't know -- what were Chuy's and Chava's coaching certifications? They were pretty good but I don't think they had any bonafides, either. Plus, I don't think Chuy or Chava ever even had an assistant, just the trainers.

Yeah, I'll make no bones about it -- I like the shake-up. Check my posts in the past: You'll find I talk quite a bit about the technical ability of El Paso players, but that they've always needed an infusion of American talent to make it work, especially bigger defenders.

It all worked in 2005 -- the older pros were well-compensated ringers. But sometimes those old pros from south of the border didn't care too much to be here. The new guys are college players who want to be seen in this country rather than looking at a season in the U.S. as being in exile. It's "our" soccer, not "their" soccer, and my bet is these kids will work hard to get noticed. That said, it is a bet.

I could be wrong, but as I've been saying in this thread, we'll find out a lot with this road trip.

I agree with a lot of what u have said vox. The one thing i dont understand if u have about 5 players from last years team that left for college soccer, like Eddie Bilbao, Adrian, Hector, and Victor, sorry i dont know their last names, then they should have had a chance to play with the team again. These are EP players that now dont have a place to play for the summer. I wish them luck this weekend

When things change, some loose ends get left unnoticed, so not getting those college players from here might be a shame. I don't know how aware everyone is of all the El Paso talent out there. The city does have it. Hopefully, now that the Patriots combined their academy with Murillo's, the program could be stronger than ever if they're given a chance and those who deserve a shot will get one, especially local kids.

The intended purpose of Indios Juarez was to have an affiliated club, in under 4 years, they are a Division 1 soccer team which means they will be making and spending more money. As I understand it, the Pat’s stepped down because playing at that level was too costly and the community was not behind the idea of pro-soccer.

The recent losses are a direct reflection of more mismanagement period. You claim that the college talent was not here to practice? Everyone else's college talent was out finishing their college year yet they are doing better. Yeah Murillo has a class “A” from where? I would be surprised if it is a USSF license thus the examination and licenser are not as strict south of the border. As for Chuy and Chava, they had physical trainer and not a buddy helping that is why hey did better. It might be a better idea to get a trainer than a guys buddy to help out with the team.

As for El10 message, you are right, what happen to the players you mentioned? As I understand things, Eddie played D2, Adrian D3, Hector D1, and Victor NIA all son’s of El Paso and all were turned away by coach. Hmm makes you wonder, what was he thinking? They all got plenty of play time at the collegiate level yet rumor has it, were turned away when they got home. They grew up in El Paso, everyone knows who they are and they are not given an opportunity because they were away at college getting an education.

The player being overlooked or as stated “loose ends,” was deliberate. The organization knew they were out playing for their schools yet the ignored them. It is really tragic since all the players el10 mentioned have trained with and played with the Patriots in the past yet the organization whether oversight or malicious act let them and the community down and they were not given a chance. What makes you think Murillos kids will have one? The organization does not support their offspring as seen by this seasons fiasco. What goes around comes around and the current results reflect as much.

Look in the stands guys, for an organization who would like to fill the stands, the Patriots are doing things bass ackwards. The recent losing streak reflects not only mismanagement and burning of players, but also the lack of idea coach and his assistant have. I guarantee you that there are better players out there, but they will not wear the Patriot Jersey or have been turned away and the community is aware of this and will not support the Patriots so they will not purchase tickets, sit in the stands eat and drunk concessions.

How is it possible that Indios have done so well in less time? They run a better program, and know soccer franchising. They will be making some money and will be able to afford better players and facilities. We always hear how the Patriots are the oldest franchise, blah blah blah. Years and years of the same. Sorry, I really looked forward to this season but the level and commitment are not there, Here is an idea, send people to FC Dallas or Dynamo to figure out how things can be done right for next season since we are almost done this season.

Congrats to Austin, I doubt it is luck that has them in first.

Why bring up Indios? Apples and Oranges comparing soccer in the U.S. and Mexico.

The move down was a question of money -- they were spending money but getting no results -- but they did want to identify those players, and the design has always been to move back to First Division.

I have to say, the front office is more well-run than it ever has been, so hopefully the money issue won't be as big a deal as it was in the past.

Do you know the players you talked about wanted to play summer ball with Patriots? Were they left off or never called? I don't ask just to make a point, but I'm assuming you and el10 might know, or find out for certain.

Yes, it is very different this season. The system is designed to create offense, but there has been precious little. Hopefully, four straight home games will help right the ship. This team needs to score. I think it's capable, but it hasn't happened.

Apples and oranges? Actualy I was comparing time, goals and sucess of a young franchise. Indios just won the D2 chapionship in Juarez and are moving up. It has taken them approximately 4 years. I was not implying that PDL compares to pro teams. As for knowing the players, sure, I read the paper, I google the schools and yes most of the ones mentioned are what is commonly known in the El Paso are as "cascaras" meaning they play where ever they can and pretty much all the good players know each other from different leagues.
I agree the Pats need to score. I also agree with the statement you previously made about the previous ringers. The talent is here.