Three games in four days.

Matchday 3
May 9
@
6:30
Foothills Park

Matchday 4
May 11
@
8:00
Memorial Stadium

Matchday 5
May 12
@
8:30
Swangard Stadium

It appears none of the games will be webcast.

El Paso is in second place in the Pacific Division, while sitting in 6th place overall with 6 points. So far we are unbeaten with 1 win and 1 tie. That can change if last year's road performance is any indication. Hopefully El Paso's behavior on the road will change with the new coach.

Calgary has 1 win, 1 loss. They are in 4th place in the division and 13th place overall. Their loss came at the hands of the Pat's in both team's season openers. They came back and rebounded in their next game however, beating Minnesota (a team we were only able to tie.) They have scored 1 goal while having 4 against.

Seattle is currently the Pacific Division leader. They are also in 3rd place overall. Both wins come against (I think it is safe to say) their biggest rival, Portland. One game was at Memorial while the other was at PGE. Seattle beat the Timbers by a combined score of 6-1(4-1, 2-0). They have scored six goals in favor while only allowing 1. They are the Pac's division highest scoring team.

Last but certainly not least, Vancouver. The Whitecaps are currently in 3rd place in the division and 12th overall. They have only one game under their belt, a 1-0 win over Minnesota. That lone goal is Vancouver's only one of the season (again, they have only played once.)

Well I wonder how the Patriot's will do on their first roadtrip of the season? With the Pat's still not at full strength who knows what is going to happen.

I do not expect a repeat performance when Calgary and El Paso meet. I can imagine that the 1-0 win over Minnesota really helped the Storm's confidence after their shocking 4-0 loss against E.P. Not sure on the score, but I see Calgary pulling out the win. However, if the Pat's do win a game on this roadtrip, it will probably be against CFC. However, I highly doubt it will happen. CFC, I am sure, wants revenge. I sense that it might be a hard fought game.

As for Seattle, if what I have read from the match reports, I see them taking it to us. Also, if the Pat's behave the way they did last season at Memorial I expect the Sounder's to take full advantage.

Finally Vancouver, I expect another physical but low attended game. (IIRC, it has been said that El Paso's latin style & theatrical antics is extremely unattractive to the Whitecap's fans. Thus the low attendance.) Probably a 2-0 victory in favor of Vancouver. Also consider that this will be the Pat's second game in as many nights.

If you mean low attended, it will probably be around 5000........that's low for us. It doesn't really matter who the opposition is.... the local fans here don't go to games based on the opposition. If it's a nice evening (and the last few have been good), then you'll get the 5-6000 range....also it's a double-header on Sunday, as the Breakers from the W-League are playing their opener before the Whitecaps.
We won our first game minus 8 regulars and we looked good.....EP willhave a tough time on the trip. Hope they come to play....

By the way, there's no "U" in Swangard Stadium....the name is a local name of a Vancouver Pioneer...Erwin (Irwin?) Swangard.

Matchday 3
Gameday
El Paso Patriots @ Calgary F.C.
El Paso's 2002 road opener
@ 6:30
Foothills Park

Weather
According to weather.com the Patriots can expect a cool evening with a high in the upper 50's and a low in the 'teens. Seems it might be cloudy throughout the day with little wind.

What the newspapers are saying

Calgary Sun: Loss still irks Storm

[img]http://media.canada.com/scripts/locate.asp?id=d6f6fc88-93e8-43f0-a518-a9ba9f381930[/img]
Cagary Herald: Eric Munoz - "We still have a lot to learn . . . but we have potential."

Calgary Herald: Storm players gun for revenge

El Paso Times: In Brief - Patriots begin road trip today
Even if it is in the "In Brief" section, the Times mentioned something about the Pat's upcoming roadtrip. They usually just write something after the games have happened.

The so-called Latin style and theatrics should ensure that El Paso finishes every game with <9 men, if the coward zebras would actually book the springboard divers on the team. Perhaps with the upgrades in the team, this will change. Vancouver will still be shorthanded but will have more punch than against the Mighty Blunder.

There's no netcast, but in El Paso/Cd. Juarez it will be on the air in Spanish on Linea 1420AM.

This road trip's going to be tough for El Paso, but I can't say enough about the defense I've seen thus far. Patriots have been challenged and have risen to each challenge -- thus far. In the back Sidnei dos Santos is Mr. Timing, he and Fabio Terra win ball after ball, and Terra seems to find good targets upfield. Guillermo McFarlane is just hard-nosed and nobody wants near the guy. He looks to be in great shape, too. Freddy Juarez still comes in hard at defensive midfielder, but so far has played under control.

If the Pats can keep their cool I have no doubt these games can be low-scoring affairs. It's a well-drilled, in shape and more disciplined team than I remember seeing at any time.

My biggest doubts lie in the offensive third. The Pats still need a presence up front. If any of these teams let them play their shell game (Schell game?), it'll open up a few opportunities. But if these teams close 'em down, are good at shutting off the passing and challenge physically, El Paso has big problems. This team needs a possession forward, preferably one with height. Michael Griego will eventually fill this role, but he's out until August (knee surgery). The chips are down on the road where the Patriots haven't won a match since...?

I think we'll find out a lot about this team this weekend and see who steps up.

ohhh, Ohhh! Only three games this season, and we already have two of them end in scoreless ties. Well at least we can say that our defense has not allowed a goal.

On to Seattle........

Matchday 4
Gameday
El Paso Patriots @ Seattle Sounder
@ 8:00
Memorial Stadium

Weather
According to weather.com the Patriots can expect partly cloudy skies with a low around 45F. Light ENE winds.

What the newspapers are saying
Nothing. However I did find this news release from the Sounders' website.

Seattlesounders.com: Sounders Off to 2-0 Start, Face El Paso On Saturday Night