So what the hell is up with this team? Are we coming back? Dropping down? Taking a year off?

It would seem that maybe the wheels on the Patriots train are coming loose. Despite haveing mediocre to sh!tty teams these past years, attendance was steady and the team didnt seem to be in financial trouble. That changed this season with the disatrous Sun Bowl deal. On the field, things seemed to be gettig better with good showing early on in the season, but that dissapeared as the season went on.

Truth is, I am getting tired of the same crap team, same crap results and the same even crappier players. I hope that someone in the Cervantes camp is feeling the same way. (Hell I hope Cervantes himself feels the same way.) Something has to give around here, management has to take their head out of their a$$ and realize that this formula theyve been using isn't going to work. The climate in American soccer in 1995 and 2004 are totally different. Whereas in 1995 we could get away with fielding a team with locals and old pros who had an edge by being close to the border, in 2004 we can't and shouldn't. American soccer has advanced way too much for this team to pull this kinda of crap.

To me it seems that the success in 1995 kinda ruined whatever chances this team had in terms of future growth. To me it seems that Cervantes thought the Pats would have an advantage by having players with ties to soccer across the river, which would lead to superior teams. In theory this could hold true in 1995 with American club soccer not as advanced as Mexico's where we were getting some of our players. Nine years later, however, there's no way in hell this could happen. Whether some of my fellow El Pasoan soccer fans like it or not, american soccer is becoming more and more organized and competitive. If this team want to become competitive, they have to stop getting these has been and never will bes from across the river and start getting players who are the real deal.

As you can tell I am just sick and tired of the losing and the same stupid crap management gives us every season. I am at the point where whenever I think of the Pat's, I cant hep but laugh at them because of what an absolute joke this team has become to me. I am hopeful that things might change one of these days, but I am not holding my breath as much as I did before.

I realize that this team hasn't been overly horrible, but it still anoys me that we have been getting the same results when I know that it is possible to be a better club. Something has to give around here.

Chuy,
I agree that the quality of play in the A-League has greatly improved over the last 10 years. In regards to the Mexican players, the guys in the early and mid nineties as a whole were definitely a cut above the current complement. Back then, most players were still in their prime and playing in division 1 (or had very recent D1 experience).

I can't get into details about this matter, but rumor mill has it that the Patriots are looking at moving to another city. I am not sure when this would take place, but they are looking.

I have heard the same rumors. It seems that even the players don't know what will happen, but I guess that is nothing new. I for one hope they stay here and can do something to improve but I am not going to hold my breath either.

You have got to be f*cking kidding me?!?! If this turns out to be true, it shows how full of sh!t this team is. I can't freaking believe this.

Not to kick a dead horse or anything, but the management wouldn't really have to go all that far afield to find decent talent...right here in Texas for cripes sake. There are several Texans playing for A-league and MISL up north and out east. SMU churns out pretty darn good players year after year, too. Not all MLS quality but at least A-league decent.

If team is thinking about moving, does that mean selling? Would the owner run a team in a different city? Seems unlikely to me. Where would it move? Only two, maybe three choieces in Texas.

I've actually heard stirrings that there is a group/person in Austin considering developing an A-league team. Only thing is, I'm not sure whether or not this was a joke someone was playing.

My kid has started pre-season with Milwaukee Wave MILS. I'm going up this weekend to see him in pre-season all league tournament. They pull 5-7,000 per game up there.

I read in one of the posts that the league is looking at getting another team for the south. Maybe an El Paso move is part of the plan?

http://www.usldiscussions.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=60;t=000032;p=1#000005

Wait,

I have been out of the loop as far as the Pat's are concerned due to school and work. Before I go off on the Pat's maybe I should get my facts straight.

Are the Patriots (including Cervantes and Princess Diana) actually considering leaving EP and taking the team with them? Or is Cervantes looking into selling the Pat's franchise right to an incoming owner? Or is he just saying so that maybe the Pat's can get some attention?

I was thinking that Cervantes is too hard headed and proud to just pack up and leave. He has already invested too much cash into an El Paso professional team to decide to give it up. Also he is a successful business man who is not about to prove otherwise.

The more I think about it, I think Cervantes is doing one of two things: Either he is saying this to get attention, or (the most likely) he is going to sell the franshice right to someone else, kick back for a while (to make up the money he has lost and to build up his team with El Pasoans) and then come back (hopefully stronger than ever). Unless he has lost his entire fortune on the team, I really don't see Cervantes giving up on pro soccer in EP.

I could be totally wrong, but we'll see whaqt happens.

From what I understand, the Patriots are looking to relocate the franchise to a different city in Texas. Unfortunately, it would not be one of the 2 or 3 cities that JFL99 mentioned. I don't know how much of the current staff would move with the team. I am not sure why the Patriots are looking at this location. I find it hard to believe that they would have a difficult time surviving in this region. I will talk about this more, when I found out something more concrete.

This is interesting. If it's where I think it is, success will depend a lot on who in that city is involved. If the crew I'm thinking of isn't involved, it'll be an uphill struggle because they already run things. If they are, it could be good for the team.

I kind of agree with Chuy, though. Up and leaving El Paso with the money sunk into the practice facility, etc., might be hard.

Then again, there are the youth teams and the youth camps that seem to be going well and are, perhaps, sufficient to fund that practice facility, so who's to say?

So what city then will get the honor of becoming the new home of the Patriots? Let's see if we can narrow it down.



Austin?
Maybe, like jfl99 said, there was talk of a group bringing a team in.

Houston?
Nope, they are an MLS candidate.

San Antonio?
Nope, they are also (apparently) an MLS candidate. (Albeit a very long shot according to officials in one article I read)

Dallas?
Nah, they have the Burn and their soon to be constructed home in Frisco.

Laredo? Brownsville?
Maybe, their approximation (sp?) to the border may help.

If Cervantes is honestly going to move, where is he going to stay, with his team or his factories? If he chooses to move both, either one of these cities may make a good location due to the border. Also they are not as isolated as EP.

Lubbock or Amarillo?
I dont think so, their distance from the border makes them unlikely.

Any other suggestions?

Add McAllen to Laredo and Brownsville.

Also, I would imagine that the city would have to have a hispanic flavor to it.

Even though it's only a rumor, I think I am having more fun with it than I think I should. Either way it goes, it really doesn't matter to me. If they stay here, I'll support the team (players and coaches). (Cervantes and company on the other hand....) If they leave, dont let the door hit your a s s on the way out. Like I said, I just think of this "team" like I do about big mexican soap opera - a f*cking joke.

I'll be bummed about losing my team, but life goes on. (although I might not come off that way in some of my post)

One of the problems with El Paso is that the team is so isolated out there in West Texas. If there were a few other teams in the area it would stimulate rivalries and cut down on travel expenses. It seems like El Paso should be a great city for soccer, but from I have heard on these boards the ownership is not up to the task at hand. If the Pats leave maybe somebody else can step up and start a new chapter for El Paso pro soccer.

Highly doubt it. I really can't think of anyone in the greater EP area who would be willing to spend as much money as Cervantes has already. As much as I rag on him, Cervantes has done some good things for this team that I know other people wouldn't.

Speaking of Cervantes, does anyone know if any of his business entities are the targets of a lawsuit by clothing company Nautica (coincidently the Pat's shirt sponsor this past season)? It appears that there was a place in El Paso (my best guess would be downtown) selling fake Nautica apparel. They even went as far as using the boat logo on shirts and such. Anyone know whats up?

Tim Holt, from the USL was on Soccer Fanatics Radio last night and he said El Paso was going down to the PDL next season.

Hear for yourself: http://www.lcc.edu/channelz/archives/holt.mp3.mp3

Does that fact that it was reported pretty much make it so?

Has the team come out to deny or confirm it?

I guess it's safe to say that with a couple of exceptions, no one really gives a sh!t about the Pat's. Oh well, it was a good run while it lasted. Maybe sometime within the next couple years, EP will once again have an A-League team.

ok...Here is the real deal.....El paso pat's are moving to midland under new ownership so i've heard....So there u go Ms.Chuwy.....

Hey, has anyone noticed that the Patriots board is now on the PDL site? Unless they're going to be running both franchises, I doubt the move to Midland is going to happen. Looks like they're just playing amateur with their local fellas.

Business-wise, PDL is working for more than one team. Just a real bummer that it didn't work at the higher level. My bet is they'll stay at Dudley as long as they can before the zoo moves in and still draw their 1,500 per match. Oodles less money required for travel and players, and the academy will continue to keep the franchise moving.

Best of fortunes to those A-League teams who continue to move forward in the U.S.

Wrong again ms.vox...I believe they are selling the franchise to midland and moving the el paso team to pdl...About the traveling the other teams are pretty far away unless the team is traveling in vans i doubt they'll save money on that...They will save money on the players because they won't get payed because pdl is non profit....

Ah, well SELLING the franchise is something different entirely, isn't it? Now everything's a little clearer. I'm sure the other A-League teams will be left scratching their heads on this one. They have an airport, but Midland-Odessa is even harder to get to than El Paso and is about half a million people smaller.

If the folks who run the Midland Rockhounds team and the Odessa Jackalopes franchise are involved, though, they'll make it work. That's a solid organization with all the connections to local business. If it's not that bunch, though, unless they've got Enrique Cervantes-like money behind it, it'll be an uphill road to sell against , especially if they have to share the complex, even if there are two different fields.

And, Johny-with-one-"N": MS. vox?

Cheesy, dude. Very cheesy.

ya no llores cabron...Este deporte es de hombres... Asi es que vete a la chingada... hahaha.........

Geezus, go away for a couple of weeks and the poop hits the fan big time. Midland? What the heck is there? I doubt if its a soccer hotbed, unless there ain't nothing else to do there...oh, yeah, now I see.

Hey, just look at that Iowa PDL team that wins all the time. Good crowds. Winning team...and the best part..don't even pay the players!!!! A businessman's wet dream.

Patriots are not moving to El Paso. They came here and looked around. Midland has superior football/ soccer/ baseball complex. It is a brand new $35,000,000.00

http://www.visitmidlandtx.com/sections/recreation/sportsattractions.asp

There is no way that a PDL team would bring in 200 spectators per game. Lots of kids play but no one goes to watch. Higschool soccer gets 50 to 100 spectators while football games gets 18,000+

Can we get a proofreader?

I presume you mean the Patriots aren't moving to Midland, correct?

I know better than to judge that complex (which looks good) based on conceptual drawings, but that drawing does beg the question of how wide the pitch is in the stadium.

In a market like the good old Permian Basin, I'd imagine that TV advertising is actually rather affordable. Therefore, I wouldn't compare this to the average HS or even PDL operation. That doesn't mean you aren't right about what A-League soccer would draw in Midland, I'm just saying that the reasons you provide bear no relationship to the true issues.

I'll say that Midland makes no sense to me given the problems El Paso had, and the idea is silly. Now, if the Patriots could have stuck around, and Albuquerque and one or two of Tucson, Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Austin were in the mix, then Midland might have something. I'm not counting the eggs and building the chicken coop, of course.

Sra. Johny,

Si este tu vete, entonces Adios, tienes suenos buenos. Los hombres otros y yo queremos lo mejor pa El Paso. Patriotas en el PDL -- no es, pero este "board" es mas mejor sin ti. Su informacion es como su moda de hablando -- todo es mierda...

...Or something like that.

Paul, maybe as the economy improves other cities (and maybe El Paso, too, again) might take a close look at A-League. But again, if you can pay the nut to get into the league and make money, too, why not?

IF the ownership group for the Midland Rockhounds baseball team and Odessa Jackalopes hockey team has anything to do with this future franchise, it can do well. I've worked around this bunch and they're pros, with all the right connections and advertising buttons to push to make it work. If not, it might be a struggle with the Rockhounds on the diamond next door gobbling up all the ad and ticket revenue.

I also don't doubt PDL might do well here because there won't be that big a roster switch -- most of the players are already local and young and would enjoy playing for a summer regardless of pay. Patriots have a loyal enough fan base to probably draw similar crowds, too. Even so, I hope someday to be hearing some smack from Portland on those diving dogs from El Paso. (We'll make opera fans of you yet!)

Thing is, Midland does well in the TEXAS League, and Odessa's rivals are San Angelo, Lubbock, Amarillo, Austin, and Corpus among others, right? It's the scope that concerns me here.

Put it another way... many corporations are showing more profits right now, but not from an improvement in sales, but a reduction in costs. El Paso had some rather serious cost problems, which is very much why they're supposedly going with PDL.

Obviously, I want to see someone have a go and do well. As things stand now, though, if I were an investor, I'd ask the Rockhound and Jackalope folks to help me in Boise rather than in Midland. Well, if I were an investor, I'd ask about Spokane or Victoria first.

Pitch is 120 X 70, artificial grass, but permanently lined for both football and soccer. Soccer is not a sport that sells to spectators in Midland. Numerous attempts have been made to bring in semi-pro and professional teams to play with dismal results. The Patriots participated in a "charity tournament" last year vs. a team from Chihuahua and the event drew a dismal 300+ spectators. BTW: they had agreed to show up again this year but canceled at the last minute.

I was privy to the meeting when El Paso came to check out the Midland possibility and the Rockhound/Jackalope organization was not involved. I have even broached the idea with a lower management type at the Rockhounds who says not interested in promoting soccer at this time.

MIdland is not getting the Patriots in the forseeable future. BTW: How did that rumor get started.

For me, via this website; but I had heard discussions prior to this past season from former GM Mitch Doblado about somebody in Midland offering an invitation.

I wondered if the Rockhounds/Jacks would be involved since they have a number of irons in the fire already. With them, I don't doubt they'd make a serious go, but expenses are a pain and they would be legion. Come to think of it, that, on top of managing a successful minor league baseball franchise would be a little much to ask.

I didn't need to hear that the old team will probably still be seen on the pitch playing for no pay, even though I thought it might be a possibility. Exactly what does that say about the old team? Exactly.

It doesn't say much except restructure. Look, being a franchise owner is not easy. First of all, you are to back your team up no matter what. El Sr. Cervantez is searching for everyones benefit as a whole... he knows how to deal with situations like this one... he's a veteran. Besides, we saw how you all turned on him after the 4th round of the U.S. Open Cup... why keep A-league Fran. with that kind of support? Trust me, the man means well. He's looking out for the sport of soccer. God Bless everyone involved in this sport. It's our purpose to make it work.

You've got to be kiddin' me when you say that going to PDL from A-league with same players is nothing more than "restructuring". :rolleyes:

It does say a lot about the team in the last couple of years or at least this past year.
If the team had been a viable team, there would be very few players hanging around to play for free. They'd either be snatched up by other franchises or they'd take their soccer balls and go try out for other A-league teams or heading south into Mexico to the pro leagues instead of staying home and living with mom and dad, working at WalMart and playing soccer on weekends...we call that the Adult Men's Sunday League here.

Oh, yeah, sorry, that's what the past two FAILED A-league teams here in San Anonio were.

I give credit in many ways to the EP owner and I believe most everyone does here, sometimes too much loyalty, but loyalty does not mean that fans may not have "problems" with what's going on in certain areas. For one thing, it shows they have a concern for the welfare of the team.

Most of those on the board did support the team by attending games week in and week out, win or lose..for years. Chuwy is one of them and he's on a tight budget.

Plenty of team owners spend big bucks; some even buy championships. Look at the Yanks. However, throwing money at something is not always the answer. Look at the Yanks who are now behind 3-2 with a payroll something like $170 million MORE than the Marlins.

The Marlins are low paid players who are over achievers but I bet they wouldn't play for nothing next year if the Marlin management said we're going to restructure and become the baseball equivelant of the PDL. And I bet virtually every player on this current team would be picked up by another.