VS.

Saturday, April 20
@ historic Dudley Field
7:35

Yes I realize it is rather early to start this thread, but oh well. I want the darn season to start already.


After a rather good showing in their 2-0 loss to the Galaxy at the Sun Bowl, the Patriots get ready for a new beginning. For the second year in the row, the Patriots have the honor of welcoming the league's newest team. Calgary F.C. begins their run in the A-League here in EP just like the Timbers did last season. More to come....

* That reminds me, I should call the Patriots to request media credentials....

So far, CFC has lost 4-0 to the Colorado Rapids. Game was played in Colorado in front of about 3,011 fans.

Chuy!

Good to see you back. Hope things are going well and we'll see you at Dudley Field soon enough.

Glad you enjoyed your Buzzards game. Hopefully there'll be a few more before the end of the season.

It might not be very important to some of you, but the uniforms the team wears are to me. If the exhibition is any indication, the Pat's will go Real Madrid on us -- they will wear all white kits at home this season.



I personally don't like it but oh well. As for away kits, it seems they will wear the same ones as last year. They are the blue Umbro ones they used a couple seasons back as their home kits.

I wonder why all of a sudden we no longer wear blue at home? Ever since I have been paying attention to the Pat's, we have worn blue at home. (exception being last season) Can we please get rid of Umbro? I don't really like them much, although they did a freaking good job with England's World Cup kits. How 'bout we get a new company? Too bad adidas signed an exclusive agreement with Pittsburgh. I would like to say we should try to get Nike back, but with the [sarcasm]nice[/sarcasm] job they did with the WC kits, I would say no. How about Atletica, they have done a good job with the Burns kits? (not to mention with the MNT and various FMF teams) I particularly like thier new all black 3rd kit.

C.D. Zacatepec Update In case many of you have forgotten, the Patriots lent out 3 Hometown Stars to Mexican 2nd division Club Depertivo Zacatepec. The team is coached by former Pat's DT, Carlos Bracamontes. To tell everyone I have no idea if the three players, Jose Lomeli, Omar Mora, and Luis Macias, are still over there. However what I can say is that C.D. Zacatepec is in first place of it's group and in fourth place overall. Through 17 games, the team has won 8, lost 4 and tied 5 with 25 goals against and 27 in favor. Maybe someone (duke? jerr?) can update us on how they are doing.

Don't know if I'll get in trouble for doing this, but oh well here it goes. The ad for this Saturday's game that appeared in this morning El Paso Times.

I guess the Pat's are going after people's patriotic side to get them out to the game.

I'll refrain from saying anything.

I actually think it might make for a great atmosphere tomorrow at the game. It also is a good way for the Pat's to make up for their lack of a 4th of July game this season.

Well as far as a scouting report for CFC, I have been unable to find a place that has their preseason results. I found a roster of the team, most of the players are back from last year PDL finals team. In case El Pasoans don't know, Calgary moved up from the PDL this season. This season will see the club make their A-League debut, in addition to the PDL team trying to repeat the success of last year. Calgary F.C. really is an f.c. -- they have a team in the A-League and the PDL, in addition to youth squads. I can only hope that one day the Pat's do the same.

Thanks for the game info. I hope to make it with my wife and 11 month old son. I will be graduating this may and off to graduate school in Delaware. The closest A-league team is Pittsburg (BOOOO). But I will have D.C. United and the Metrostars within an hour drive. I do not know how many games I will get to this year, but I am excited for this season. Something tells me that this should be a good year. Plus Calgary's keeper is going to be moving to England soon, we will get a chance to see a really good young keeper, but not too go I hope!

Hey kids,

Just to let you know, Calgary's keeper, Lars Hirschfeld, is already in England, he is currently one of the backup keepers for Tottenham Hotspur in the EPL. He is TOO good. Alas, he will not be in El Paso, seeing as the EPL season is not yet over. Nonetheless, Calgary's backup, John Hawreliak, is a fine keeper in his own right (and I hope he shuts the door on ya' - sorry )

Calgary will be without two other players, due to National Team commitments. Both Chris Lemire and Waldemar Dutra will be wearing the Maple Leaf in Germany and will be unavailable for the El Paso road trip.

Could somebody please post a quick match report here after the game on Saturday. The StormChasers back in Calgary would greatly appreciate it.

Cheers.

If you need any more info regarding the eventual victors of the Saturday tilt, feel free to visit our website at http://members.tripod.com/stormwatch2001/ and the fan forum at http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/121256

Rob,
Congrats on you immenent graduation! Good to hear that you will pursue more education. I wish you and your family the best of luck in Delaware. Until then, I hope to see you at a lot of this season's Patriot games. I have to agree with you that I too feel like we have a good squad this season. Hopefully we'll make some noise in the A-League this season (for the right reasons)

Cooks,
Welcome. Looking forward to a good match tonight.

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Finally, Patriots soccer has come back to El Paso"

None of you have any idea how much I have been looking forward to this day. Even before I first got hold of the Pat's schedule or went to the Pat's exhibition against the Galaxy, I have been really looking forward to Patriots soccer. In my mind there is nothing better to do on a Saturday night in El Paso around spring/summer than El Paso Patriots soccer.

Being under the lights, being around fellow soccer fans, seeing the beautiful El Paso mountains in the background, enjoying the (almost) always beautiful EP weather, trying to get an autographed ball, having to put up with that god awful song the teams plays as they kickoff (But I think I wouldn't have it any other way), looking at the sometimes good-looking cheerleading squad and having a good time is what Patriots soccer is all about.

Here we go......

Game day
Calgary F.C. vs El Paso Patriots
2002 A-League Season Opener
7:35 @ Dudley Field

Weather
Saturday during the day, mostly sunny. Wind expected by the afternoon. High around 82F. Winds SW 15 to 20 mph.

Saturday night, mostly clear skies. Low around 51F. Winds WNW 5 to 10 mph.

Tickets
Don't forget to stop by at any Goodtime Stores or Westcoast communications for the $2 off Coupons

What the Newspapers are saying
E.P. Times: Patriots Open Season Tonight
I'll keep looking to see if I find anything from the Calgary 'papers.


I am a happy man.
Hope to see all the El Pasoans who read this at the game.

WooHoooooo!
3 hrs. 'til kick off!

Anyways, forgot to mention that the $2 dollar off coupons will be valid all season long for regular season games. Goff job Patriots. I think I am going to go to the Goodtime store again to get more coupons for the rest of the season.

:p :p
Calgary F.C. 0
E.P. Patriots 4

Best Patriots game I have seen in a long time. As for Calgary.......hmmmm.......um........ you guys have nice uniforms. If our forwards wouldn't of been messing around and concentrating(Stewart!), the score should of easily been 6-0. After watching the game, the phrase "chicks dig the long ball" came to mind. The long passes used all night by the Pat's were, suprisingly, very accurate. Or at least when it counted. Wind didn't help much.

You can tell Tita has done a good job thus far. I have never seen an El Paso Patriots team play so well and so together. As far as discipline, this team is very well behaved. I didn't see Olympic worthy diving done on the field like I did last year. Also, the Pat's kept their cool throughout the entire game, even after Calgary's frustration came out. Even though CFC became very physical right after the first goal, none of the E.P. player displayed any of the antics from last season that helped the team become the bud of many jokes from fans around the league. (Especially fans from the Pacific Northwest. You could swear that some of them seem to have this life-long mission of talking sh!t about the Pat's)

I gotta say, I was wrong about Guillermo McFarlane. Memo is the freaking anchor of the defense. I do mean anchore, I don't know what it was (maybe the white shoes) but he looked like he was 7 ft. tall and 300 pounds. Anyways, he had an absoultely great game, along with Terra Fabio and Matt Millett. Jesse Llamas should of taken a lawn chair with him to the goal, that way he wouldn't of been standing around so much (since that is exactly what he did, especially in the first half.)

Midfield played really well. I don't know if Calgary doesn't have much skill defending, but El Paso players most of the time were able to juke out and fake out CFC defenders. Forward did a good job. Mathew Stewart must have been nervous, cause there were a couple touches he messed (IMO) up on due to a lack of concentration.

As for you Calgary fans, there really isn't much I can tell you guys. Your team looked extremely disorganized. I honestly did not see anyone from CFC that stood out. Your forwards were mostly forced to take defensive positions since most of the game was played on you half of the field. Much to my surprise, E.P. won a lot of the balls in the air. Actually I was surprised to see that CFC players really weren't that tall. I expected them to be way bigger. IMHO, I don't know, but you guys have some work to be done. I hope you don't think I am being mean, I am just being truthful. You guys really, really looked disorganized. I expected better especially after I read through the Storm Watchers forum.

Now that I got the important stuff out of the way, now it time to describe the atmoshpere and hoopla from the game.

* Big middle finger to the El Paso Zoo for only having one entrance open to the parking lot. Me and my folks were among many of the fans that had to drive around to find the entrance on Alameda. If my folks reaction is any indication, I am sure not a lot of people were happy about this.

* Another big middle finger to that idiot rent-a-cop who took down the Mexican flag. I have no problem that you took it down. What I do have a big problem, however, is the manner in which you carried the flag off. I don't give a f*ck what country it is, you should show respect. Regardles if it is a nice flag or a chep flag, you never, ever wadd up a flag like if it where your dirty laundry. You should of at least folded it in a orderly fashion. I swear, my folks were so willing to kick that guys arse after they saw him walk aroung with the wadded up flag. I hope they fire you dumb a$$.

* Final big middle finger goes to some of my fellow El Pasoans. People, learn some manners and show respect. I don't care if you are going to pee your pants or the kiddies are getting restless, when a country's national anthem is being played or sung, regardless what country it is, you shut the f*ck up and stand still. :nodding my head in disgust:

* For someone who is involved in the beauty industry, this particular someone really doesn't know how to dress.

* The fireworks sucked yesterday. I guess it was the wind cause I don't 'member the fireworks being so small and unexciting.

* I have to say, that after yesterday's game, I actually do like the all white home kits the Pat's are modeling this season. Very classy.

* FIFA should ban white soccer shoes. Although Memo did look good with the white shoes.

* Cheerleaders did a good job yesterday. Very good squad. Pretty hot too.

* IIRC, that was the first time I had been to Dudley Field in about 7 years. I can't believe I once considered that place to be the most awesome stadiums I had ever been to.

* However, DF was fixed up rather nicely. The benches were replaced, new paint, and a green field were some of the highlights.

* Speaking of the field, if last night was any indication, the Pat's will be a very tough team to beat when they play on a large field like DF. The extra nine or so yards of width made a lot of difference.

* Attendance was close to 3,000.

* Much to my delight, but dismay of my mom, the Rock kids are no more. Or so it seems. Maybe they were out of town or something.

* What is up with the over abundance of red Patriot kits in the souvenir stand?

* Speaking of which, anyone know a way I can get a replica kit of this or last season's home kit? I have some cash coming my way soon, so what better way to spend it.

* Since the souvernir stand has replicas of Mexican team kits, how 'bout they try to get some MLS replica in there as well. Or some international teams.

* Also how 'bout getting larger sizes too. A big guy like me can't fit into one of those shirts.

Sorry Dear,

I asked for a quick match report and vox supplied it. If I knew I was breaking protocol, I'd have thought twice about thanking him for his timely bit of information.

As far as I'm concerned, the first person to get home from the bar and posts the result wins.

Oops, I didn't see that there was a second page to this topic. Disregard the previous message.

Thanks for the match report.

Yes, you spanked us pretty bad and there should be no excuses, but a true supporter always has a few stashed away for such occasions.

Due to the abominable weather in Calgary over the past couple of months, this game was probably the first time that Calgary has stepped on to actual grass since October. They have been practicing on Astroturf for the past few weeks.

As for a disorganized defence, this surprises us in Calgary. We normally are a very solid unit.

Oh well, you thumped us. Just don't let it happen again

Cheers

eh?

Didn't see your second post. Still my post was meant for EP fans. I added that bit about CFC after I read your request while at the reply screen. It's cool vox got the the match report on here as quickly as he did, just my thing was that he would of done it in here. Might not of seemed like it, but not that big of a problem.

Well like I said I was quite surprised myself that the Storm were so disorganized. I read how you and your fellow supporters took pride in you organization. I guess they got a little too nervous. I wouldn't worry, if last season is any indication, El Paso doesn't have much luck in Canada. Hopefully the next three times we face each other, it will be more entertaining.

Good Luck rest of the season.

It was the first game of the season for both teams and it showed.

First half
Patriots pressured Calgary in their own half from the get-go. It payed off quickly as a pesky Matt Stewart stole the ball from a Calgary defender as he tried to shield it for a goalkick. Stewart cleverly went around him, got a foot on it just before it rolled over the goal line, finding Dominic Schell who quickly dished it off to an unmarked Jose Abarca. Abarca shot it near post from 10 yards out, easily beating a surprised Calgary GK.

Patriots had set the tone early. It looked like the beginning of a possible rout as Calgary looked just as lethargic as they had started the game. With the wind at their back, Patriots had most of the ball possession, seeming quite content to take control of the game with their short passing game. Calgary looked frustrated and was resigned to defending only. However, Patriots proved incapable of creating offensive soccer, often sending long balls over Storm defense which Stewart and Schell could not run down as the wind pushed the ball long over the goal line. The only other Patriot scoring opportunity came late in the first half as Dominic Schell finally got behind the Calgary defense, collecting a long ball. He went one on one with the closing Storm GK but Schell hurried his shot which sailed high over the crossbar. This last attempt ended a boring half with little offensive soccer.

Second half
It started the same way as the first. Patriots pushed forward early, mounting most of their attacks down the left flank, where the left-footed Patriot playmaker, Brazilian No.10 Renato Da Gama, showed his talent. He started a nice play which Dominic Schell finished quite well. Schell made a hard run on goal, held off two Calgary defenders, and got off a low shot right before Calgary keeper closed off his shooting angle as he met him at the top of the box. 2 - 0 Patriots. Calgary didn't react. They looked unmotivated, as if in a zone.

The rest of the half was all Patriots which scored another 2 goals to seal off the win. The only clear Calgary chance came from a direct free kick 3 yards outside the Patriots' box but they squandered it when their shot went over the crossbar.

Conclusion
Calgary didn't even challenge a lackluster Patriots team who had the better of a weak team. Patriots were not at full strength either, still waiting for a few injured players and some others on loan to Mexican 2nd division.

Minnesota Thunder will prove to be the real test next week. To be continued...

Moderator's Note: Fixed it to make it more easier on the eyes. Hope you don't mind Mr. Ferry

Welcome back
Hey Mr. Ferry, good to see your input on this. Looking forward to a good season. Couple questions.......What was attendance? Is Salvador Mercado also back? How did our players do over at C.D. Zacatepec? When can we expect our loanees back?

Hey wait a minute, did you just say the Pat's were lackluster? Holy crap, and here I was thinking we were looking really good. Shows what I know [LOL] Good match report Mr. Ferry. Reading it makes me look forward to seeing a full strength squad.

Anyways, here is what the media sources are saying

Calgary Herald:Patriots clobber Storm

Calgary Sun: Texas tornado whips storm



El Paso Times: Patriots quiet Storm to open season

Back to work.