The El Paso Patriots open their 2003 campaign this Friday at the Sun Bowl against the team that bounced them from the 2002 playoffs, the Minnesota Thunder. Two days later, the play again same place, just different time.

The Patriots.............oh, whats that? You didn't know the Pat's where starting the season tomorrow?

Really?

How is that possible? Haven't you read all those stories in the El Paso Times focusing on the 2003 team and season? Oh wait.......

Well surely you have seen all those advertisements in the Times right? Oh wait......

Well the El Paso Times is a sh!tty newspaper anyways. (It really is) You definetly have seen all those advertisemnts around town right on TV and billboards? Oh wait......

Wait a minute, dont you go to UTEP? You don't? So then you definetly have not seen the game announced on the electric bill boards at the University ticket Center or the main one visible from I-10. I thought everyone had seen those. What? Yeah your right, not every El Pasoan drives by UTEP everyday.

Don't worry, I am sure some of the TV stations will have at least have something to say on the game. Oh wait.....

What's that? Yeah I did too. I really thought that since the Pat's had the somewhat decent UTEP special events office behind them, more advertising would be made for this upcoming season.

Well surely you must of definetly seen the countdown clock on the Pat's website. Oh what's that? ..........Yes the Pat's have a website. It finally works too. The only thing is that most of the news on there was originally written in spanish but translated into English using an online translator. Other than that, it is a decent site.....what Oh thats true I never thought about that. Yes it is funny that an organization who is priding itself as being El Paso has their website hosted by a company in Juarez.

I can go on and on...... :rolleyes:

Ladies and gentlemen, the 2003 El Paso Patriots. According to the Pat's website, the team is coming into the season opener with a 2-0 preseason record (they played a college team and some amateur team I believe) For the millionth time, the Pat's will begin the season with a new coach.

Here are press releases from the Minnesota Thunder and the Patriots

chuwy,

man you are absolutely right. Here I thought some of it had to do with me being in Las Cruces and that was why I hadn't heard anything about the season...

Come on guys, help us support your team already.

oh well...good luck to the Pats tomorrow and Sunday.

Gameday
Minnesota Thunder vs. El Paso Patriots
2003 season opener

Press Coverage
a-league.com: Patriots readying for season
Better late than never.

EP Times: Patriots begin 13th year in new venue
Darren Hunt is the only good writer thay have.

Twincities.com: Thunder ponder if they\'re ready for MLS
Not related to the game, but interesting nonetheless.

And finally,

Joe Muench:
Just a few of the things I\'ll do when I\'m elected mayor

Doesnt relate to the game at all, but I found his comment funny. Sadly, such a thing would be more successful than the Pat's.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chuwy9:
[QB] Ladies and gentlemen, the 2003 El Paso Patriots.

Man, you can't say this year's Pats don't have the distinctly local flavor. Only three players on the entire roster (Dos Santos, Pierce and Millan) are not from within 35 miles of El Paso.

Interestingly, it could be argued that those three players are the best players talent-wise on the team.

Wonder how well that bodes for the boys this year. Hope the local talent is outstanding, or it could be a long year.

For what it is worth, Minnesota is doing essentially the same thing. About 3/4 of their roster is from Minnesota. I don't necessarily think that is such a bad thing in the A-League. The Canadian teams did the same thing last year, and although Calgary was horrible the others were very competitive.

Jeff

Yes, most a-league teams do have a degree of local talent, but the Pat's take it even further. The teams tries to have their players from the El Paso/Las Cruces/Juarez areas only. In the case of Minnesota, they seem to have players from throughout the state of Minnesota, not just one particular place. If the Pat's went with Texas talent only, we would have way better quality players and teams.

If you've seen the posts lately about new signings of Canadian teams you've noticed that most of them (virtually all of the last ones) are Canadians.

Let's see...all of Canada.

Let's see...all of Minn.

Let's see, 40 square miles of the largest state in the Union...makes sense to me.

Hello, Jeff Georges

Just to pick a nit here, the Thunder this year have only 10 Minnesotans out of 22 players on the roster, which works out to be slightly under 50%. Reference:

www.mnthunder.com/news/default.asp?id=813

I do think, as you seemed to imply, that a hefty local representation is good for the teams in the league. It helps to form a bond with the community and helps the management to portray a commitment to the community.

Willing to play for any team operating within a two block radius of me, I remain

That little old jersey collector

Me

define "local".

Then, define "shooting yourself in the foot".

Speaking of local "talent", a few years back both Manny Lagos and Tony Sannah were in the Thunder starting 11. They also played on the same local high school team together.

Ah, the good old days. Wish I was there tonight.

Donovan

Thunder 1, Patriots 0

Same bugaboos bite the Pats again in not having an up-front target durable enough to take Minnesota's big boys...Tim Pierce didn't get enough touches on the ball to make an impact, nor did Omar Millan...Kind of hard when you can't get the ball to your forwards with any regularity...Javier Carrasco, an El Pasoan who played up the road at UNM, looks to be a good addition...Playing the right side from midfield, Carrasco was brought on in the 68th and had two of the Pats four shots, including a nifty one-timer on a solid pass...His shot went just over the crossbar...Minnesota's goal comes on a great header from Joe Warren, who got a couple of steps on his marker, took an excellent short cross from Mark Schulte on the right side and put it just inside the right post...1,400 at the Sun Bowl...No flashlights needed, just a good reading lamp as they all sat together...Match report later today...

E.P. Times: Thunder beats Patriots in opener at new venue

elpaso-patriots.com: Box score



mnthunder.com: Stillwater Native Morehead Scores Game-Winning Goal In El Paso

1434?

200?

What is it? It doesnt matter, however, because that is just way too low especially for the Pats. Please dont tell me that the Pat's thought that a move to the Sun Bowl was going to increase attendance five fold automatically? You guys still have to advertise!

Defense looks good. As the season progresses, they will only get better. As usual, however, the Pat's lack a go to guy, like vox said. We'll see what happens as the season progresses, last night was only the first gamme.

I think the truth about attendance was like most truths -- somewhere in the middle. Two-hundred was way too low an estimate and 1400 was number of ticket issued.

The Pats are advertising on both Spanish and English language TV & radio...Some of Clear Channel's stations (Power 102, etc.), on the Fox, Hero Radio, KBNA, KAMA and others. TV I think on KINT and I don't know where else. As for what's up? Who knows?

That is true uhclem. I was actually basing my assessment of their local talent on an earlier article I had read that listed not only where players currently live, but birthplace and college. I used a broad definition of Minnesotan.

I looked for the link but couldn't find it.

Jeff

Great photo of the game winning goal. As a former news photographer (when I was about Chuwy's age..yes, they had cameras back then), I'd been proud of that photo.

BTW, just to "rub it in" a bit.

Two players on the Minn team are Texans. Ferrutzi is from San Antonio and Johnny Torres is From the Dallas area I believe (Plano?). Ferrutzi coached my son on a club team for a season in San Antonio when my son was in high school and Johnny Torres plays for the Milwaukee Wave indoor team as does my son. They also played against each other quite often in their ODP days...and South Texas regularly beat the North Texas squad.

Gameday
Minnesota Thunder vs. El Paso Patriots
6 PM MST
at 200,000 seat Sun Bowl

(Thats true, why do they keep mentioning the capacity of the SB? There is no way they will fill it all up w/ Patriot fans. [Mexican National team or mexican club teams is another story])

This will be the second game between both teams in three days. The Pats opened up their 2003 campaign in front of 17 fans at the 250,000 seat SB on Friday, falling 1-0 to the Thunder. The Pats had their usual problem of not having a go to guy up front. Lets hope we have a better game tonight.

Gameday Press
Didnt find anything from either places.

The El Paso Times didnt write a preview of the game today. I guess since the Pat's haven't bought any advertsing space, hey are not getting press until they do so.

How many players did Minn bring with them since they have two games in three days?
Wonder if teams like Milwaukee will bring 18 instead of "normal" 15 for a road game?

17fans? Really?

2-1 Patriots.

I was kidding about the 17 fans, it looked like it though.

Heat get to Minnesota?

...what teams normally bring 15 players on a two-game road trip?!

League rules state that you can dress up to 18 but must dress at least 14.

I would say that "most" teams bring at least 18 players on a two-game road trip...especially later in the year as players accumulate injuries and card points!

Of course, you may have to take into consideration the travel distances and costs (bus vs. plane).

mnthunder.com:
Thunder Comeback Falls Short In 2-1 Loss At El Paso

EP Times:
Patriots get their 1st taste of victory

elpaso-patriots.com: Box score

565?!?!

WTF is going on? Are the Patriots really a lost cause? I know it only the first two games of the season, but this is depressing. Has the change in venues (3 different venues will have been used at the end of this season in as many yrs.) turned people off. This is not good.

Senor vox's match report for the first game.

Thanks, Chuy!

Second one will hopefully be up later today.

Hey, I'm writing a few of the press releases for the Pats nowadays. Would you mind if I used your shield?

Incidentally, the 510,000-seat Sun Bowl? That's me. I'm afraid it's a holdover from my time with the Sport Info Dept. at UTEP. I'm just used to writing it that way.

I think you'll be happy to know that the Pats and UTEP are joining noggins to try and bring more folks in. I'm not in those meetings so I couldn't tell you anything other than they are happening. I hope it works.

Not at all vox, go right ahead. Good to hear that you will be involved in writing the press releases for the Pat's.

As for bringing people in, I am glad the Pat's will begin to work together with UTEP. El Paso can be among the league leaders in attedance if they do things right IMO.

Looking at the schedule, the Pat's have a game on the 4th of July. I have no idea what they may have in store, but I know the team and UTEP will not let this prime soccer day go wasted. Maybe the restoration of the Amigo Cup? A world class exhibition between top teams would not be out of the question. Only 4 MLS teams will be in action that night, so that leaves 6 to choose from. (United or Dallas would be freaking sweet) In reality we would more likely to see mexican team(s) and even some south american teams. (Wasn't there a exhibition set up a couple yrs ago between the olympic mexican team and san lorenzo of argentina that got cancelled at last minute?)

My dream matchups for an ehxibition in the Sun Bowl would be:
DC United vs. Guadalajara or America
Dallas Burn vs. the same teams
Or the ultimate
El Super Classico
Guadalajara vs. America

I wouldn't like a US vs Mex matchup at the Sun Bowl cause it would be an away game for our boys. I wouldn't want to put up with countless number of idiotic tri fans around here anyways.

Yeah, I agree. A USA/MEX world cup rematch in El Paso would be a zoo. It'd sell that sucker out in a heartbeat, though.

I think UTEP understands the only way they'll ever draw those big exhibitions is through Cervantes. He's the one who knows the money men behind those teams, who, by themselves, would never come here with the fake turf and the football lines. I love the stadium for just about every sport -- I've been to a few and the setting is right up there with the best in the country -- but UTEP really did itself a huge disservice by having the turf people put in the permanent football lines. I don't think they knew it would be such a big deal to some of these big-name teams, but maybe they could've asked around. The Patriots name may not be the first that pops into people's minds, but they do have their connections.

Thanks again for the go-ahead with the shield -- I've always thought it's just real sharp.

I think you are dead on here Vox. It's not what you have, it's who you know.

Mexico had no problem playing Bolivia in Dallas at Texas Stadium in March. The football lines were an eyesore and the players looked confused most of the time, but it was still a fun game. The promoters seemed to have no trouble dealing with Jerry Jones and he even made a very uncomfortable appearance at the game.

Also, the 40,000 fans they drew against a very weak opponent almost assures that Texas Stadium will host another game in the near future. Why not the Sun Bowl?? I would guarantee that a Mexico v USA friendly in El Paso would sell out in no time. However, just try and convince Bruce Arena to bring the US to a place with football lines. Not gonna happen.

Various reports say that having an entirely new surface designed with permanent SOCCER lines would run around $100,000, plus the cost of changing it out between events/seasons (and that might be considerable).

This might be the way for El Paso/UTEP to go. There is revenue to be made with big game soccer in El Paso. I hope they aren't too short-sighted to see it.

Jeff

Yes it is correct in saying that UTEP didn't anticipate the football lines being a drawback to attracting exhibition games. Also, UTEP didn't really think the Pat's have as much power/connections as they do.

Truth is whether I like or not, the Sun Bowl was soccer-sized with a US/Mexico game in mind. Everyone in this town, including non-business folk know it would be an instant sell out. (I think records could be set in how fast it would if given the opportunity. Tops, I think tickets to such an event would last about an hour.) Even though it would be a pro-mexican crowd, the atmosphere would be second to none. The stadium being situated in between the mountains the way it is allows it to trap in a lot of noise the same way a roof would for other stadiums. I might hate the Tri and there fans, but there is no denying I love the atmosphere they bring to soccer.

As for UTEP maybe fixing the lines problem, I really doubt it would happen any time soon. With budget cuts all around the UT system, UTEP would not be able to afford it. Even if UTEP could do it, the uproar that would ensue(sp?) would make such a task not be worth it. Our best bet would be that when it comes time to putting in a new turf, then it would be possible.

In a weird way, maybe it is a good thing it happened this way. With this experience UTEP now knows what kinda of facility some of these teams are looking for.

Heres a wrap up from the Pat's website.
Opening weekend recap taken from the most recent press release . (You need adobe to read it) Finally, an updated roster

When did the new Japaneese player get here? He doesnt appear on the official roster.

According to the UNM soccer website, Narita and Carrasco were signed on April 22.

This is and excerpt from the article:

Narita transferred to UNM after one season at Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Washington. A native of Beppu, Japan, Narita became the third All-American in Lobo history after being named to the 2002 CollegeSoccerNews.com Honorable Mention All-American Team, He was second on the team in scoring in the 2001 season with seven goals and was also second on the team in scoring in 2002 with five goals and eight assists. He has two of the Lobos three goals in NCAA Tournament play. Nartia also garnered 1st Team All-MPSF, MPSF All-Tournament, and 1st Team All-Midwest Region honors in 2002.

“I’m excited,” stated Narita. “It’s the next level after college soccer and I am looking forward to playing. They are a very technical and skillful team which fits my style of play. I have been playing soccer in the U.S. for three seasons and I hope to go further. I would like to go and play in Japan but if an opportunity with the MLS (Major League Soccer) came around I would do it.”


Sounds like both of these guys are studs. Good pickups for the Pats.

Jeff

Very cool, Jeff. Yeah, Narita and Carrasco both look to do well on opposite sides of the midfield. Good to see Carrasco get the "A" on Pierce's goal, and Narita will get his own points in short order. He look really, really good Sunday. I think the staff wants them both in better condition -- neither has gone the full 90 -- but El Paso is a lot better with them on the wings.

If Ahmed Figueroa can calm down a bit, he stands to gain with extra room to move. With Narita out there on the wing, Figueroa's side of the field was opened up a lot more for him to create and he looked good Sunday, too. Carrasco replaced Ahmed both nights and looked to be that much more effective, though. And, yes, Carrasco's a local (Anthony, NM), so watch out.

Uh, when does CollegeSoccerNews make you a real "All-American"? NCAA, NAIA etc organizations name the true All-Americans.

I also like the Honorable Mention aspect.

Oh, and my wife really liked it one year when the NAIA All-American 1st team had only one American on it.

The politics behind the NCAA and NAIA All-American lists are not pretty and often start very early in the season with "qualifier" listings on such teams as All-Regional and Player of the Week.

A player, for instance, can be named to as Player of the Week several times and still not make it on the All-Region team which means you can't be nominated for the All-American team.

Sorry, this got me started on something that, as you can see, gets my goat a tad bit.

Senor vox's match report from the second match.