Just saw at the bottom of the Times this morning that Steve Sampson will be here for a coaching clinic both this next Tuesday and Wednesday at the Patriots offices on Industrial (off Hawkins).

Wonder if he'll be bringing Harkes and Lalas with him?...NOT!

This is -- I think -- the beginning of the unveiling of the Patriots' "Academy". If it is, it's a nice start. If it isn't, it's still very cool!

Good for the Pats!

Anyone know the times for this clinic? Is pre-regestration necessary? I am trying to determine if I could come and squeeze it around the other things I am doing.

Here is the little brief paragraph that came out in the paper.

Copyright El Paso Times 2002



Rob, if you need some more info, brief says to call the team or stop by the Pat's office.

[ 02-01-2002: Message edited by: chuwy2000 ]

Either you knew something that we didn't or you you a mind reader Duke. Check out the advertisement that came in today's sport section and yesterday's entertainment section of the El Paso Times:



I circled the two things that I found the most interesting. First, I circled "Professional Soccer Academy". Duke was right, this looks like the beginning of the academy. Finally I circled the "El Paso Patriots Soccer Club" because this is the first time I hear the Pat's ever refer to themselves as a soccer club. This looks like the start of an exciting time for the Pat's.

Gee, nice lead time. A bit short for individuals in El Paso who work (is it daytime hours or after work hours?) and not enough for anyone else to come from out of town. If my kid had known I could see him flying in for the clinic and chance to talk to Pats mgt. But, alas, not enough lead time.

Also, hours being held should have been in ad and story. Of course the story was run because they bought the ad. Tit for Tat in the business.

As a veteran newspaper/advertising and PR guy, this isn't good.

[ 02-04-2002: Message edited by: jfl99 ]

Just a little rumor to start. I am going to the clinics and when I was regestering for it, I asked if this ment that Sampson would be the Patriots coach this year. The guy that I talked to said that he could not comment on that. Take that for whatever you want, but if Sampson is going to be the coach, that could create a little more publicity for the Patriots. It is not to often that you get a national team coach who had great success (except for three games if France) to be your coach. We must rememer that it was Sampson who as the interm coach led the USMNT to a semi-final spot in the Copa America, beating some good teams to do it.

jfl99,
Good point.

Rob,
Well since you will be attending the clinics, hopefully you can provide us with a "heads up".

As far as Sampson, I really don't think the Patriots would be able to pull that off. It would be cool, but I highly doubt he would come to EP to coach. Besides, what kind of effect would an American coah have on a mostly Latin team?

Speaking of Patriot coaches, where is AL? I haven't seen him in a while. He seemed to have some insight into who the Pat's were looking into getting as a coach (in addition to other things). Maybe JY Ferry asked him to stop and not say anything concerning the team........ Speaking of Ferry, anyone else notice how he hasn't checked in, in addition to removing his e-mail address from his profile? By this time last year he had already shown up and said something concerning the team and the upcoming season. If he isn't going to be showing up, maybe he shouldn't be allowed to be moderator. Maybe then I can get the e-mail notification thing I had before it was taken away.

So Rob how did the clinic go? Anything noteworthy?

The clinic was good. Sampson is a nice guy, and very confident about his abilities to coach. He answered many questions and did two trainig sessions. One was with a u-14 team and another with a u-8 team. Now he works in the So-Cal ODP program and is very happy there, so no luck getting him to come to ELP. He is totally bi-lingual and did a great deal of the clinics in spanish (note I speak french, but not spanish, so I coulgt about 50% of the spanish. The focus was on the developtment of the youth programs. On the sign-up sheet, the El Paso Patriots Soccer Academy was mentioned. A question was asked if we desired to help develop it. Mitch Dablado (sp?) announced that this clinic was the beginning of the Academy. I learned some good things about tactics and training. Steve seemed very friendly and approachable. I also met the Kevin Cross, the UTEP womens coach and his assistant. I know this will sound odd coming from an AGGIE but they are two great people. Very friendly and open to discussion. Go and support their team. The Pats should have a coach soon we were told. Who knows, the clinic was professionally done and a real credit to the organization.

That's heartening to know but, boy, are these guys way behind the power curve when it comes to the team. All you have to do is look at all the activity of the other major teams in the way of tryouts already held and the many, many signings (Pittsburg just signed three major players).

Only thought one can have is that whatever coach is coming is going to either bring an entire team with him or go with what the PATS had last year which is virtually impossible I'd imagine unless you hire every 2002 H.S. grad in town.