The 2008 El Paso Patriots kick off their 18th season of competition April 18th with the promise of more value than ever for Patriots fans, and even more competition from the Premier Development League.
Houston Leones, affiliated with Mexican First Division giants Cruz Azul, begin their first season of play in the Patriots’ Mid-South Division, which also sports the defending league champions in Laredo, as well as old foes in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Mississippi.
El Paso begins its season with an exhibition against an NCAA powerhouse in the New Mexico Lobos on April 18th.
The first four games on the Patriots’ schedule are qualifying matches for the 95th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, soccer’s annual version of an all-comers meet. Teams from all levels of the game, from amateur clubs to Major League Soccer, will compete for the ultimate national championship.
El Paso, surprise second-round participants after a rousing come-from-behind penalty kicks win over USL First Division Miami FC, will be looking to advance even further in the competition. The Patriots were the first true professional franchise to participate in the Open Cup final against the Richmond Kickers in 1995. Prior to that the Open Cup was open only to amateur sides.
Also new on the schedule this season will be exhibition matches during off-weeks, scheduled to fill weekends between league competition for the team to keep its consistency, as well as for added value for fans. Patriots fans will be treated to at-the-gate giveaways like backpacks and bobblehead dolls of Patriot players, plus an expanded concessions and merchandise area, more activities for young fans and a new and exclusive VIP seating area on the south side of the stadium.
Moms could wind up with a new sparkler at El Paso’s first PDL home match against the Austin Aztex, as the Patriots will debut the Mother’s Day Diamond Dig. Dads take their turn June 14th. El Paso hosts the Dallas-Fort Worth Tornados and the Patriots will give away a new gas grill for Father’s Day.
In between El Paso will honor the U.S. Military (a part of which gave the Patriots their name) for Armed Forces Day on May 17th. While the Pats take on Houston, military personnel can take advantage of discounts throughout Patriot Stadium.
Each home game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. MST. Keep in touch by signing up for the new Patriots newsletter, plus check out the brand new Patriots online pro shop at www.elpaso-patriots.com. The website also features league news, discussion boards, updates on the Patriots Soccer Academy youth teams and much more.
For information on season ticket packages, the Patriots or the Patriots Soccer Academy, call 915.771.6620, or just enroll for season tickets and the academy online at www.elpaso-patriots.com.
Click HERE for the 2008 Patriot season schedule
