The 2005 season was a good one for both the El Paso Patriots and the New Mexico Lobos, all the way up to their respective final games. That year, wrapping up the most successful campaign in program history, the Patriots made it all the way to the USL Premier Development League championship before succumbing on penalty kicks to the Des Moines Menace, 1-0. Ditto UNM, as the Lobos made it all the way to the NCAA College Cup Final before losing to Maryland , 1-0.  The teams will open El Paso ’s 2008 season in an exhibition match at Patriot Stadium this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. MDT. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive the 2008 team poster and players will be giving a mini-camp for young soccer players before the match. The camp will be held from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. inside the stadium.

 Both El Paso and New Mexico have been making changes as of late to try and recapture the glory days of 2005 – all with the aim of winning that one last match.

 The Lobos and their mentor, 2004 Soccer Coach of the Year Jeremy Fishbein, have capitalized on their College Cup experience, recruiting an impressive base of talent that has made UNM a fixture in the collegiate post-season. Fishbein’s squad has size, talent and pedigree, sporting 11  returning players who made their state or regional Olympic Development Programs. The Lobos are led by senior-to-be Chris Wright. The 6-5 midfielder scored 15 goals in his junior campaign and leads a squad that beat ACC stalwart Duke, 1-0, and tied defending College Cup champ Wake Forest , 1-1, in spring exhibition play.

 El Paso ’s changes are even more profound, as the Patriots hired Miguel Murillo as their Director of Soccer. A former Mexican First Division veteran and youth coach of note, Murillo brings a wealth of soccer knowledge and a FIFA “A” coaching license to Patriot Stadium to lead both the PDL side and the Patriot Soccer Academy . And after the bitter shootout loss to Des Moines, the Patriots lured the Menace’s General Manager to El Paso . Alan Oatsvall brings his knowledge of running a top-flight United Soccer League franchise to the Sun City and Patriots fans will be the benefactors. Giveaways, promotions, fun and great soccer are in store as El Paso ’s new GM has been working hard to improve on what has always been one of the United Soccer League’s most well-followed franchises.

 For more information on season ticket packages, the Patriots or the Patriots Soccer Academy , log on to www.elpaso-patriots.com, or by phone at 915-771-6620.