Fort Worth Vaqueros open inaugural season at home

The Fort Worth Vaqueros FC play their inaugural National Premier Soccer League regular-season game Friday night, hosting the Tulsa Athletics at LaGrave Field.

The Athletics, defending NPSL South Central Conference champions, beat the Vaqueros 2-1 on May 2 in an exhibition game at Tulsa. Vaqueros midfielder Ricky Mejia scored the goal in Tulsa, off a Hilton Ngwa assist. Vaqueros defender Jaime Benitez said the backline must do a better job defending Tulsa’s deep passes.

“I’m definitely excited to finally have a team out here in Fort Worth,” Benitez said. “We need to have a great performance for the fans and hopefully they will continue to come out.”

Vaqueros coach Mark Snell’s key to the game: “Play to our strengths. We are a technically skilled team and need to play fast combinations. As always, when playing a direct team, we need to win the second ball and stay organized in the back.”

The first 2,500 fans to enter will receive a team poster courtesy of Dr Pepper Snapple Group of Fort Worth.

Fort Worth North Side High School’s national award-winning Mariachi Espuelas de Plata will perform the national anthem, and the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base Navy Honor Guard will present the colors.