Fort Worth Vaqueros release 2016 conference schedule
The Fort Worth Vaqueros minor league soccer team begins its third season April 30 against Houston at Texas Wesleyan University’s Martin Field.
The team released its schedule Wednesday, and start time for all matches is 7:30 p.m.
Competing in the South Central Conference of the National Premier Soccer League, the 12-game regular season ends July 2.
The expanded 11-team conference means the Vaqueros (3-6-5 in 2015) play each opponent once, and also have home-and-away conference matches against nearby rivals Dallas City FC and The Colony-based Liverpool team. and plans to announce an exhibition schedule later.
The NPSL operates as a fourth-division league in the U.S. Soccer Federation and players retain their amateur status.
“The 2016 schedule will be challenging,” Vaqueros coach Mark Snell said. “The team looks forward to the new playoff format, which sees six of the 11 teams qualify. Our No. 1 goal is to be in the playoffs.”
The Vaqueros will return to Texas Wesleyan University’s Martin Field for the second year in a row. The home games will once again feature the family focused, community club atmosphere with the Vaqueros Village and the wildly popular children’s mini fields.
This year marks the Vaqueros’ third season and second as Fort Worth’s only active minor league sports club.
The new playoff structure will see the Top-2 teams receive a bye while teams 3-6 play the first round, followed by the semifinals and conference final.
Vaqueros director of business operations Tobias Xavier Lopez noted that Vaqueros supporters will see four Texas-based South Central clubs in Fort Worth.
The Vaqueros family will also get a first hand look at defending conference champions FC Wichita (June 21) and first year club, the Little Rock Rangers (June 24), from outside the Lone Star State.
“There isn’t a more intimate sports environment in D/FW than what we have created at Martin Field,” Lopez said. “We are thrilled at the plans we have in place for the 2016 season. Now that the schedule is available, the Vaqueros family can begin planning for a wonderful spring and summer in Fort Worth.”
Tickets are on sale now at the Vaqueros Gear Shop (https://fortworthvaqueros.myshopify.com) with a $5 for all home games limited time special. Vaqueros season seats are also available at the Gear Shop at $80 for adults and $50 for youth (ages 6-16). Season seats include a free authentic Vaqueros UN1TUS custom jersey that serves as a ticket into all home games.
2016 FORT WORTH VAQUEROS NPSL SCHEDULE
SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE
Date | Opponent | Time |
April 30 | vs. Houston | 7:30 p.m. |
May 14 | at Dallas City | 7:30 p.m. |
May 17 | vs. Dallas City | 7:30 p.m. |
May 20 | vs. San Antonio | 7:30 p.m. |
May 28 | at Joplin | 7:30 p.m. |
June 11 | at Dutch Lions | 7:30 p.m. |
June 15 | at Liverpool | 7:30 p.m. |
June 18 | vs. Liverpool | 7:30 p.m. |
June 21 | vs. Wichita | 7:30 p.m. |
June 24 | vs. Little Rock | 7:30 p.m. |
June 26 | at Shreveport | 7:30 p.m. |
July 2 | at Tulsa | 7:30 p.m. |
This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Fort Worth Vaqueros release 2016 conference schedule."