Chivas El Paso Patriots News Release -- www.chivaselpaso.com
Friday, June 24, 2011
EL PASO, Texas -- Three points on the road was good enough to vault the Chivas El Paso Patriots (7-3-1, 15 pts.) into the top spot in the Mid-South Division.
Now the trick will be to hold on to their lead tonight against arch-rival and second-placed Laredo (7-2-0, 14 pts.), at 8 p.m. MDT at Patriot Stadium. The Rio Grande rivalry will continue on Saturday night as the Chivas Patriots will host Rio Grande Valley (2-7-0, 4 pts.), also at 8 p.m.
Michael Griego scored two early goals in each of the Patriots last two games, getting the game-winner in just the third minute in a 1-0 win at New Orleans. Griego and Francisco De Anda scored twice two minutes apart late in the first half at Baton Rouge for a 2-0 El Paso
lead, but the grind of two road games in two days was too much to overcome as Baton Rouge tied the game with two goals in the 81st and 86th minutes.
But the four points earned put El Paso in the driver’s seat against its longtime rival. Like El Paso, Laredo has lots of talent in the area, including U.S. Men’s U-20 national teamer, Felix Garcia (4g, 4a). The Heat are led by Colombian forward Orlando Bayona’s seven goals.
Laredo is outscoring its opposition, 20-7, meaning defense will again be the key for an El Paso team that has yet to see its offense take off. Griego’s recent return has yielded immediate results (three games, two goals), but the Patriots are still paced by steady midfielder Rodrigo Morín’s five goals.
Home cooking could help. Though El Paso must play twice in two nights, Chivas Patriots are undefeated in league play on the Field of Dreams. Saturday night’s opponent, RGV, is also in action tonight against West Texas in Midland, while Laredo must travel to face the Sockers tomorrow.
This weekend’s action will also be webcast at chivaselpaso.com. Fans can also follow the action with live updates on Twitter (@chivasEPatriots).