Fort Worth Vaqueros may only have one loss in the National Premier Soccer League this year, but this week features a big game that won’t even count in the standings. That’s because the local amateur side will host a friendly match against Tigres UANL Premier, the reserve team for last year’s champions of Mexico’s Primera División. The senior team, which boasts World Cup veterans such as Jorge Torres Nilo, Javier Aquino, and Enner Valencia (as well as USA’s José Francisco Torres), may have officially lost their title to Santos Laguna two weeks ago, but the Monterrey-area side are still Mexico’s “Team of the Decade” thanks to their four championships since 2011. The reserve team is effectively a minor-league squad, full of young prospects hoping to join the senior team in the near future.
This is a big occasion for the Vaqueros, who this season moved from the cozy confines of Martin Field at Texas Wesleyan University to the larger and more high-profile venue of Farrington Field. Now they get to play in the first-ever international soccer friendly at Farrington as well as test their mettle against a team potentially harboring future stars and that’s good enough to play in Mexico’s third division. The location allows for noshing and beers at Magnolia Motor Lounge or World of Beers before and after kickoff, so you can walk to and from the stadium. What better way to prepare for the upcoming World Cup than a taste of Latin fútbol?
Fort Worth Vaqueros vs. Tigres UANL Premier kicks off at 7:30pm Wed at Farrington Field, 1501 University Dr, FW. Tickets are $10. Call 817-200-7355.
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