Fort Worth welcomes its first minor league soccer team, May 9. We caught up with Michael Hitchcock, owner of the Fort Worth Vaqueros.
So, you are the proud owner of the newly minted Vaqueros soccer team. Why are you planting a minor league soccer team in Cowtown?
The city of Fort Worth deserves a soccer team. It's a major international city who should have the world's most popular sport. It's overdue in my opinion! Local supporters should have a team in their backyard that they can passionately support, and youth should have a team in their local community that they can aspire to playing for one day.
Can you explain what NPSL means in layman's terms?
U.S. Soccer has four divisions in their professional soccer pyramid. NPSL is the foundation of the pro-soccer pyramid, and it is the largest national soccer league with over 80 teams all over the country. Fort Worth will play teams from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, North Dallas team, San Antonio, College Station, and Joplin, Mo.
How did our newest hometown team get its name -Vaqueros Football Club?
We made the strategic decision, as a community-based club, to allow the fans to build the brand for their team. Thousands of fans participated through social media, with online ballots and voting in the community. Fans named the team, selected the logo, chose the club's scarf designs and are currently voting on what Vaqueros promotions they would like to see during the 2014 inaugural season.
How will having a Fort Worth-based team inspire local soccer fans and youth soccer leagues in the area? There is nothing more important to a fan or a young player than being able to go to a game in a stadium to passionately cheer on their local team. We plan to use our players as positive role models to help Fort Worth youth through hundreds of player appearances and use our events to help area businesses and bring pride to the city. -Courtney Dabney
Opening Day is May 9.
Tickets start at only $5, and kids 5 and under get in FREE.
Season tickets start at only $50 for youth and $80 for adults, including a FREE Vaqueros PUMA jersey, plus other great benefits.
