KELLY IN THE CAPITAL >>

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Hello All,

KP here, I wanted to let everyone know that I’m in my final days of work and training in El Paso. I’m working in El Paso as the assistant women’s soccer coach at UTEP.

I had the opportunity to watch the El Paso Patriots in their first home exhibition game in the PDL season. Carlos Martinez, a defender for the team, is my roommates boyfriend. A friend of ours and former professional player for Chivas in mexico, Salvador Mercado, or Chava as he’s known in El Paso, is the head coach for the team.

They’re a young team but play with a lot of emotion, which is inspiring to watch. It’s very representative of Mexican culture, football is passion.

The club plays in an old small stadium renamed Patriot Stadium. The pitch isn’t perfect but the atmosphere makes the soccer exciting. The Fans are loud, banging drumbs and using loud wooden noise makers. I’m not sure what they’re called, but they’re loud!!

They chant and heckle in Spanish, sometimes copying English phrases that the other team say. They have a brilliant sense of humor.

I enjoyed hearing the players shouting commands in Spanish, it made me feel like I was at an international game.

Watching soccer, and especially players with the intensity and passion of these, makes me excited for our upcoming Fury season.

I can’t wait to see my Fury girls and represent for the ones that are away.

Oh, I wanted to include a message for the girls that won’t be able to join us this season. Rhi Rhi, Ames, Robby, D-money, and Stoney we’re gonna miss you guys. Good luck, you’re genuises :-)

Adios,

Kelly Parker

photo: Neil Hargreaves