Dear Matadors Family:

It’s US Open Cup Week and the Lubbock Matadors' Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Match is on Thursday.  Your Front Office Team, Intern Army & Coaches have been working hard to get ready for a historic match. We brought in 20 players from around the country to the LBK to proudly represent you and the Matadors against higher level professional teams. You'll see some familiar faces and some new ones. 

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is a special competition that comes with unique challenges for NPSL teams since we start two months earlier than normal and we cannot use any of our players who still have college eligibility.  That said, we'll have a team that will leave it all on the field as we look for a Cupset over 3rd Division pro club Arizona Monsoon.

Throughout my 28-year soccer management career, I've had the pleasure of participating in many US Open Cups, as a player, executive, General Manager, and most recently, as an Owner.  Won a couple and lost a bunch but enjoyed every kick of the ball in every US Open Cup. 

This is the 109th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and we're excited to add Lubbock to the history of this amazing tournament which is our version of the fabled FA Cup in England.  The amazing history of this tournament includes a who's who of American soccer clubs, coaches, and players. 

You can see a full list of Champions at www.ussoccer.com/us-open-cup/champions which includes the early Champions of industrial companies (like Bethlehem Steel, St. Louis Scullen Steel & St Louis Central Breweries plus others) and proud community-based clubs who represented their ethnic communities (New York Hakoah, Philadelphia German-Americans, Brooklyn St Mary's Celtic, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and many others) and most recently, Major League Soccer clubs winning the US Open Cup. 

The great thing about this competition is that Amateur & Semi-Pro teams play professional teams with the chance to advance and play Major League Soccer teams. The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup provides a David vs Goliath scenario where if we win and advance, we could host Austin FC ll or FC Dallas or defending Champion Houston Dynamo in the great city of Lubbock. 

So you say there's a chance... But first things first: On Thursday, we'll host the first ever US Open Cup game in Lubbock when your Matadors host professional club Arizona Monsoon.  We need you (and your friends and your colleagues) to come out to provide a great home field advantage and show American soccer what Lubbock is all about. The game is being Broadcast by US Soccer Federation and thousands of soccer fans all over America will tune into our match. 

We would like to thank Lubbock Christian University for sharing their beautiful soccer stadium with us.  US Soccer requires a full professional size pitch so High School Football Stadiums don't qualify.  Without the support of LCU, we would not have the chance to share Lubbock Soccer History with you so thanks again, LCU!  

Thursday is going to be a magical night for your Lubbock Matadors.  We hope you can join us for a fun night of soccer in the Hub City.  Tickets are available at www.lubbockmatadors.com  Thanks for your support.  Our Matadors family are amazing supporters.  Thursday will be the start of a fun soccer season in Lubbock.  Glad you're a part of it!

Sincerely,

Hitch

Michael Hitchcock
Owner & Managing Partner