The Town of Taos announced today that Taos Eco Park’s 3rd Annual NCAA and Club Soccer Showcase will be held in April 2013 in beautiful Taos, NM. This year’s schedule includes three consecutive weekends of the nation’s best college and youth soccer teams beginning on Saturday, April 6 and ending on Sunday, April 21.
“Three years ago we began with three NCAA and nine club teams. Now there are 15 NCAA and 35 amateur teams competing over three weekends.”
– Joel Israel, Exec. Dir. Taos Sports Alliance
The Town of Taos announced today that Taos Eco Park’s 3rd Annual NCAA and Club Soccer Showcase will be held in April 2013 in beautiful Taos, NM. This year’s schedule includes three consecutive weekends of the nation’s best college and youth soccer teams beginning on Saturday, April 6 and ending on Sunday, April 21.
For the third year in a row, Taos Eco Park has also earned its FIFA 2 Star status, making it the first field in the United States to do so.
Combining nationally ranked soccer games on its FIFA 2 Star certified field with the natural and historic wonders in Taos, the town’s new claim to fame is a magnet for all levels of competitive soccer, with Taos Eco Park’s NCAA and Club Soccer Showcase as the annual highlight.
“Taos is proud of its new claim to fame as a spring soccer training center,” said Mayor Darren Cordova, Town of Taos. “Our high altitude training, great travel offerings and love of soccer is attracting the very best college, youth and adult amateur teams to Taos every year.”
Taos Eco Park’s main event is on Saturday, April 13, with the University of New Mexico Lobos Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams v. Denver University in a regional battle for supremacy.
The day begins with New Mexico Rush and Rio Soccer Club youth games, followed by Air Force Academy v. Fort Lewis College Men’s Soccer kicking off an NCAA soccer triple header.
“The Lobos are excited for another great match in Taos,” said Jeremy Fishbein, UNM Lobos Head Men’s Soccer Coach. “A tremendous venue and incredible local support makes this annual game the highlight of our spring season.”
Taos Eco Park’s 3rd Annual NCAA and Club Soccer Showcase is hosted by the Town of Taos and Taos Sports Alliance, in coordination with partners Holy Cross Hospital, Choice Wireless, Shaw Sports Turf, Rush Soccer, Sagebrush/Quality Inn and Don Fernando de Taos Hotel.
Men’s soccer teams confirmed to play in this year’s event include University of New Mexico, Denver University, Air Force Academy, Ft. Lewis College (2011 NCAA DII Nat’l Champs), Adams State College, Trinidad State Junior College, NM Institute of Mining and Tech, FC Denver, Espanola Cobras, New Mexico Rush Soccer, Taos Rush Soccer and Rio Soccer Club.
Women’s soccer teams confirmed to play in this year’s event include University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Eastern New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands, Denver University, Air Force Academy, Adams State College, New Mexico Rush Soccer, Taos Rush Soccer and Rio Soccer Club.
“The growth of this event has been terrific,” said Taos Sports Alliance, Executive Director, Joel Israel. “Three years ago we began with three NCAA and nine club teams. Now there are 15 NCAA and 35 amateur teams competing over three weekends.”
A complete schedule is posted on Taos Eco Park’s website online.
Taos Eco Park’s synthetic turf system, manufactured by Shaw Sports Turf, was awarded the best single field in 2011 by the American Sports Builders Association.
Taos Eco Park is located at 940 Salazar Road, Taos, NM 87571.
For more information or to make reservations, contact:
Joel Israel, Executive Director, Taos Sports Alliance, at joel@taossportsalliance.com.