The Fort Worth Vaqueros open their third season under Head Coach Nick Stavrou with a number of returning players and the confidence they can once again challenge for the top spot in the Lone Star Conference. Their first game is Saturday, May 11 at 7 pm at Farrington Field in Fort Worth when they take on Tyler FC, and they have progressed every year under the Englishman.

The Vaqueros as a franchise began play in 2014, but it was when the Dallas Sidekicks legend - who recently had his number retired by the Kicks - joined the team that they saw a winning record, finishing 7-3-1 in Stavrou's first season with the team, and then 7-3-2 last year. 2018 also saw them win their first playoff game, a 5-0 victory over Brownsville. The obvious goal now is to take another step forward in the playoffs.

"The Boys in Blue reached the playoffs each of the past two seasons and we anticipate that trend to continue this season," Vaqueros General Manager Tobias Xavier Lopez said. "We are thrilled to begin the sixth season in Vaqueros history and look forward to reuniting with the Vaqueros Family on Saturday night."

With Jamie Lovegrove, Cody Ellis, Cameron Brown, and Mike Jones, among others, lined up to be playing in the blue and white this season, the team should at least match their previous win totals.

Lovegrove won the 2018 NPSL Goal of the Year award for his curled free kick from just outside the penalty area, about 20 yards from the goal line, on June 23 against Brownsville, and all four players are coming off a solid season for the Dallas Sidekicks in the MASL.

In 7 days, you'll have a chance to see Jamie Lovegrove do what Jamie Lovegrove does... score World Class Goals. ICYMI - this goal was 2018 @NPSLSoccer National Goal of the Year. pic.twitter.com/9qboBj2Jdw — Fort Worth Vaqueros (@FtWorthVaqueros) May 4, 2019

The team boasts two local rivalries this season. The first, the Trinity River Cup, is their battle with Dallas City FC that began in 2014. The second is with the newest team to DFW soccer, the Denton Diablos. The Vaqueros play their new derby series against Denton - The Chisholm Trail Clásico - in back to back matches, on the road on May 18 and then at home on June 1. The series against Dallas City begins the following Saturday as they host their eastern rivals on June 8 before going to Dallas on the 4th of July.

In addition to Tyler FC and their two local rivals, Fort Worth will also play home and away matches against the Laredo Heat, Midland-Odessa Sockers, and Katy 1895. Their toughest stretch appears to be in the middle of June as they play three games in eight days, all on the road, with games against Midland, Katy and then Tyler.

"I'm certain this summer the Vaqueros will reach the post-season for the third straight year," Lopez said. "The boys are already working toward our May 11 season opener. I'm confident the growth we've enjoyed the first five years will continue as we begin Year six."

According to the team, the first 200 supporters on Saturday into the stadium will receive a complimentary, opening day themed team poster.