SAN ANTONIO, Texas -  Supporters of San Antonio FC have formed Copa Tejas to be awarded at the end of the 2019 USL Championship regular season to the Texas team with the best head-to-head record among the four clubs, organizers announced.

The four teams – SAFC, Austin Bold FC, Rio Grande Valley Toros and El Paso Locomotive FC – will be competing for Copa Tejas during home-and-away matchups, starting March 23 when RGV visits El Paso for the first-ever game in the trophy’s series. The following Saturday, March 30, SAFC will travel to Austin for the first-ever meeting between those two clubs. 

Copa Tejas’ format will be similar to the Cascadia Cup and the head-to-head competition between MLS teams Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. Points will be earned during the regular season – three for a victory, one for a draw and no points for a loss. The team that accumulates the most points during the regular USL season, excluding possible U.S. Open match ups and playoffs, will be awarded the trophy in October and will keep it and bragging rights for a year. If a tiebreaker is necessary, it will be determined from goal differential and other criteria. 

SAFC’s Supporters groups, including Mission City Firm, the Crocketteers and 210 Alliance, will be coordinating with supporters of the other three Texas teams to make the first-year trophy run a memorable one. Copa Tejas organizers and SAFC supporters Steve Arters and Danielle Gawronski will coordinate between all the supporters groups and handle the trophy’s administration.

“The timing is perfect for Copa Tejas and it’s going to give matches between the Texas teams an added edge right away, not only on the field, but in the stands between all the supporters and fans,” said Copa Tejas organizer Steve Arters. 

Organizer Danielle Gawronski added she couldn’t wait to see how the teams’ supporters are going to have “fun developing the rivalries.” “Now the so-called state champion receives a trophy to signify a great accomplishment and that team’s supporters can celebrate with bragging rights,” she said.

While Copa Tejas will encourage fierce competition on the and off the pitch, it also will encourage camaraderie between the various supporters groups across Texas. SAFC Supporters, known for their large, loud and entertaining tailgates, will invite visiting supporters to party with them prior to home games in San Antonio and be looking to join other supporters’ tailgates when traveling with SAFC. 

To learn more, please visit www.copatejas.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Steve Arters

cell: (210) 240-9823

Danielle Gawronski

email: toeswiggle@gmail.com