FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  2/07/2023

COPA TEJAS ANNOUNCES TEXAS MLS HOME-AND-HOME SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENT 

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – In response to the unbalanced 2023 MLS schedule for the three Texas teams, the first two rivalry games will not count toward the final Copa Tejas standings, resulting in a balanced home-and-home schedule for the remaining six games of the season to determine a champion, organizers announced. 

In the announced MLS schedule this season, Austin FC plays the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas three times, while Houston and Dallas only face each other twice. After reviewing different options, the Copa Tejas Board agreed not to count Austin’s first two matches, one against Houston and one against Dallas, for the trophy’s final standings this season, providing the most competitive balance possible for the in-state rivalry. 

The first two games of the season that will not count toward the 2023 Copa Tejas standings are: 

• Austin FC at Houston Dynamo, March 18 (Shell Energy Stadium) 
• FC Dallas at Austin FC, May 13 (Q2 Stadium)
  The adjusted full schedule for the 2023 Copa Tejas trophy will be:
   
• Houston Dynamo at FC Dallas, May 20 (Toyota Stadium) 
• Austin FC at Houston Dynamo, May 27 (Shell Energy Stadium)
• FC Dallas at Austin FC, June 21 (Q2 Stadium) 
• Houston Dynamo at Austin FC, June 24 (Q2 Stadium) 
• Austin FC at FC Dallas, August 26 (Toyota Stadium) 
• FC Dallas at Houston Dynamo, September 30 (Shell Energy Stadium)
  MORE
   

Copa Tejas Announces Adjusted 2023 Schedule - Page 2 

As a result of these changes, each club will play one home and one away match against its other two Texas rivals that will determine the 2023 Copa Tejas champion. Points accumulation will remain the standard 3-1-0 – three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss. The Copa Tejas winner will continue to be the club with the most points during the designated regular season head-to-head matches, excluding possible U.S. Open matchups and playoffs. The club and its Supporters groups that win the trophy 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. 

While the Board recognizes the challenges in crafting a schedule given the multitude of variables, it also believes MLS does not understand the importance of these rivalry matches in growing the game. Amidst the expansion of international play with the Leagues Cup in June, it should remain a paramount focus of the league to nurture natural rivalries. Copa Tejas is not the only important Supporters-driven trophy in the U.S. impacted by the MLS’ unbalanced scheduling this year. 

Copa Tejas urges Major League Soccer and USL Championship to recognize the importance of regional rivalries when scheduling matches and restore a balance schedule in the future for the Supporters and fans across Texas. 

About Copa Tejas 

Copa Tejas was founded in 2019 by Supporters groups of Texas’ four USL Championship clubs after teams were added in Austin and El Paso. It was the first year a designated trophy was awarded to the best pro soccer team in the state. In 2021, following the addition of Austin FC to MLS, a Division-1 competition was added. Supporters groups from Austin (Austin Anthem, Los Verdes), Dallas (Dallas Beer Guardians, El Matador) and Houston (The Surge, Texian Army and Bandera Negra) have independently funded and managed the competition to celebrate the Beautiful Game in the Lone Star State. 

Copa Tejas D-1 Champions: 

- 2021: FC Dallas - 2022: Austin FC 

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

COPA TEJAS SUPPORTERS BEGIN FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR NEW TROPHY AWARDED TO TEXAS MLS TEAM

 SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Copa Tejas Supporters of Austin FC, Houston Dynamo FC and FC Dallas have started a fundraising campaign for a new trophy to be awarded at the end of the 2021 MLS regular season to the Texas team with the best head-to-head record among the three clubs, leaders announced.

The three teams will be competing for Copa Tejas during regular season matchups, starting May 8th when Houston Dynamo FC visits FC Dallas for the first-ever Division 1 game in the trophy’s series. In early August, Austin will host Houston for the first-ever meeting between those two clubs, and Austin FC’s first match against an in-state rival in MLS play.

The Supporters groups between the three teams – Austin Anthem, Los Verdes (Austin FC); Texian Army, Bandera Negra, and The Surge (Dynamo); Dallas Beer Guardians and El Matador (FC Dallas) – are each donating the initial funds to start the project, while a GoFundMe account (gf.me/u/zrpz64) has been launched to help raise additional money for trophy enhancements, a traveling case for transport between cities and repairs/maintenance. 

Copa Tejas, started in 2019, now awards individual trophies to the Texas MLS and USL Championship champions, while the Shield is given to the team with the best record among those two divisions and the state’s NWSL team. 

Supporters begin fundraising campaign for new Copa Tejas trophy 

The Division 1 trophy is awarded to the Texas MLS team with the best head-to-head record among the three clubs (Austin FC, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo FC), while the Division 2 trophy is given to the USL Championship team with the best head-to-head record among the four teams (Austin Bold FC, El Paso Locomotive FC, Rio Grande Valley FC, San Antonio FC). The Copa Tejas Shield is given to the Texas MLS, USL Championship or NWSL team (Houston Dash) with the best points per game average during the team’s regular season.

While Copa Tejas encourages fierce competition on and off the pitch, it also aims to build camaraderie and networking between the various Supporters groups across Texas, uniting soccer supporters from across the Lone Star State. Fans and supporters from across Texas are encouraged to donate to this GoFundMe and truly own a piece of this in-state rivalry. 

For more information about the new Division-1 Copa Tejas trophy, its format, history or other questions, 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 

We're raising money to design and produce a custom trophy worthy of Copa Tejas' Division-1 (MLS) Champion. While each of the major Texas Supporters Groups in Austin, Dallas and Houston are donating an amount to fund the start of the project, extra money raised will be used for the trophy, possible enhancements, traveling case and maintenance.

SUPPORTERS FORM COPA TEJAS SHIELD ACROSS D1 AND D2 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAMS

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Supporters groups of MLS, USL Championship and NWSL have formed Copa Tejas Shield to be awarded at the end of the 2021 regular season to the Texas team with the best record among the Division 1 and Division 2 men’s and women’s soccer teams, organizers announced.

The various supporters groups back Austin Bold, Austin FC, FC Dallas, El Paso Locomotive, Houston Dynamo and Dash, RGV Toros FC and San Antonio FC.  Scoring for the Copa Tejas Shield will be based on regular season games, excluding possible U.S. Open match ups and playoffs in each league, similar to the MLS Supporters Shield created by the Independent Supporters Council (ISC). 

The total points will then be averaged to compensate for the variations in number of matches played across leagues or extenuating circumstances. The shield will be awarded to the winner at the end of the regular season before the playoffs.

This unique collaboration is the result of efforts across rival supporters groups in three (3) different leagues. This competition is the first of its kind to cross leagues and genders - MLS, USL Championship and NWSL.  It’s believed this award will take a step in a new direction for soccer in America and bring the leagues together to determine who’s really the best in Texas. 

The Supporters groups between the eight teams – La Cinco 12 (Austin Bold), Austin Anthem, Los Verdes (Austin FC), Bayou Brigade (Houston Dash), Bandera Negra, Texian Army, The Surge (Houston Dynamo), Dallas Beer Guardians, El Matador (FC Dallas), 8th Notch (El Paso Locomotive FC), Stampede (RGV Toros), 210 Alliance, The Crocketeers, Mission City Firm 118 (San Antonio FC)  – will be coordinating with other supporters of the Texas teams to make the first-year shield run a memorable one.  

Copa Tejas co-founders Steve Arters and Danielle Gawronski will coordinate between all the supporters groups and handle the shield's management and administration.

“This award is a history-making moment that should be remembered throughout the soccer community, bridging leagues through supporters’ cooperation.” Co-founder Danielle Gawronski said.   “Shield creation was brought about in the absence of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup that allowed fans to engage in competition across multiple leagues. 

“Copa Tejas wanted to make sure to include all Division 1 and Division 2 teams in the state embracing the NWSL, recognizing the achievements made in the league and by the Houston Dash, “ Gawronski said.  “The shield provides the same excitement to the challenge that comes from the anxious anticipation of seeing who will be the winner across leagues and the hope the underdog can achieve victory.”

Co-founder Steve Arters added that as Copa Tejas continues to grow across the state, “the Shield is a natural progression of competition between the various professional leagues in Texas.

“What's exciting is the inclusion of the NWSL in the competition and, hopefully, it sparks other ownership groups to consider NWSL expansion in the state." Arters said.  "The Copa Tejas Shield represents the height of competition in the state of Texas.  To borrow a phrase, we always say, ‘if you can make it as the best of Copa Tejas, you can make it anywhere.’” 

While Copa Tejas will encourage fierce competition on and off the pitch, it also prompts camaraderie between the various supporters groups across Texas. 

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

4/14/21 

SUPPORTERS FORM COPA TEJAS AWARDED TO MLS TEXAS TEAM WITH BEST HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Supporters of Austin FC, Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas have formed Copa Tejas to be awarded at the end of the 2021 MLS regular season to the Texas team with the best head-to-head record among the three clubs, organizers announced.

The three teams will be competing for Copa Tejas during head-to-head matchups, starting May 8th when Houston Dynamo visits FC Dallas for the first-ever Division-1 game in the trophy’s series.  Then in early August, Houston travels to Austin for the inaugural 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 MLS season, excluding possible U.S. Open match ups and playoffs, will be awarded the trophy in the Fall 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.

The Supporters groups between the three teams – The Austin Anthem, Los Verdes (Austin FC); Bandera Negra, Texian Army, The Surge (Dynamo), Dallas Beer Guardians and El Matador (Dallas) – will be coordinating with supporters of the other Texas teams to make the first-year trophy run a memorable one.  Copa Tejas organizers Steve Arters and Danielle Gawronski will coordinate between all the supporters groups and handle the trophy’s management and administration.

“With Austin FC starting its first season, the timing is perfect for Copa Tejas in MLS and it’s going to intensify the rivalries between the Texas teams,” said Copa Tejas co-founder Steve Arters. “Houston and Dallas, of course, already have a historic rivalry, but adding a third team to the mix turns up the heat both on the field and in the stands with the fans and supporters groups.”

Co-founder Danielle Gawronski added she can’t wait to watch the rivalries grow between the three cities’ supporters communities, but also has already seen a network forming statewide.  “The supporters groups in Houston and Dallas have existed for many seasons and with the supporters groups in Austin growing, we see new ideas and ‘best practices’ being shared as planning continues on Copa Tejas at this level,” she said.

While Copa Tejas will encourage fierce competition on and off the pitch, it also prompts camaraderie between the various supporters groups across Texas. 

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

4.14.2021

SUPPORTERS FORM COPA TEJAS AWARDED TO USL Championship TEXAS TEAM WITH BEST HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

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 Arterscell: (210) 240-9823

Danielle Gawronskiemail: toeswiggle@gmail.com

3.2019