New Mexico Runners ready to meet El Paso Rhinos Saturday at 3:05; RR residents can get in for free

Can a team be any more “fan friendly” than this?

When the New Mexico Runners indoor soccer team kicks off its season opener in the Rio Rancho Events Center Saturday, Dec. 30, at 3:15, all Rio Rancho residents – with proof of residence – will be admitted for free at “Rio Rancho Community Night”.

It’s another way team owner Andres Trujillo wants to showcase his team, which he’s maybe most proud of for starting its fifth year as the longest running sports tenant of the Events Center.

Trujillo, a 2004 graduate of Valley High School, knows five years isn’t that long in reality, but no other team calling the City of Vision arena since its opening in 2006 has lasted that long.

“That’s a big thing,” he said. “People were skeptical of how long we’d be here. … I said I was dedicated to the community and I’m still here … (and) investing my passion into building a positive quality of life.

“It’s my baby,” he joked, although his real babies – sons Ezekiel and Lukas – arrived after the team’s debut. The youngsters aren’t involved with the team yet, although Trujillo’s wife, mother and an aunt have key roles off the pitch.

Now, he says, “People know who we are, and whether they’ve been to a game or not, they know who we are and that is, for me, great. At least people know who we area.”

Among the goals for season five are boosting attendance; the team’s five home games feature themes, and most have giveaways for fans.

“One thing that’s different this year, which we haven’t done before, is having our games kick off at 3,” he said. “That gives plenty of time for everybody to get to the game (and home at a decent hour). I think having a 3:05 kickoff is a big positive for us.”

Local soccer legend Steve Famiglietta returns as the head coach, with his son Nick a former Rio Rancho High School player, back as his assistant.

Famiglietta, a native of New York, said his family moved to Rio Rancho in 1975. He graduated from Cibola High School in 1984 and proclaims his love for soccer is because it “was my escape – my go away.”

The roster features a lot of players from last season, plus a couple of guys who played in the team’s “early days,” Jaime “Chiva” Rodriguez and Luis Loera. Nate Yeager, a former Ram, is back as the No. 1 goalkeeper, and a former Cleveland High standout, Miguel Garcia – a Rio Rancho firefighter – also returns.

Famiglietta, who turns 58 in January and appeared in three games last season as a 57-year-old (!!) — says his team’s depth this season should help it win more than four games, which it has done in each of its first four seasons, barring injuries to key players.

“This year we’re gonna be better,” he said. “I’m feelin’ it.”

Get ready for the opener

The El Paso Rhinos provide the opposition on the 30th.

The Runners were 4-7-1in the 2022-23 season, finishing third in the five-team Midwest Division, behind Amarillo (10-2) and Wichita (10-2) and ahead of Colorado (3-9) and Kansas (3-9). The Rhinos are new to the league and are in the Runners’ division; Colorado’s franchise folded.

It’s the Major Arena Soccer League 2’s seventh season, with each M2 team playing a 12-game regular season – six at home, six on the road — with the league’s “Championship Weekend” featuring eight teams in the April 4-7 playoffs at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas, hosted by the Wichita Wings.

Here are the Runners’ other five home games, all starting at 3:05:

• Sunday, Jan. 7, vs. Amarillo Bombers; “Hispanic Heritage Day.”
• Sunday, Jan. 28, vs. Kansas Bandits; “Union Appreciation Day.”
• Saturday, Feb. 10, vs. El Paso Rhinos; “Faith & Family Day.”
• Sunday, March 3, vs. Wichita Wings; “Superstar Day,” with Duke City Championship wrestling featured at 1 p.m.
• Sunday, March 17, vs. Wichita Wings; “Nineties Day.”

NOTES: Season tickets start at $80 and can be purchased online at newmexicorunners.com.

… Runners midfielder Vince Aragon, an assistant coach on the St. Pius X High School boys’ soccer team, helped lead the Sartans to the state’s Class 4A title in November.

… Trujillo was recognized with the Corazon de Cultura Award presented by the New Mexico Hispanic Heritage Committee on Nov. 9 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The award recognized how the Runners organization is making a positive impact in the community all year long. “That was a big thing,” he said, “a credit to my family.”