Photo Gallery Event :: USMNT v. Honduras At Cuatros (01-23-2010)

Members of Chantico's Army watching the US-Honduras match on the big screen outside on a cool Saturday evening.



The Cuatrotron. Don't like the scoreline on the screen.



Chantico's Army member Daniel proudly showing his new U.S. Soccer flag.



Getting out the Aztex Amber Ale to the public.



Chantico's Army member and AAA beer creator Ed (left) handing out Chantico's Army president Matthew (right) the first glass beer.



Me with the beer preparing to salute this fine creation....



....that is the Aztex Amber Ale.

While the match really sucked, at least the beer was good. More malty and little less hoppy but it's definitely strong to my taste in which I like.

Despite the usual crappy CONCACAF refereeing and playing in front of a pro-Honduran crowd at the Honduran Depot Center in L.A., the U.S.'s lack of actuate passing and lack of disciple is more to blame for their performance. As an American fan, seeing their off season and lackadaisical performance is not surprising to me at all. And for me to say that really show the lack of depth in quality players in certain key positions for the U.S. They need to improved these situations before the World Cup otherwise having the likes of Algeria "somewhat" upsetting Ivory Coast, England and Slovenia would put the U.S.'s chances into making into the second round in jeopardy.

Stoke City vs Arsenal FA Cup Goals & Highlights (01-24-2010)

Update on Jean Alexandre's Father

We are happy to report that Jean Alexandre's father is safe and has flown back to the U.S. We hope for the best of him, Jean and their family.

Meanwhile here's a classic Aztex moment that will never get old (thanks to Alejo for this one ;-) ):



Please continue your donations to Haiti whenever possible.

Text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 for the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.

Text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 for the American Red Cross relief for Haiti.

You can also donate by visiting RedCross.org or by calling 800-RED-CROSS.

Aztex News & Notes: Waiting For The 2010 Season To Begin

There's been news on when the 2010 USSF Division II soccer season is going to start. Reports are there's going to be a schedule coming out soon. I'm looking forward to it after the USL-1 and NASL settle their differences and work towards a more effective and organized second division in the U.S. and Canada. For more details on the settlement, check out the USL-NASL conference call transcript from the U.S.Soccer..

* USL Conference
* Rochester Rhinos
* Portland Timbers
* Puerto Rico Islanders
* Minnesota (new team; name yet to determine)
* Austin Aztex
* Tampa Bay Rowdies

NASL Conference
* Montreal Impact
* Vancouver Whitecaps
* Crystal Palace Baltimore
* AC St. Louis
* Carolina RailHawks
* Miami FC

Also, the new NASL website was launched this year in which they had an open letter to soccer supporters on what their goals are and beyond. Plus they had their 1st annual general meeting in Tampa, Florida.


One of the big news coming form the Austin Aztex is that they signed Yordany Alvarez to new three year contract. We fans are delighted to have him on the team for the upcoming 2010 season. In addition to Alvarez, the Aztex sign all-league & former Minnesota Thunder midfielder Lawrence Olum So far we added CEO Djorn Buchholz, Camp & Clinics Director Brian Pederson, and now Lawrence Olum. I wonder who's next that we can get from the Minnesota Thunder? Melvin Tarley? ;-)

Finally congrats to former Austin Aztex U-23 player Austin da Luz for being drafted by the New York Red Bulls in the 2010 MLS Draft.



This Saturday the U.S. Men's National Team will take on Honduras at the Home Depot Center. The match will start at 8:00pm CST. There's a Chantico's Army watching event at Cuatros. So please joins us as we unveil & sample the latest & greatest Chantico's creation of all mankind:

Aztex Amber Ale!


Sadly our friend and Chantico member Dan from the Free Beer Movement won't be able to be at the watching event. In fact, he will be in Carson for the USA match itself. I should say barely since he had a drama issue with his flight out to L.A. Nevertheless he will get his beers in California chanting with his fellow U.S. supporters.

And let's hope that our fellow Texan Clint Dempsey gets a speedy recovery in time for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Don't forget, there's a Austin Aztex tryout coming up on February 13th and 14th. For more detail on the tryouts, click here for the information.

Next week Phil Rawlins will be on The Wake Up Call on AM 1300 "The Zone" this Thursday at 6 a.m. to talk about the upcoming season for the Austin Aztex. And perhaps Phil will teach Ahmad Brooks how to talk with a better English accent. ;-)

Also check out Futbol En Vivo on KOOP as our Chantico's Army's president Matthew Gray was the guest on the show. You can listen to the show here on what's going on for the upcoming season as well other soccer topics this past week.

Jozy Altidore Talks To CNN International About Haiti

My Thoughts And Mind On Haiti

Most of you like myself were sadden and heartbroken to what has happen in Haiti over these past couples of days. The news coming from there is that tens of thousands are feared dead after the earthquake disaster. All of us here have deep sympathy, thoughts & prayers to the victims of the earthquake. We do care about what's going on down there....well except a certain personality who shall remain nameless whom made a classless comments about Haiti and their people.




Nevertheless, the Soccer World here is no stranger to Haitians and Haitian-Americans in the U.S. From Joe Gaetjens to Wyclef Jean to Jozy Altidore, they are as much part of the hearts & souls in the American soccer. Plus the likes of Emmanuel Sanon, Philippe Vorbe & Haiti's memorable 1974 World Cup team to Puerto Rico Islander's Fabrice Noel & Real Salt Lake's & Austin Aztex's Jean Alexandre are very much in part of our world as well as our culture and should never be ignored.

Courtesy of CNN: Wyclef Jean helping through 'Yéle Haiti' drive.



Please make a donation for the Haiti Earthquake Relief by either:

Text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 for the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.

Text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 for the American Red Cross relief for Haiti.



You can also donate by visiting RedCross.org or by calling 800-RED-CROSS.

Clint Dempsey's Wonder Goal Against Stoke City

Yes I'm happy that Stoke was able to get 3 points against Fulham. But you can never take away the brilliance from Dempsey's goal.

If I was Stoke, I would be very weary of CONCACAF players in the EPL taking long range volley goals.

Futbol en Vivo Now Available on Podcast

We now have word that the "Futbol en Vivo" show is now available as a podcast at several locations.

Futbol en Vivo is a bilingual soccer program with a first half hour in Spanish and the second one in English. A program with news and events related to the sport around the city (Longhorns soccer, Austin Aztex, Austin city league) and the world. It will include analysis of the World Cup in South Africa, listener participation and commentaries about how soccer explains the world.

* You can access the podcast from the Chantico's Army website. Simply click here to take you to the Multimedia section that has the podcasts loaded.

* You can also subscribe to the podcast via iTunes. You either connect directly to the podcast in the iTunes store or search for it using "Futbol en Vivo".

Each show has 3 different podcasts to suit everyone's tastes; Full hour podcast, Spanish only segment from 1:00 - 1:30, or English only segment from 1:30 - 2:00. The show airs every Tuesdays from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on KOOP (Community Radio for Austin, Texas).

Many thanks to Matthew Gray, KOOP, David and Arch for letting us lbe able to listen to this fine quality show.

Stuart Holden on Good Morning America

My New Year's Soccer Resolution

Normally I don't do any New Year's resolutions because to me they are a waste of time and energy. Stuff like this always happens every year:

• Hangover from New Year's Day Party (I never attend them).
• Bombardment of "Getting Healthy As A Resolution"commercials & news reports from fitness & gym companies just to get you (and your money) to come into their gym.
• Eating black eye peas, cabbage, etc.. on New Year's Day just for good luck. (Yeah right!)
• Firecrackers shooting out from drunk people. Much like last night.
  
• Watching the usual {Insert Some Crappy Corporate Name} college bowl throwball game on TV.
  

So I decided to give out my realistic soccer resolutions for 2010. This is in no particular order:

Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish everyone here a Happy New Year. Let's hope 2010 will bring some positive news...better yet...a whole lot of positive news coming in the world of soccer in this country. Especially from the MLS-Players' Union CBA, the never ending soap opera that is the NASL/TOA/USL saga and the U.S. Men National Team's preparations for the World Cup. Hence the reason why I took a break from blogging (along with personal issues) so all of this stressful drama can calm down for awhile. So hopefully I will be able start up my blog next week.

Take care everyone and be safe.