A Farewell To Eddie Johnson And Other Aztex News & Notes

NEWS:

Austin Aztex: League’s Leading Goal Scorer Eddie Johnson Transferred to Portland

The Aztexan: Timbers Sign Eddie Johnson to 2011 MLS Team

NewsOK.com: Timbers sign 3 of their own for 1st MLS season

SB Nation: Major League Soccer Expansion: Portland Timbers Sign Four Players

Sports Network: Portland signs first four players

KGW.com: MLS Timbers sign Dike, Cronin, Pore and former Aztex Johnson

World Soccer Reader: Portland Timbers Announce Four MLS Signings

Soccer By Ives: Timbers look to build after adding first four players

OregonLive: Timbers announce first signed players for MLS

KPTV.Com: Portland Timbers Name 4 Players To MLS Squad



NOTES:

One thing that took me by surprised is that the Timbers signed Eddie Johnson during the season and then loaned him back to Austin for the rest of the season. You wondered why the Montreal Impact announcers mentioned Eddie's signing during the Impact-Aztex playoff broadcast and Miguel Gallardo mentioning about Johnson's departure on last week's Futbol En Vivo. To me, its all about both the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps using all of their means (and loopholes) to sign players before entering MLS and their strict rules and regulations of getting players. I would not be surprise if the Montreal Impact will do the same for next season in preparation for 2012.

For those who want to reminisce about Eddie Johnson, you can listen to him along with Djorn Buchholz on Episode 5 of In The Mixer podcast. Also you can listen to last week's Episode 8 of In The Mixer podcast recapping the Austin Aztex's 2010 season and what to look forward towards next season. It's best to listen to Episode 5 while drinking an Aztex Amber Ale (whom his picture is on the bottle) in his honor. We wish him to best of luck (expect playing them in the U.S. Open Cup ;-) ) with the Portland Timbers next season in MLS.



The other news is that Austin Aztex midfielder Yordany Alvarez is on trial with the Houston Dynamo. We now know why Dominic Kinnear was scouting at House Park during the Aztex-Impact 2nd leg game. I know that it's only a trial, but the FC Dallas fan in me doesn't want him to go to Houston as he's along with Lawrence Olum a stable Aztex force pair in central midfield. Plus the fact he's looks better in Aztex red and white instead of Dynamo orange. ;-) So we will see how that one plays out and what Kinnear's judgment is on Alvarez.

Thursday's Aztex News & Notes - September 23, 2010

USSF D2: (From September 20) Four Teams Compete for the Last Three Playoff Spots as USSF D-2 Pro League Enters Penultimate Week

Austin Aztex: Rematch Looms Large For the Aztex

Austin Aztex: Registration for Aztex Satellite Training Available Now

Austin Aztex: Aztex Newsletter is Hot Off the Press (Issue 29)

Major League Soccer: Long Road Leads Back to Bigs For LA's Marshall

Austin Chronicle: Aztex final regular season home game, and more

Chantico's Army: 2010.09.20 :: In the Mixer :: Episode 6 :: Gerry Wittman from NASL Fanatic

Chantico's Army: USSF Division 2 Playoff Teams Locked, Seedings Still In the Works

Austin American Statesman: Austin Aztex players finally getting some rest

The Aztexan: Home Game 9/25: AC St. Louis

USL Soccer: A Fine Footballing Life - Aztex Coach Adrian Heath is Still Enjoying the Ride

KXAN: Aztex aim for top seed

Wednesday's Aztex's News & Notes - August 4, 2010

If you haven't listen to the latest edition of Futbol en Vivo podcast yesterday, you can listen to them here: (listen, download in Spanish); (listen, download in English). Austin Aztex's midfielder Yordany Alvarez was their guest on the Spanish version of the show to talk about his experiences playing soccer in Cuba and how he is adjusting like in the U.S. So have a listen to the interview as well as other topics such as the Aztex's win over Miami FC, Copa Libertadores, the MLS All-Star game last week in Houston and others. Also don't forget that tomorrow, Futbol en Vivo will be at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX to attend the FC Dallas vs Inter Milan friendly. You can follow live tweets on their twitter here (@futbolaustin) for live match commentary and post-match audio.

In addition to that, you can also listen to this evening Austin Aztex's Coach's Show (listen, download) on AM 1300 The Zone as well as the first episode of In The Mixer (listen, download).

In other news, Chantico's Army member Dan Wiersema of the Free Beer Movement is mentioned in Austin360.com's article "Make a soccer convert, buy them a beer". Check out Dan's photo trip to Houston for the MLS All-Star match in which he brought along newbies to the beautiful game. To which is very helpful of getting new and converted soccer fans at the Tavern (Pre-Game) or at Cuatros (Post-Game).

Speaking of which, make sure you get to House Park this Saturday night as we take on Tampa Bay Rowdies. The game starts at 7:30pm In both matches so far this season, both of them have been draws/ties (2-2 at Tampa and a thrilling 3-3 at House Park). So be there at the Tavern for pre-match gathering along with Chantico's Army at 5:30pm and post match gathering at Cuatros. Hopefully we can finally get a win against the Rowdies whom their record doesn't reflect on how they played this season. Also the Crocketteers (San Antonio Soccer Supporters Group) will be making their IH-35 trip to House Park (on a Lion and Rose Double Decker Bus) to see the match. So we need every support we can get to support our beloved Austin Aztex to maintain our top of the USSF D2 table status.

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:

Insert Caption Here

Because you know you want to.

FC Dallas' season x 4 years = Coma

Aztex Get Ciaran O’Brien On Season-Long Loan From Colorado

Yesterday the Austin Aztex announced that they added Colorado Rapids midfielder Ciaran O’Brien to roster on loan for the rest of the season. For those MLS fans that might remember Ciaran O’Brien is that he's the younger bother of Leighton O'Brien and made his debut against the L.A. Galaxy last season. But only lasted 19 minutes due to being sent off in the 90th minute for a tackle on Carlos Ruiz.

I'm not too sure about getting him, thought Rapids fans are happy that he's not on the team (at this moment) and they probably think that he's a cancer to the squad. I'm going to wait and see on this as I hope that's not a case on him. Personally after last Friday's game, I was hoping that Jean Alexandre would stay on the Aztex. But it's not going to happen as he is returning to Real Salt Lake after his international duty with Haiti.

What are your thoughts about this move? Should we Aztex fans be worry about O'Brien? Please post your comments here.

Guess Which MLS Coach Is On The Hot Seat?

According to the Goal.com editors, most of the them said exactly what most of us said all along on which MLS coach is on the hot seat. But the Hunts Sports Group (or should I say Hunts Entertainment Group) could care less or won't even listen to what their fans are saying.

Ugly Podcast

I like to give a shout out to my friends on the Winning Ugly Radio Show on the Champions Soccer Radio Network. Winning Ugly is the Around The Horn of soccer but a million times better than that annoying ESPN show. The show is basically MLS + European Soccer + Pop Culture = fun & laughs. The show's host usually ask the questions to the panelists and judges their answers based on points to determine this weeks champions. Here are the lineups:

Scott Bornstein

Sandra Franz

Zach Woosley

Erik Young

Hank Alexandre

Jason Davis

MJ in Pitt

Bobby Rhine

So please turn in the show in which is available on podcast, including this week's Episode 27 of the show in which the lovely, smart and talented Sandra Franz is the host of this show.

However there's one subject matter that has to be address. Weeks ago the Winning Ugly panel wanted Drew Carey to be a guest of this show. So they promoted heavy for their Winning Ugly campaign:




Then this past week the FCD marketers launch their own promotion to the game against Seattle Sounders.



How dare them that they stole Winning Ugly's intellectually property and idea. That's copyright infringement. What's even worse is that the promotion sounds more like Seattle Sounders' front office promotion than FCD's. Unbelievable.

The FCD front office will be hearing from the Winning Ugly's lawyer Jackie Chiles soon:



"That FCD Drew Carey promotion is deplorable, unfathomable, improbable. It's an infringement on my client's Winning Ugly rights. It's outrageous, egregious, preposterous."

Stay turn for more info on this saga.

FC Dallas' 2009 Season So Far

First of all, due to my personal busy schedule I wasn't able to post any blogs last week. So I apologize for the lack of news & reports here. However after last Saturday's Texas Derby against Houston, I would like to share to you the many positive things have been going on with FC Dallas so far this season:


















































That is all.

MLS Week 7 & USL-1 Week 4 Results

MLS Week 7

Saturday, May 2

Toronto FC 1-1 Columbus Crew
Attendance: 19,998

D.C. United 2-1 FC Dallas
Attendance: 14,225

Chicago Fire 1-1 Seattle Sounders FC
Attendance: 10,288

Colorado Rapids 2-0 Real Salt Lake
Attendance: 9,045

San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Chivas USA
Attendance: 10,049

Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 New York Red Bulls
Attendance: 21,006

Sunday, May 3

New England Revolution 0-2 Houston Dynamo
Attendance: 9,112



USL-1 Week 4

Thu, April 30, 2009

Portland Timbers 0-0 Carolina RailHawks
Attendance: 8,549


Fri, May 1, 2009

Cleveland City Stars 0-3 Rochester Rhinos
Attendance: 2,087

Sat, May 2, 2009

Puerto Rico Islanders 3-2 Montreal Impact
Attendance: 4,022

Miami FC Blues 0-1 Charleston Battery
Attendance: 1,503

Minnesota Thunder 2-3 Vancouver Whitecaps
Attendance: 3,298

Portland Timbers 2-0 Carolina RailHawks
Attendance: 6,742

MLS Week 7 & USL-1 Week 4 Schedule

MLS Week 7

Saturday, May 2

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew
4:00 p.m. (EST) DK, Match Center

D.C. United vs FC Dallas
7:30 p.m. (EST) 6:30 p.m. (CST) FSC, FSE

Chicago Fire vs Seattle Sounders FC
7:30 p.m. (CST) 5:30 p.m. (PST) DK, Match Center

Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake
7:30 p.m. (MST) DK, Match Center

San Jose Earthquakes vs Chivas USA
7:30 p.m. (PST) DK, Match Center

Los Angeles Galaxy vs New York Red Bulls
7:30 p.m. (PST) 10:30 p.m.(EST) DK, Match Center

Sunday, May 3

New England Revolution vs Houston Dynamo
3:00 p.m (EST) 2:00 p.m (CST) Telefutura



USL-1 Week 4

Thu, April 30, 2009

Portland Timbers vs Carolina RailHawks
7:00 p.m. (PST) 10:00 p.m. (EST) PGE Park USL Live

Fri, May 1, 2009

Cleveland City Stars vs Rochester Rhinos
8:00 p.m. (EST) Middlefield Cheese Stadium (Bedford) FSC

Sat, May 2, 2009

Puerto Rico Islanders vs Montreal Impact
8:00 p.m. (EST) Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium USL Live

Miami FC Blues vs Charleston Battery
8:00 p.m. (EST) Tropical Park Stadium USL Live

Minnesota Thunder vs Vancouver Whitecaps
7:05 p.m. (CST) 5:05 p.m. (PST) National Sports Center USL Live

Portland Timbers vs Carolina RailHawks
7:00 p.m. (PST) 10:00 p.m. (EST) PGE Park USL Live

FC Dallas Add A Defender, Aztex Players Honored & An Update From San Antonio

Austin Aztex News:

Austin Aztex: Eddie Johnson is USL Player of the Week; Caugherty honored

United Soccer Leagues: USL Week 3 honors announced - Johnson, Severs named Players of the Week

FC Dallas News:

FC Dallas Blog: FCD Acquires Kyle Davies

3rd Degree: FCD Lands U-20 Captain Kyle Davies

World Soccer Reader: FC Dallas Trades For Kyle Davies

San Antonio News:

Crocketteers: Soccer Stadium Deal stalling Spurs Sports & Entertainment?

My San Antonio: Holt upbeat about Spurs’ bottom line

MLS Week 6 Schedule

Wednesday, April 22

* Toronto FC 1 Chivas USA 0
Attendance: 19,915

Thursday, April 23

* Kansas City Wizards 1 New York Red Bulls 0
Attendance: 10,385

Saturday, April 25

* Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire
7:00 p.m. (EST) 6:00 p.m. (CST) FSC, FSE

* Real Salt Lake vs New England Revolution
7:00 p.m. (MST) 9:00 p.m. (EST) DK, Match Center

* Colorado Rapids vs Los Angeles Galaxy
7:30 p.m. (MST) 6:30 p.m. (PST) DK, Match Center

* Chivas USA vs FC Dallas
7:30 p.m. (PST) 9:30 p.m. (CST) DK, Match Center

* Seattle Sounders FC vs San Jose Earthquakes
7:30 p.m. (PST) DK, Match Center

Sunday, April 26

* New York Red Bulls vs D.C. United
3:00 p.m. (EST) Telefutura

* Toronto FC vs Kansas City Wizards
5:00 p.m. (EST) 4:00 p.m. (CST) DK, Match Center

Monday Morning Midfielder: Aztex Debuts In A Draw & Texas MLS Teams Finally Won

Austin Aztex

Austin Aztex: Aztex FC tie Thunder 1-1 in USL-First Division debut

Chantico's Army: Match Report - Austin Aztex USL1 v. Minnesota Thunder

The Aztexan: Aztex Draw With Minnesota Thunder, 1-1

The Statesman: Aztex play to a draw in first game

News 8 Austin (Video): The Austin Aztex tie the Minnesota Thunder in USL-First Division Debut.


FC Dallas

FC Dallas: Cooper's brace gives FC Dallas first win

FC Dallas Blog: FC Dallas 3 Toronto FC 2

Dallas Morning News: Cooper scores twice in FC Dallas' first win of season


Houston Dynamo

Houston Dynamo: Dynamo top Rapids for first 2009 win

Houston Chronicle: Dynamo hang on to beat Rapids for first victory

MLS To San Antonio: Version 2.0?

Last weeks there were some news relating to San Antonio re-entering the race to get a MLS franchise. My friends at MLS Daily and Match Fit USA post on their blogs about the current situation of soccer in the Alamo city. Plus I know there's a strong base of soccer supporters in the city. In fact there's already a supporters group called The Crocketteers who are trying to get a pro team in San Antonio rather if it's MLS or USL-1. They also have a blog about this situation as well.

This news is big to me since I was born a raised in San Antonio and I know first hand about the politics that goes around in the city. So it took me a while to think about this and I feel that San Antonio is more suited for USL-1 at this moment instead of MLS due to these factors.

1) Past History: Do you think Don Garber wants to give San Antonio a second look after what happened 5 years ago? Personally I don't think so due to the Mayoral candidates thoughts on getting the MLS team. And from what I getting from this, they are more focus on community oriented & educational issues. Yes there needs to be more soccer fields in the community but I would hope that bring a pro team along with it would help. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good market for soccer in the community. The only bad thing about it is that some council members still believe that it won't generate big financial (like they tried to get a NFL team). Plus the cost of getting a MLS team is higher now than it was 5 years ago so that might play against the city councils thoughts.

2) Rivalry: Here in Austin, the Aztex are in need of a USL-1 rivalry. You look at the likes of Houston-FC Dallas, Seattle-Portland-Vancouver, and New England-New York Red Bulls-D.C. United, local rivalries can grow in a instant. By having a USL-1 team, you can start to build the team from the grass roots up. How do you think Toronto, Seattle, Vancouver & Portland started to get a big fan base of soccer supporters? It doesn't come overnight. Besides, USL-1 need new teams to replace Portland & Vancouver in 2011 and San Antonio would be perfect for Texas to have 2 MLS teams & 2 USL-1.

And I for one as a member of Chantico's Army, the Austin Aztex supporters group, would love to have The Crocketteers on the pro soccer bandwagon rather if it's MLS or USL-1.

Houston, We Have A (Stadium) Problem

After seeing highlights of the awful & crappy field conditions at Robinson Stadium last Saturday between Houston and Columbus, you hope to pray that the Dynamo will get their own stadium soon. Things were looking up when they announced on Tuesday that financing for Dynamo stadium is nearly a done deal and that they would share the stadium with Texas Southern University. Then according to Glenn Davis of the Soccer Hour, the deal just hit a snag thanks in part to the local Houston council members. The biggest fear from this is that Houston could lose their team (St. Louis a most likely destination). It's bad enough when MLS keeps promoting expansion teams like Seattle, Vancouver & Portland and yet totally ignores the stadium problems that their current teams are still facing like San Jose, New England, D.C. United & Houston. I for one personally (as a FC Dallas fan) doesn't not want Houston to move out of Texas especially when we are starting to grow the sport in the Lone Star State and that they already established a core fan based in the area. We can not let politics take away our passion for the game.

No Title Header Needed

Normally I believed that cheerleaders or dance squads have no place in pro soccer.

So tell me why they're now there in Dallas? Better yet, don't answer that. ;-)

But then again, there's plenty of them in Mexico & South America (NSFW).

Fulltime: Real Salt Lake vs Austin Aztex [R]

Real Salt Lake 3 Austin Aztex 1

Bernard scores in the 72nd minute from a corner kick assisted by Alex Tapp to equalize at 1-1. But Yura Movsisyan was able to score in the 82nd minutes and Javier Morales puts the game away in stoppage time for a RSL win.

Perhaps the defense ran out of gas at the end. But they were able to get an equalizer in the 2nd half which is a plus for the attacker.

Real Salt Lake should improve this upcoming season just as long as they don't hit the woodwork too much. ;-)

The coverage of the game (from the Salt Lake radio to the MLS matchtracker) really sucked. I don't know if it's MLS' way to disrespect a USL club or the league itself, but this lack of knowledge and respect from both sides has got to stop. Jason from Match Fit USA wrote a blog about this MLS & USL dysfunctional relationship. The last thing that we need is a soccer civil war in this country.

Please tell me what you think about the coverage of the game or the relationship between the leagues and what should be done to fix this situation.

Halftime: Real Salt Lake vs Austin Aztex [R]

Real Salt Lake 1 Austin Aztex 0.

Olave's 41st minute goal from a corner kick by Morales is the difference in the match. As I'm listening to the "homer" online radio, they talk too much about the RSL's season more than what was going on the field. Is there one thing that really needs to improve from the soccer radio & TV announcers is to CONCENTRATE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE GAME. Plus they really need to do some serious homework on not only the Austin Aztex but USL in general. But they're MLS so it doesn't surprise me about their ill informed comments and errors:

* Come on now. We are a new team, NOT a promoted team from the PDL.

* Heath won honors at Everton, not Stoke.

* And the season starts on April 18, not April 4.

Overall the radio announcers suck.

Also did I mentioned that they misspell the word Aztex with Astex on the MLS website?

March 21, 2009		Rio Tinto Stadium
Austin Astex	vs.	Real Salt Lake

0	45:00 halftime	1
Scoring:
RSL -- Jamison Olave 1 (Javier Morales ) 37
Discipline:
RSL -- Clint Mathis (caution; Dissent) 30
Audio | Video | Play-by-Play

Good Grief!