Friday's Aztex News & Notes - October 1, 2010

Don't forget this evening's watching event: Austin Aztex at Carolina RailHawks at Mister Tramps Sports Pub & Cafe at 6 p.m

Austin American Statesman: Game preview: Austin Aztex at Carolina

The Aztexan: Away Game 10/1: Carolina Railhawks

Austin Chronicle: Aztex Rival Puerto Rico Beats Toluca

The Province: Caps' minds deep in heart of Texas

The Independent Weekly: Preview - Carolina RailHawks host Austin Aztex as both teams look to clinch conference championships

Inside Minnesota Soccer: Have the Rochester Rhinos Gone to USL Pro?

NOTE:

If you missed the "Lonestar Soccer Report", you can watch it online at the website for Jeff Power Productions here.

Wednesday's Aztex News - September 8, 2010

Austin Aztex: Short Week Starts Push for the Playoffs in USSF D-2 Pro League

Inside Minnesota Soccer: USL Merges D-2 and D-3 Leagues to Create ‘USL Pro’ for 2011

Soccer By Ives: SBI USSF Division 2 Power Rankings: Week 22

NASL Fanatic: USSF D2 Playoffs: The Battle for the Final Spots Part 1

NASL Fanatic: USSF D2 Playoffs: The Battle for the Final Spots Part 2

Monday's Aztex's News & Notes - August 9, 2010

2010 USSF D2 PRO LEAGUE STANDINGS (AS OF AUGUST 9, 2010)

Top eight teams qualify for the USSF D-2 Pro League Playoffs, with the top two seeds going to conference winners

Y- Denotes Conference Leader (USL Conference, NASL Conference)

TEAM	GAMES PLAYED	PTS
Y-Austin Aztex	19	41
Y-Vancouver Whiteaps FC	22	35
Rochester Rhinos	21	36
Carolina RailHawks	18	28
Portland Timbers	20	27
NSC Minnesota Stars	22	27
Montreal Impact	21	24
FC Tampa Bay Rowdies	20	24
Puerto Rico Islanders	19	24
AC St Louis	21	21
Crystal Palace Baltimore	20	20
Miami FC	21	19

NASL: Explaining the USSF D-2 Playoff Format

USSF D2 Pro League: Week 18 of the USSF D-2 Pro League Concludes the First Full Week in August

Inside Minnesota Soccer: US Soccer Starts D2 Meeting with Tough Standards

The Aztexan: USA-Brazil Watch Party

The Aztex Blog: Apologies!

Note: We will get more information from the meeting as it goes. Austin Aztex owner Phil Rawlins is present at the USSF D2 meeting in New York. Attendance is strictly for owners.

Don't forget to listen to Futbol en Vivo tomorrow at 1pm CST with Arch Bell & guest host Mariano Conde de Frankenburg (in place of out of town David Alvarez). MLS Manager of Communications Stephen Rodriguez will be this week's guest as he will be able to provide some good insight on the current state of MLS and its future.

Addition to that, Arch Bell was at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco last week for the FC Dallas-Inter Milan match. You can listen to his audio interview with Inter coach Rafael Benitez here from Chantico's Army website.

Also tomorrow, The Austin chapter of American Outlaws will be at Mister Tramps Sports Pub & Cafe for the USA vs Brazil match at 7 p.m. CST (Details on the Watch Party). The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, Univision and ESPN Deportes Radio if you are able to be at the pub. You can get more twitter info and updates from twitter.com/ussoccer and twitter.com/AOAustin.

Austin Aztex: Making Noise in 2010

Here's a new video interview of Adrian Heath and the Austin Aztex while they were at Tampa Bay last week. Courtesy of USL Live

2010 Austin Aztex Full Schedule

Note: Time & venues of the schedule are subject to change.


Purple: Preseason match
Red: Home match
Black: Away match
Green: U.S. Open Cup match (time & venue to be announced at a later date)


Match: Date Day KO (CDT) Opponent Home/Away Location

(As of February 27, 2010)

Preseason: March 7 Sunday 1:00 p.m. Houston Dynamo (MLS) Away Houston, TX
Preseason: March 14 Sunday 5:00 p.m. Houston Dynamo (MLS) Home Nelson Field

League: April 11 Sunday 6:00 p.m. Montreal Home House Park
League: April 17 Saturday 7:10 p.m. AC St. Louis Away St. Louis, MO
League: April 25 Sunday 6:00 p.m. Rochester Rhinos Home House Park

League: May 1 Saturday 7:00 p.m. NSC Minnesota Stars Away Blaine, MN
League: May 8 Saturday 6:30 p.m. FC Tampa Bay Away Tampa, FL
League: May 16 Sunday 6:00 p.m. Crystal Palace Baltimore Home House Park
League: May 19 Wednesday 7:30 p.m. FC Tampa Bay Home House Park
League: May 26 Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Miami FC Blues Away Miami, FL
League: May 29 Saturday 6:00 p.m. Crystal Palace Baltimore Away Baltimore, MD

League: June 5 Saturday 7:30 p.m. Puerto Rico Islanders Home House Park
League: June 9 Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Portland Timbers Home House Park
League: June 12 Saturday 7:30 p.m. Vancouver Whitecaps Home House Park
Cup: June 15 Tuesday/ June 16 Wednesday TBD US Open Cup 1st Round TBD TBD
League: June 19 Saturday 7:30 p.m. Miami FC Blues Home House Park
Cup: June 22 Tuesday / June 23 Wednesday TBD US Open Cup 2nd Round TBD TBD
League: June 26 Saturday 6:30 p.m. Miami FC Blues Away Miami, FL
Cup: June 29 Tuesday / June 30 Wednesday TBD US Open Cup 3rd Round TBD TBD

League: July 3 Saturday 7:30 p.m. Puerto Rico Islanders Home House Park
Cup: July 6 Tuesday / July 7 WednesdayTBD US Open Cup Quarterfinals TBD TBD
League: July 9 Friday 6:30 p.m. Rochester Rhinos Away Rochester, NY
League: July 17 Saturday 7:30 p.m. AC St. Louis Home House Park
League: July 31 Saturday 7:30 p.m. Miami FC Blues Home House Park

League: August 7 Saturday 7:30 p.m. FC Tampa Bay Home House Park
League: August 14 Saturday 7:05 p.m. Puerto Rico Islanders Away Bayamon, PR
League: August 22 Sunday 6:00 p.m. Carolina Railhawks Home House Park
League: August 26 Thursday 9:00 p.m. Portland Timbers Away Portland, OR
League: August 29 Sunday 6:00 p.m. Vancouver Whitecaps Away Vancouver, BC

Cup: August 31 Tuesday / September 1 Wednesday TBD US Open Cup Semifinals TBD TBD

League: September 4 Saturday 7:30 p.m. NSC Minnesota Stars Home House Park
League: September 11 Saturday 7:05 p.m. Puerto Rico Islanders Away Bayamon, PR
League: September 16 Thursday 6:30 p.m. FC Tampa Bay Away Tampa, FL
League: September 18 Saturday 7:10 p.m. AC St. Louis Away St. Louis, MO
League: September 25 Saturday 7:30 p.m. AC St. Louis Home House Park

League: October 1 Friday 6:00 p.m. Carolina Railhawks Away Cary, NC
League: October 3 Sunday 1:00 p.m. Montreal Impact Away Montreal, QB




We will be playing several team much more often than others...

• AC St. Louis = 4 times (2 each Home and Away)
• FC Tampa Bay = 4 times (2 each Home and Away)
• Puerto Rico Islander = 4 times (2 each Home and Away)
• Miami FC = 4 times (2 each Home and Away)

With the U.S. Open Cup matches , there's going to be a heavy fixture in the months of June, July & August. And not to mention the World Cup in June.

2010 Austin Aztex Home Schedule

Sunday, April 11 vs. Montreal Impact, 6:00 p.m., House Park
Sunday, April 25 vs. Rochester Rhinos, 6:00 p.m., House Park

Sunday, May 16 vs. Baltimore Crystal Palace, 6:00 p.m. House Park
Wednesday, May 19 vs. FC Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., House Park

Saturday, June 5 vs. Puerto Rico Islanders, 7:30 p.m., House Park
Wednesday, June 9 vs. Portland Timbers, 7:30 p.m., House Park
Saturday, June 12 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 7:30 p.m., House Park
Saturday, June 19 vs. Miami FC, 7:30 p.m., House Park

Saturday, July 3 vs. Puerto Rico Islanders, 7:30 p.m., House Park
Saturday, July 17 vs. AC St. Louis, 7:30 p.m., House Park
Saturday, July 31 vs. Miami FC, 7:30 p.m., House Park

Saturday, August 7 vs. FC Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., House Park
Sunday, August 22 vs. Carolina Railhawks, 6:00 p.m., House Park

Saturday, September 4 vs. NSC Minnesota Stars, 7:30 p.m., House Park
Saturday, September 25 vs. AC St. Louis, 7:30 p.m., House Park


-10 home games are on Saturdays, 2 on Wednesdays, and 3 on Sundays

-The defending league champions, the Montreal Impact, will visit the Aztex in the home opener on Sunday, April 11.

-Games held Wednesday through Saturday will start at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday games start at 6 p.m.

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.

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:

Austin Aztex vs Miami FC Blues Highlights

Austin Aztex vs Minnesota Thunder Highlights

Austin Aztex vs Montreal Impact Highlights

Aztex News & Notes

Aztex Coach's Show airs on AM1300-The Zone tonight at 6:30pm!

Please don't forget to listen to it. I absent-minded forgot to listen to it last week. :-(

Taylor overcomes injury, heads to England

Very classy player. We will miss him here and wish him the best of luck in England. we will be following his progress at Forest Green Rovers FC.

Harwell shining with pros after injury

To me Harwell has been one of the bright spots on the Aztex team. Very good harding working flank midfielder.

Aztex Make More Roster Moves; Copa Aztex is Saturday

Very much needed player additions to the roster. Especially with all of the injuries and loan players that we've been dealing with all season. And I bet you that Kevin Sakuda is glad not to be on the Montreal Impact train wreak. ;-)

And here's a link to what I'm talking about:

Another Montreal Meltdown

Follow Up to Montreal Meltdown




Ouch!! That's a Caption Contest waiting to happen.

Don't forget that Copa Aztex between Cruz Azul & Tigres is this Saturday at 7 pm.

3 vs 3 Aztex Challenge Tournament

The first annual 3v3 Live Aztex Challenge, brought to you locally by your own Austin Aztex FC, is going to be held this Saturday. The tournament starts at 9 a.m. in East Metro Park in Manor.

* 3v3 is the fastest growing soccer format in America!!

* Players love it because:

* It's a non-stop shooting and scoring party - no goalkeepers

* It's easy to understand - no offside rule

* It's easy to play - small playing field

* Everybody gets plenty of time on the ball - lots of touches

This deadline for this tournament is today. So hurry up if you want to participate in this fun tournament.

BONUS: All registered players will receive ONE FREE TICKET to the Aztex vs Timbers game THAT NIGHT.

Website: http://www.3v3live.com

Weekend Thoughts

So far my soccer weekend is a little more bad than good in terms of game results. You have the U.S.A. lack of heart & passion let alone their defense in their 3-1 loss at Costa Rica on Wednesday. And then there's last night's Aztex flat effort against the still unbeaten Charleston Battery. I hope both U.S.A & Austin can bounce back tonight and tomorrow and get some wins under the belt. I will post my thoughts about the qualifiers as well as the Aztex games in my next blog.

The bright spot is that the Aztex U-23 put on a clinic against Houston on Thursday in Bastrop. Tony from Chantico's Army has his summery of the match right here. And base on that, it looked like a very good turnout for the match. much props for those attending the match.

And finally I was able to meet with members of the Crocketteers who were at Cuatros for the U.S.-Costa Rica match on Wednesday & the Aztex-Battery match last night. It was a please to meet their leader & founder Michael Macia along with Daniel Rodriguez and others who are trying to get a soccer team in San Antonio. They're having a good time here in Austin and looking forward to good & positive things ahead.

Until then, GO USA !!! COME ON YOU AZTEX!!!!

Quick Notes On The Aztex Coach's Show & Costa Rica-USA Match

Please make sure you tune in tonight at 6:30pm for the Austin Aztex Coach's Show on AM 1300 The Zone. They will recap on last week's 3-1 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders, preview their upcoming two matches on Friday & Sunday against the unbeaten Charleston Battery. And perhaps recap the FA Cup Final between Everton & Chelsea. Sorry Adrian Heath & Ginge. :-(

There is a change in the Costa Rica-USA match. The game has been moved from ESPN to ESPN2 starting at 8:30pm for pre-game and the match will start at 9:05. The change was made by ESPN so that there will be no conflict with the "basebrawl" going over the schedule time slot. Extra innings in baseball = soccer fans worst nightmare. Plus you can thank the University of Washington (Congratulations) for winning the 2009 NCAA Women's Softball Championships last night so that there won't be a game 3 that was schedule for tonight on ESPN2. Please Florida Gator fans do not send me hate letters for that comment.

Please join me and my fellow Chantico Army members along with some traveling Crocketeers members from San Antonio at Cuatros on 24th at 8:30 pm for the Costa Rica-USA watching party.

GO USA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yordany Alvarez & Lyle Adams Honored

Congratulations to Yordany Alvarez who was named USL-1 Player of the Week for his 2 goals and 1 assist in the Aztex's 3-1 win against Puerto Rico. Also congratulation to Lyle Adams (who had a goal in the game as well) as him and Alvarez made it to USL First Division Team of the Week.

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.

Austin Aztex 3 Puerto Rico Islanders 1

Weather: Hot Attendance: 2019

Summary:
AUS: Yordany Alvarez (Jeff Harwell) 42
AUS: Lyle Adams (Yordany Alvarez) 52
PR: Cristian Arrieta (Sandy Gbandi) 63
AUS: Yordany Alvarez (Ryan McMahen) 87

Cautions
PR: Petter Villegas 10, Kendall Jagdeosingh 65, Josh Hanson 68
AUS: Jeff Harwell 59

Referees: Alejandro Mariscal, Carlos Salas, Jack Damrill, Matthew Foerster


USL Soccer: Official Match Information ** USL First Division **
Puerto Rico Islanders at Austin Aztex 1:3

The Statesman: Aztex get win over Puerto Rico

Austin Aztex: GAME RECAP: Alvarez leads Aztex to 3-1 victory over Islanders

Chantico's Army: Match Report :: USL1 League Match :: Aztex 3, Puerto Rico 1

In Case You Missed Yesterday's Coach's Show.

For those who missed yesterday's or last weeks's Austin Aztex Coach's Show, you can listen or download them here:

Austin Aztex Coach's Show 5-20-09

Austin Aztex Coach's Show 5-27-09

Or you can go to the AM 1300 The Zone's Wake Up Call's Podcast web page.

GrassRoots Austin Stadium Supporters (GRASS)

Ed Easton, who is a member of Chantico's Army, has recently started a group call Grassroots Austin Stadium Supporters (GRASS):

Our Mission
To encourage dialogue between citizens, stakeholders, government officials, and potential developers leading to the construction and enjoyment of a small to medium-sized multipurpose stadium in Austin, Texas.

Our Vision
A centrally located stadium hosting sporting events and concerts, convenient to public transit, that would also serve as the focal point for a mixed use development project for the citizens of Austin.

Please join in to support a soccer stadium here in Austin.

For more info contact admin@austinstadium.org