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Soccer
Aztex Have a League!
Nick Barbaro
Thu Jan 7, 3:24pm
Tags: Austin Aztex
The U.S. Soccer Federation announced today a settlement of the Division 2 civil war between the United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League, creating a 12-team, two-division league for 2010, much like the divisions we published in today's print edition.
The Austin Aztex press release concerning the settlement appears below.
England-U.S. Drawn for World Cup Opener
Nick Barbaro
Fri Dec 4, 12:57pm
, 2009
Tags: World Cup
England vs. the U.S. on the opening Saturday night (noon-thirty here in Austin) is one of the highlights of the World Cup schedule drawn today. A Brazil-Portugal breakfast game on the last day of the group stage is another. It's in South Africa, June 11-July 11. Full schedule, with local times, below.
USL-1 Continues to Shrink
Nick Barbaro
Wed Dec 2, 7:33pm
, 2009
The United Soccer Leagues First Division, jolted Monday by the Rochester Rhinos' defection to the fledgling North American Soccer League, was further hit Wednesday by a report on internationalsoccernetwork.com that the Cleveland City Stars have ceased operations.
Fallout From 'Le Main de Dieu'
Nick Barbaro
Fri Nov 20, 2:56pm
, 2009
From the Headline Wire:
• "French president Sarkozy apologizes to Ireland" for the Thierry Henry hand-ball that knocked Ireland out of next year's World Cup. ("I told Brian Cowen how sorry I was for them," said Sarkozy.)
• "Economic fallout in Ireland over elimination" ("It would have lifted the gloom and got people spending.")
• "French president Sarkozy apologizes to Ireland" for the Thierry Henry hand-ball that knocked Ireland out of next year's World Cup. ("I told Brian Cowen how sorry I was for them," said Sarkozy.)
• "Economic fallout in Ireland over elimination" ("It would have lifted the gloom and got people spending.")
Aztex Clean House
Nick Barbaro
Fri Nov 6, 2:17pm
, 2009
Tags: Austin Aztex
After falling short of the playoffs this year the Austin Aztex have announced that they will not be picking up the 2010 options on 14 players from their '09 squad. See below the jump for coach Adrian Heath's comments and a list of the players released.
Gold Stars... for Citizenship, Sexual Expression, and Now, SOCCER!
Frank J. Rivera
Wed Oct 28, 2:32pm
, 2009
It's not like it's difficult to crack jokes about gay boys playing soccer… Gay Pimp's "Soccer Practice," anyone? But after watching Austin's Gold Stars play, I'm afraid they might (excuse the parlance) cut a bitch.
Reduced Prices for Aztex's Labor Day Finale
Nick Barbaro
Sun Sep 6, 2:24pm
, 2009
Tags: Austin Aztex
The Austin Aztex have announced that their Labor Day home finale is Fan Appreciation Night: $15 adults/$12 kids. And youth soccer players who wear a team jersey or Aztex jersey get in free. That's Monday, Sept. 7, 6pm kickoff. And, it's a chance to see No. 1, Miguel Gallardo, back in uniform for the first time since he broke his leg back in June.
United Soccer Leagues Sold
Nick Barbaro
Thu Aug 27, 2:09pm
, 2009
This news just came in, as a press release from NuRock Soccer Holdings, LLC. The USL, of course, is the league in which the Austin Aztex play.
New Home, New Faces for the Aztex
Nick Barbaro
Wed Aug 26, 5:41pm
, 2009
The Austin Aztex play their next-to-last home game of the season this weekend – hosting Miami at 7:30pm Saturday, Aug. 29 at Nelson Field – and while they're all but out of the playoff hunt, they have a few things to celebrate. The organization made three pretty big announcements this week:
Horns Look to Rebound Friday Against U of H
Nick Barbaro
Wed Aug 26, 5:34pm
, 2009
The UT Longhorns dropped their season opener Friday, 2-1 to TCU, and with it went a 26-game home unbeaten streak, dating back to 2006. It was a disappointing performance – the Horns were outshot 14-7, and let an unheralded Horned Frog squad totally dominate for long stretches – but as I noted last week, this is a young team, and they'll get better as the season progresses.
Aztex Sign Two Additional Players
Nick Barbaro
Wed Aug 26, 10:23am
, 2009
As part of their ongoing rebuilding process for 2010 the Austin Aztex are about to announce the signing of two new players: an exciting new face – defender Salif Diao-Jimenez – and the return of an old Aztex favorite, forward Jamie Watson.
Longhorns Opener Friday; Aztex on TV Sunday
Nick Barbaro
Wed Aug 19, 7:44pm
, 2009
The UT Longhorns open their season this Friday, hosting TCU at 7pm, Aug. 21. UT has never lost to TCU, and has a 26-game home unbeaten streak, dating back to 2006. The very young Horns will start four or five freshmen; two to watch: Brazilian-born and Chicago-raised Leah Fortune, who had UT's lone goal, and over half of the team's shots, in a 2-1 exhibition loss last Friday at LSU, and midfielder Sophie Campise, out of Dallas' Ursuline Academy. There's a special $3 Opening Night Bundle: one ticket, one popcorn, and a discount coupon to Longhorns, Ltd.; advance sale only; call 232-3865.
Aztex Roster Gets a Boost for Sunday
Nick Barbaro
Fri Aug 14, 3:46pm
, 2009
Tags: Austin Aztex
This good news just in from the Austin Aztex front office, in advance of the Minnesota game Sunday at 6pm:
One Season Winding Down, Others About to Begin
Nick Barbaro
Wed Aug 12, 7:35pm
, 2009
It's gotten dire for the Austin Aztex playoff hopes: They've earned just one point in their last seven games, and been shut out in their last three (all on the road). Now, of the eight games left in the season, they need to win six. They'll be looking to get on track at home this Sunday against fellow strugglers Minnesota Thunder. Strikers Gifton Noel-Williams and Kyle Brown are both out on red card suspensions, leaving Eddie Johnson and Sullivan Silva up front – but that's probably OK; those two have been their most productive attackers all year. 6pm Sunday, Aug. 16 at Nelson Field. Only two home games left after this one!
Backs Against the Wall
Nick Barbaro
Thu Aug 6, 1:29am
, 2009
The Austin Aztex dropped a pair of games in the Carolinas last week: 1-0 to Charleston and 3-0 to Carolina. No disgrace there – those are two of the top teams in the USL First Division – but their playoff chances are rapidly slipping away. Realistically, the Aztex need at least six wins in their last nine games to be in the hunt. The team plays at Rochester this Saturday, then returns home next weekend... In other USL news, the Puerto Rico Islanders advanced into the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League for a second straight year, ousting the MLS' Toronto FC Tuesday night. The group stage will run Aug. 18-Oct. 22.
Below: WC qualifying, WPS finale, and more
Aztex Let One Get Away
Nick Barbaro
Wed Jul 29, 7:46pm
, 2009
The Austin Aztex lost a golden chance to make up ground in the playoff chase Saturday, giving up two goals to the Montreal Impact in the last 13 minutes and settling for a 2-2 draw that felt more like a loss by the end. The Aztex dominated early in the second half, and got a goal and an assist each from Gifton Noel-Williams and A.J. Godbolt, before the meltdown. Montreal actually put the ball in the net five times in a 12-minute span, but three strikes were ruled out for offsides. Then after all that, the Aztex appeared to have snatched back a win in extra time, but Ryan Caugherty was judged to have fouled the Montreal keeper before scoring. So begins a tough three-game road swing, starting with Charleston and Carolina this Thursday and Saturday. The good news: the Aztex will have striker Jean Alexandre back on loan from Real Salt Lake; he nailed the probable goal of the year last month in Puerto Rico.
Copa Aztex Highlights
Mark Fagan
Wed Jul 22, 6:38pm
, 2009
The first-ever Copa Aztex hosted by the Austin Aztex and UT was a smashing success. In attendance were 7,044 futbol devotees (a Mike A. Myers record – which some fans suggest is inaccurately low) from as far away as Mexico who kept their horns blaring throughout. The game ended in a 1-1 tie between Cruz Azul (in blue) and the Tigres (in yellow) with Cruz Azul getting the victory by coin toss due to travel commitments. Here are some highlights from the game.
Aztex Host Impact on Saturday
Nick Barbaro
Wed Jul 22, 6:19pm
, 2009
The Austin Aztex have just four home games left in their inaugural season; the first of those is this Saturday, hosting the Montreal Impact, one of the teams they'll have to pass to get into the USL-1 playoffs. The Aztex have been playing well recently but not getting results; this is one they really need to win, against a team with a lot of talent but a toxic clubhouse chemistry at the moment (see Jeremy Olson's photo website to see what I mean). Bring a nonperishable food item to donate, and get in for just $15. Sat., July 25, 7:30pm. Nelson Field, 7400 Berkman, just north of U.S. 290.
The Copa Aztex and More Soccer News
Nick Barbaro
Wed Jul 15, 6:16pm
, 2009
The Austin Aztex and the University of Texas present the first-ever Copa Aztex, featuring two of Mexico’s biggest professional men’s soccer clubs, Cruz Azul and Tigres, at UT’s Mike A. Myers Stadium, 7pm, Saturday, July 18. It’s the final preseason tune-up for the clubs, who open the 2009 Apertura season next week. Tickets are $30 and $50. Doors open at 4pm, with a pregame concert by Espinoza Paz. This could be a huge deal for soccer in Austin, not just because of the game itself but because it’s the first time UT has teamed with an outside entity to use its gorgeous Myers Stadium. (Another first for both the Aztex and Myers: “adult beverages” at the pregame beer garden!) This event is the beginning of a three-year agreement between UT and the Aztex.
Important Home Games for the Aztex This Weekend
Nick Barbaro
Thu Jul 9, 5:41pm
, 2009
Tags: Austin Aztex
Both Austin Aztex squads have key home games this weekend: The First Division team hosts the Portland Timbers Saturday night, sorely needing a win to get back into the playoff chase; a split on the road last weekend (1-0 over Cleveland for their first road win of the year, followed by a sluggish 4-1 loss at Rochester) left them two points out of seventh place. For Hispanic Heritage Night, the Aztex are offering a special promotion: four tickets, plus four tacos and four drinks, all for just $40. Saturday, July 11, 7:30pm at Nelson Field, 7400 Berkman, just north of Highway 290.
The 'Statesman' Shares Their Ignorance of Soccer
Nick Barbaro
Thu Jul 9, 5:34pm
, 2009
I have to weigh in on Ken Herman’s aggressively dumb anti-soccer rant on Tuesday’s Statesman editorial page: “Paging Joe McCarthy” to counter Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s support for the U.S. bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. Herman seems determined to prove he can show off his ignorance on the editorial page (proudly disavowing any “actual knowledge of the game”), as he did for so long on the legislative beat, before following good pal G.W. Bush up to the Washington bureau.
Aztex Bow Out of U.S. Open Cup
Nick Barbaro
Thu Jul 2, 11:00am
, 2009
Tags: Austin Aztex
Speed kills. It killed the Austin Aztex last night, as the Houston Dynamo, probably the top team in the MLS, knocked the Aztex out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 win at Nelson Field. Halftime sub Corey Ashe scored the decisive goal on a rebound off a diving Sam Reynolds save in the 71st minute, then got free down the left flank for a gorgeous cross into the box that Dominic Oduro converted into the clincher in the final minute of the game.
Aztex U-23s Suffer Through Rough Road Trip
Nick Barbaro
Wed Jul 1, 6:09pm
, 2009
Tags: Austin Aztex
The Aztex U-23s had a rough road trip last weekend – a 1-1 draw against the Laredo Heat on Friday, followed by a 5-1 loss to Rio Grande Valley on Sunday leaving the Azteclets tied with El Paso for first place in the PDL Mid South Division with four games left to play. They host third-place Laredo this Friday, July 3, 7:30pm, at Bobcat Soccer Complex in San Marcos – a huge game, since only the Top 2 teams make the playoffs.
USL Shines in U.S. Open Cup
Nick Barbaro
Wed Jul 1, 1:50pm
, 2009
United Soccer League teams won four games out of six in their first day of competition against "Major League" Soccer in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In the biggest surprises on Tuesday night, the defending champion Columbus Crew lost at home to the Rochester Rhinos, and New England lost at home to Harrisburg City of the USL-2. In fact, the only MLS wins were by the Kansas City Wizards in penalty kicks, and D.C. United beating the amateur Ocean City Barons.
Is It Time to Care About Soccer? Stephen Colbert Thinks So.
Wed Jul 1, 1:45pm
, 2009
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