Soccer Watch
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., March 20, 2015
The Austin Aztex finished their preseason last Saturday on a high note, thumping the defending NASL champion San Antonio Scorpions, 4-1 – behind two goals each from midfielders Guaraci and Brendan King – to take first blood in the much-anticipated Hill Country Derby rivalry. Now comes the real test: In just over a week, the Aztex face their USL season opener, hosting the Colorado Springs Switchbacks March 28 at House Park, in the first game of their first pro season. This Tuesday, the Aztex officially added Guaraci to their roster, along with two other international players who saw action against San Antonio: Brazilian defender Fernando Timbo, who, like Guaraci, arrives here from Brazilian power Coritiba FC, plus Trinidad and Tobago national team striker Trevin Caesar, who was with the Scorpions last year... Making a late appearance for the Aztex was Bubacarr Jobe, a highly regarded youngster from Gambia via the Woodlands, who played sparingly with the Aztex last year when he was still in high school. He's not on the official roster as of yet, but don't be surprised if he sticks around. Also expected soon are the four players to be assigned from Columbus Crew SC, as part of the affiliation agreement between the clubs.
With a win earlier in the preseason over the Houston Dynamo (also on the road), the Aztex are left with FC Dallas as the only pro team in the state they haven't beaten... Dallas, meanwhile, is the only team in MLS with a perfect record after two games. And the two expansion teams – NYC and Orlando – are tied for first in the East. Looks like an interesting year in the bigs.
The European Champions League Round of 16 concludes today, Wednesday, with Barcelona-Manchester City (2:45pm on Fox Sports 1). Unless Man City can reverse a 2-1 home loss in the first leg, England will be shut out of the final eight for the second time in three years. The quarterfinals are April 14-22... On our side of the pond, the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals are underway, with two relatively small clubs from Costa Rica taking on two North Americans. Herediano-Club América was Tuesday as we went to press. Alajuelense at Montreal Impact is 7pm tonight, Wed., March 18, on Fox Sports 2, with the return legs April 7-8, and the home-and-away final April 22 & 29.
The Austin Aztex 2015 Season
The Aztex play 28 games in all, with 14 at home at House Park. Eleven of those home games are played on a Saturday, and all games kick off at 8pm.
The Aztex play home and away against each of the 11 other teams in the USL Western Conference, plus extra games against our closest geographical rivals.
To start the season, seven of the first 10 games will be played at home, where the Aztex were 20-3-3 in their three years in USL PDL.
Did I mention there's now a beer garden?
Sat., March 28, 8pm – Colorado Springs
Wed., Apr. 1, 8pm – Vancouver
Sat., Apr. 4, 7pm – at Tulsa
Sat., Apr. 11, 8pm – Arizona
Sun., Apr. 19, 7pm – at LA
Sat., Apr. 25, 8pm – Colorado Springs
Fri., May 1, 8pm – OKC
Sat., May 9, 8pm – Real Monarchs
Sat., May 16, 9:30pm – at Arizona
Sat., May 23, 8pm – Tulsa
Sun., May 31, 7pm – at OKC
Sat., June 6, 10pm – at Sacramento
Sun., June 14, 8pm – at Portland
Sat., June 20, 8pm – Tulsa
Sat., June 27, 8pm – Sacramento
Fri., July 3, 8pm – at Colorado Springs
Sat., July 11, 8pm – at Real Monarchs (SLC)
Fri., July 17, 8pm – Arizona
Sat., July 25, 9:30pm – at Arizona
Sat., Aug. 1, 8pm – Portland
Sat., Aug. 8, 9pm – at Orange County
Sat., Aug. 15, 8pm – LA
Sat., Aug. 22, 8pm – Orange County
Sat., Aug. 29, 7pm – at OKC
Sat., Sept. 5, 8pm – Seattle
Wed., Sept. 9, 8pm – at Colorado Springs
Thu., Sept. 17, 9:30pm – at Seattle
Sun., Sept. 20, 5pm – at Vancouver
