Aztex in U.S. Open Cup Play Tonight
Aztex host Brilla at Nelson Field
By Nick Barbaro, 3:46AM, Tue. Jun. 9, 2009
The Austin Aztex kick off the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament tonight at Nelson Field, 7:30pm against the Mississippi Brilla, leaders of the Premier Development League Southeast Division. $15; Nelson Field, off Berkman just north of U.S. 290.
The Open Cup, one of the oldest tournaments in the world, is open to all affiliated amateur and pro teams in the U.S.; top-level rec league teams have been known to advance through the first few rounds, but the top of the bracket pretty much belongs to the MLS and USL-1. The Aztex got what looks like a favorable draw in this year's tournament, facing only amateurs in the first two rounds; if they beat Mississippi, they get another home game in the next round next Tuesday, June 16, against the Arizona Sahuaros or El Paso Patriots. The third round is the payoff: a date with an MLS team, most likely Chivas USA or Houston Dynamo, for a spot in the quarterfinals.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
