The time has come at last; your Austin Aztex USL-1 squad plays its first-ever game this Saturday, hosting the New England Revolution, MLS Cup finalists three of the past four years, and the first MLS team to visit Austin since … well, let’s make that the trivia question of the week. Find me at La Palapa (see below), and I’ll buy you a drink. Aztex spokesman Kyle Dalton says the teams scrimmaged Wednesday morning, and “people are going to be impressed” with the quality the Aztex put on the field. The roster is still coming together, but this week at least, you can catch some of the fan favorites and local products who were with the Aztex U-23 squad last year, including Beto Papandrea, Josh Alcala, Willy “Speed” Guadarrama, and Zach Pope, all vying to join the pro roster for this year. 7:30pm Saturday, Feb. 28, at Nelson Field (next to Reagan High, off US 290 and Cameron Rd.) $20 and $30; see www.austinaztex.com to order. Some supporters are meeting pre-game at La Palapa, across the parking lot from the stadium, starting at 5pm. Next up: Houston Dynamo March 7, Columbus Crew March 14.
This article appears in February 20 • 2009.