Friday night is the last game of the Austin Aztex‘s six-weekend home stand, and the next-to-last home game of the entire season. Don’t miss the chance to see this remarkable young team as they try to regain their early-season form against the Laredo Heat to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
The Aztex, recently cruising at the top of the PDL Mid South, have run into a buzz saw the last couple of weeks against the division’s other two top teams – losing 2-0 to Laredo last week, then 2-1 to El Paso Saturday, and 1-0 in Laredo Tuesday night. The loss to El Paso was a tough one: nine yellow cards, plus two straight reds (one to each team), and the losing goal conceded against the run of play in the 88th minute. The Aztex’s goal came on a Kris Tyrpak header off an inch-perfect cross from Zack Pope. The loss in Laredo sounds like it was evenly played – the Aztex outshot the Heat 6-1 in the second half, but again, were apparently unable to create the decisive runs and through passes that seemed to come so easily back when they scored a startling 13 goals in their first two home games. Two things they were doing then that they can’t seem to do now: establish a player who can hold possession in the middle of the attacking third and distribute from there; and find seams in the defense for diagonal runs toward the center of the field, instead of away from the goal.
With the three-game losing streak, Austin’s now in a tie with El Paso for second place in the division and has to play first-place Laredo twice more in the next five days (Friday here, Wednesday there). With just two teams advancing to the playoffs, the Aztex have little margin for error. Friday, June 22, 7:30pm; House Park, 13th & Lamar. $10; kids 10 and under free. Friday is coed soccer night; see www.acsasoccer.org for discount info. … The Aztex have the fifth-highest attendance in the 73-team PDL, with an average of 1,311 fans a game.
It’s been a great European Championship thus far: With the group stage just ended, the quarterfinals start today, Thursday-Sunday, June 21-24. Here are my picks and previews:
Thu.: Portugal over Czech Republic. The Czechs won the weakest group despite losing to Russia 4-1; Portugal showed flashes of brilliance in surviving the Group of Death.
Fri.: Germany over Greece. As go the economies, so goes the game; I see little hope for Greece in either arena. Germany deserves their No. 2 world ranking.
Sat.: Spain over France. After winning this tournament four years ago, and the World Cup two years ago, the Spanish look ready to pull off an unprecedented trifecta. France? Meh.
Sun.: England-Italy. As an Italy fan, I’ve been pleased, but not convinced, by this new-look squad: They’re open and creative, and their two mercurial strikers have been very good so far, but I have this sneaky fear that everything could go pear-shaped at any moment. England, meanwhile, have been a delight, with some exciting young players blending with the familiar faces, and Wayne Rooney now back from suspension. Call this a toss-up, and the best game of the round – on paper.
Which would set up a tasty semifinal round, Wednesday-Thursday, June 27-28.
Wed.: Spain over Portugal. An Iberian rivalry with a lot of subplots.
Thu.: Germany over England or Italy. Either way, ESPN’s Brit announcers get to trot out their World War II metaphors.
That would put Spain-Germany in the final next Sunday, July 1: deservedly one-two in the world rankings, and a fitting finale. All games are at 1:45pm on ESPN, and ESPN3 online.
ESPN’s ratings are almost triple what they were four years ago for Euro 2008, and Austin is in the Top 10 viewing markets in the nation. And they’re killing it in Europe, of course, where the games are on in evening prime time and market share is well over 50% in all the major countries.
This article appears in June 22 • 2012.