The Austin Aztex finally got their offense untracked last Friday, blasting Arizona United, 4-1, their most complete game of the season. The four goals were the most they’ve scored this season, and equaled their output from the previous eight games combined. The win leaves the Aztex still in 11th place in the USL Western Conference, but now just three points out of sixth place and a playoff spot. They’ll look to keep the streak going this Saturday in a return match in Arizona, before returning home to face Portland Timbers 2 next Saturday, Aug. 1.
Bidding continues through 9am Friday, July 31, for three lucky fans to play a 3v3 game against the U.S. national team stars Brian Ching, Stuart Holden, and Landon Donovan at halftime of the Aug. 1 Portland game, to sit with them in the second half, or get an autographed jersey. Proceeds benefit the Aztex Soccer Foundation. The three former players are founders of Helm Soccer School, and they’re in town for the three-day camp, taking place July 31-Aug. 2 at Onion Creek Soccer Complex. More info at www.helmsoccer.com.
Donovan, Ching, and Holden will also participate in a panel discussion and reception hosted by the nonprofit organization Soccer Assist to discuss HELM, Soccer Assist, and their shared interests in improving access for underserved youth. Thursday, July 30, 7-9pm at the Waller Ballroom, 700 E. Sixth. Tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for kids, and the first 50 to register will get a photo with the panelists. Drinks and appetizers will be served. All proceeds benefit Soccer Assist; more info at www.soccerassist.org.
The U.S. men got a hat trick from Clint Dempsey to crush Cuba, 6-0, in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals last Saturday. They face Jamaica in the semifinals as we go to press Wednesday, with the final at 6:30pm this Sunday, July 26, in Philadelphia against either Mexico or Panama (live on FS1). The third-place game is 3pm Saturday on FS2.
Electronic Arts announced this week that Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair will be the first women to appear on the cover of its EA Sports FIFA video game. Morgan will share the cover of FIFA 16 with Lionel Messi in the U.S. edition to be released Sept. 22; Sinclair will appear with Messi on the Canadian edition. And for the first time, gamers will be able to play as one of a dozen different women’s national teams… And in further fallout from the wildly popular Women’s World Cup, attendance at the National Women’s Soccer League is way up this summer.
This article appears in July 24 • 2015.