The Austin Aztex host the PDL’s El Paso Patriots in a second-round U.S. Open Cup match tonight, 7:30pm at Nelson Field. A reminder: This is a knockout tournament; like all Open Cup games it will go to overtime, and penalty kicks, if necessary to decide a winner.

The Aztex will be happy to be home, after a horror road trip that saw travel problems, a 4-1 loss in Puerto Rico, a 2-0 loss in Miami, and injuries to Eddie Johnson, Miguel Gallardo, and Kieron Bernard, three key starters – all doubtful for tonight’s game. Still, the Aztex should be okay against an amateur opponent whom the Aztex U-23 squad has already beaten twice this year.

There’s a big prize on the line: The winner gets to host the Houston Dynamo in the third round, on Tuesday, June 30.

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