Coach/Player Speculation

[VioletCrown]

In response to a post over on the original Aztex thread, it seemed appropriate to me to discuss possible players and the coach.

According to the Aztex website, whoever is theU-23 coach this year will be the USL-1 coach next year. I can't find it now, but I seem to recall that they've had a good number of inquiries for the coaching position.

The one name that I can come up with that has any pedigree is Marco Ferruzzi (http://web.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t104&player=ferruzzi_m), who played for the PDL San Antonio team, if I remember right.

As to players, the U-23's are allowed up to 8 o-23 players. A lot of players on the fringes of MLS teams end up on USL-1 teams. This would be a good way to try and make a USL-1 team, and I think there are a number of central Texas players around that could find their way back home.

The first one that comes to mind is A. J. Godbolt, who was on KC last year, and is doing who knows what now. But I heard him on 1300 AM in the past couple weeks -- his dad is Bucky Godbolt who hosts the morning show.

I also wonder if Jacob Thomas would be interested in coming 'home.' He was with the Columbus Crew for the past two years, but he's been dropped, it looks like. Reading through the Crew Roster '08 thread, he appears to have been injured most of last year. He played for the Lone Stars before going to Germany. He may have been away from here long enough that he wouldn't be interested. I also don't recall how old he is.

Anyway, there's three thoughts, and it covers all the central Texas players I know of. But I know at least one was drafted to MLS this year. Maybe he could come home if he doesn't make it in MLS.

Anyone else got any ideas?

(anyone says Ronaldinho or the like, I'll neg rep em!;))

[Rooneys Hairline]

The first one that comes to mind is A. J. Godbolt, who was on KC last year, and is doing who knows what now. But I heard him on 1300 AM in the past couple weeks -- his dad is Bucky Godbolt who hosts the morning show.

Sad that Bucky and Erin parted ways (at least temporarily) due to some boneheaded moves on 1300's part here recently. I had hoped A.J. would get a chance to play in KC, but I don't even see his name on their roster anymore.

It seems strange to me that the U-23 coach for this year will automatically be the First Division team coach next year. Maybe he's being appointed the "head of coaching" for the entire club and that's part of the gig.

Do USL-1 players typically work other jobs? I remember the Lone Stars players back in the day having to do this, but that was a Third Division team IIRC.

[TwoMeters]

According to the Aztex website, whoever is theU-23 coach this year will be the USL-1 coach next year. I can't find it now, but I seem to recall that they've had a good number of inquiries for the coaching position.

http://www.austinaztex.com/home/223992.html

The Aztex also revealed at the meeting that the organization has received over 30 applications for Head Coach of the team and almost 20 applications for Assistant Coach. Rawlins told the local players that the head coach in the U23 season will be the same Head Coach that will direct the First Division season in 2009.:)

[VioletCrown]

Sad that Bucky and Erin parted ways (at least temporarily) due to some boneheaded moves on 1300's part here recently. I had hoped A.J. would get a chance to play in KC, but I don't even see his name on their roster anymore.

It seems strange to me that the U-23 coach for this year will automatically be the First Division team coach next year. Maybe he's being appointed the "head of coaching" for the entire club and that's part of the gig.

Do USL-1 players typically work other jobs? I remember the Lone Stars players back in the day having to do this, but that was a Third Division team IIRC.

No, A.J. was definitely dropped. He said so on the radio.

Regarding the salaries, in a quick search, I found this article on the RailHawks (http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=155083) which says "Earning salaries ranging from $1,500 to $4,500 per month..."

Who knows if that's what the Aztex are planning on, but $1500 per month ain't gonna go too far, especially since that's only a 'during season' pay, typically.

Looks to me at that rate, some players will need an extra job, but others might not.

[Roma_Wolves]

It'd be cool if someone with some extra time and initiative could make a list of potential coaches (USL, College, MLS Assistants) that would be likely candidates for us. I don't even know where to begin with the speculation, which even if it's way off the mark is still a fun exercise. Aztexan blog guy?

Holy crap! I just typed in Aztexan looking for the blog and found the perfect jersey advertiser:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/maxf736/logo-chief3.gif
http://www.aztexan.com/

[Rooneys Hairline]

It'd be cool if someone with some extra time and initiative could make a list of potential coaches (USL, College, MLS Assistants)
Sam Allardyce isn't doing anything right now.

[TwoMeters]

LOL, I know, that's why I had to put the blog on aztexan.net. ;-)

They are in Austin, though...

[Roma_Wolves]

Sam Allardyce isn't doing anything right now.

Mourinho either. Hmm.

[chapulincolorado]

I'll throw it here because he has been rumored he might arrive at Chivas USA.
He is ready.
He is rested.
Can we get him?



Zinedine Zidane


http://lagalaxy.theoffside.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/zidane2.jpg





There.....I said it!








:D

[duality72]

Chris Veselka was a big player for the Lone Stars. He was playing with some lower level men's rec team in AMSA this past fall (I reffed a couple of his games). Don't know how old he is now, but he looked *very* fit and dominated the opposition (granted, they were rec players).

[VioletCrown]

Chris Veselka was a big player for the Lone Stars. He was playing with some lower level men's rec team in AMSA this past fall (I reffed a couple of his games). Don't know how old he is now, but he looked *very* fit and dominated the opposition (granted, they were rec players).

Man, it would be weird seeing Veselka back out there. My inclination would be to expect that he was too old... but if he's in good enough shape, why not?

I'm looking forward to watching the tryouts to see if any other old Lone Stars come out of the woodwork. Gabe Jones? There might be a couple others that, if still in shape, could contribute.

[Native Aztexan]

Man, it would be weird seeing Veselka back out there. My inclination would be to expect that he was too old... but if he's in good enough shape, why not?

I'm looking forward to watching the tryouts to see if any other old Lone Stars come out of the woodwork. Gabe Jones? There might be a couple others that, if still in shape, could contribute.
I was about to mention Gabe Jones as well on the coaching list. Or how about Roy Lassiter?

I wonder if Norberto Papandrea is joining the Aztex.

[VioletCrown]

I was about to mention Gabe Jones as well on the coaching list. Or how about Roy Lassiter?

I wonder if Norberto Papandrea is joining the Aztex.

Gabe's been coaching? I wouldn't think of him as a head coach, but as an assistant, certainly. I wonder if he's still chewing tobacco.

Is Lassiter really around here? And coaching? I know he had a game with the very short lived Austin Posse.

Papandrea. There's a name that's been around a long time.

[VioletCrown]

Is Lassiter really around here? And coaching? I know he had a game with the very short lived Austin Posse.

Answering my own question, from his Wiki page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Lassiter):

Lassiter was the director of coaching at the Austin United Capital soccer club based in Austin, Texas from 2005 until 2007. He holds a USSF "A" and Youth National License and has been a Director of Coaching in the Austin area for 5 years. He is also on the South Texas Region III Staff for ODP (Olympic Development Program).

Now *there* would be a very interesting choice for head coach. He's no longer listed on the Caps United website (http://www.austinsoccer.org/index.php?ct=sel_staff), though.

[Native Aztexan]

Gabe's been coaching? I wouldn't think of him as a head coach, but as an assistant, certainly. I wonder if he's still chewing tobacco.

Is Lassiter really around here? And coaching? I know he had a game with the very short lived Austin Posse.

Papandrea. There's a name that's been around a long time.
The last time I heard about Rocket Roy was that he's running & coaching a soccer camp in Dripping Springs.

EDIT: Found some info:

http://www.yourcommunityguide.org/guide/?cl=3008

[Rooneys Hairline]

Is that the same Roy Lassiter that played for Tampa? Had no idea he was from around here.

[Roma_Wolves]

I was about to mention Gabe Jones as well on the coaching list. Or how about Roy Lassiter?

I wonder if Norberto Papandrea is joining the Aztex.

As far as Lightning players, I wouldn't mind seeing Nick Torres out there, at least for the PDL side (not sure how old he is). He was quick and hardworking, leading goal scorer too, I think.

[Roma_Wolves]

Is that the same Roy Lassiter that played for Tampa? Had no idea he was from around here.

He was on that one team, Austin Posse or something, which played like 2 matches and then disappeared.

[VioletCrown]

Is that the same Roy Lassiter that played for Tampa? Had no idea he was from around here.

Yep. He's not from around here originally. Grew up in Raleigh. His wiki page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Lassiter) has lots of info, but doesn't have the little scandal (at least, as far as I could see in a quick scan) -- he was playing down in Costa Rica, but called up for the nats. He was wanted for something in North Carolina, and an officer noticed him in a nats game on TV. They had to go through a process to extradite him from CR, if I remember correctly.

I don't remember the details of the offense, but I it was probably something minor.

He once held the career scoring record in MLS, and still holds the single season record.

[TwoMeters]

Saw this when I searched for him earlier.
http://www.answers.com/topic/roy-lassiter

It does have info on the "brush with the law" (as they call it). Sounds like a very unfortunate turn to a good career. :(