Tryout Reports

[VioletCrown]

As far as the players were concerned, it was a beautiful day yesterday. Me, I got cold. I met Phil Rawlins, David Markley and Hugh Bender. They were generous with the Aztex t-shirts. If you've heard the Beatles talk, you'd recognize Rawlins' accent(damn, did I just show my age, or what?). At least, to my ear. There might be differences, but Stoke is up toward Manchester and Liverpool, so it makes sense.

Not that it has anything to do with the tryouts.

It's hard to give any sort of reasonable assessment since there were over a hundred players there. They broke up into three or four small-field games. I didn't count the players, but it was pretty crowded, so it could very well have been full 11 on 11. The soccer field there at St. Ed's is bizarrely long -- probably a full third of additional field behind one of the goals. So there was enough room to run two very small field games as well as two half-field games.

I only watched through noon -- they played full field games from 2 - 4, which I didn't go back for.

Adrian Heath was there -- short guy! Maybe that's where the 'Inchy' comes from. Probably shouldn't speculate any further.

I mostly ended up watching one of the two half-field games because I started chatting with a mom that had brought her son (left middie) down from Oklahoma. So he was the one person that I had any info at all on. He stayed almost on the sideline most of the time he was in, and served in some nice crosses. Later, I learned about a really short dark guy (controlling mid) that plays in the AMSA Premier League. From Brazil. During the stuff I watched, he didn't get to do much, but his friend that was watching from the sidelines was really high on him.

There were three people that stood out to me -- a guy that I think had an Arabic name, kinda tall. He had a nice touch and worked really well through all the traffic. The other two were a big defender and a big keeper. The keeper stayed in a long time compared to other keepers that were being rotated out, and made a couple solid plays. He mostly was loud and seemed, to my eye and ear, to direct traffic well. Made me think that he's already high on their list. The defender in front of him was also in a long time. He rolled forward a couple times, and looked like one of those that, once he gets a head of steam going, is hard to stop.

Names?

Ha! I don't know anyone that plays anymore. I thought about taking notes, but it was all a mass of unknowns. Each side had its own 'coach', none of whom I recognized. Rawlins and Heath were off to the side (when I noticed. I'm clearly not the best reporter here -- I was only watching the soccer, not the coaches, which would've probably told me more than the soccer did).

All in all, I thought the level of play was pretty decent. Overheard a couple players complaining to each other about the other players not working space. I imagine it's a really tough thing, to want to show well yourself, yet also show your soccer brain.

The field was a little hard so there were more than a few awkward bounces, but I heard that it's already a lot better than it was a few weeks ago.

I saw a few good tackles and nice sportsmanship between the players. Which was cool. One well-taken goal by a guy in a Messi jersey. There were other goals in the game I watched, but it took a while to get there.

They started the games without keepers, then added keepers around 11.

All the practice jerseys had the Aztex logo on them. Not that I have any clue about how much something like that costs to print up, but it's another small indication that these guys have their act together. That, and finding 8 or so assistant coaches to herd the players around.

Today, they went from 10-12, but the cold kinda got to me yesterday. That, and the time change, so I wimped out on this morning. Hopefully someone else went. I am planning on going next Saturday.

Oh, right, one last thing -- they are working on a shield/badge type logo. And are entertained by our attempts.:)

[Schwalker]

Nice to hear that we are putting some effort into this...;)

You guys might laugh but to me it´s astonishing that you can meet a club owner just there.
It´s probably easier for me to arrange a meeting with the German head of state than exchanging words with the people that dwell in the hallowed corridors of my local clubs board.

[VioletCrown]

Nice to hear that we are putting some effort into this...;)

You guys might laugh but to me it´s astonishing that you can meet a club owner just there.
It´s probably easier for me to arrange a meeting with the German head of state than exchanging words with the people that dwell in the hallowed corridors of my local clubs board.

No way I'd laugh at you. I think it's safe to assume that football over there is like any major sport here. What are the odds that I'd be able to meet Nolan Ryan (owner of the minor league Round Rock Express)? Let alone Mark Cuban or any other non-MLS owner?

It's pretty amazing what the SoB's have done up in Philadelphia.

I never imagined that I'd get an email back from Phil Rawlins when I wrote one in to the Aztex. And I really wasn't expecting to get a t-shirt handed to me by him when I went out there yesterday. But there he was, walking around the field introducing himself to parents and other onlookers.

But that's the reality of the sport here. If a team's going to survive, even the owners need to be accessible (see St. Louis, Philadelphia, Seattle). I think some owners over here understand that we're all making a choice to spend our time and money on them when we have lots of other options. And the appreciation goes both ways (for some of them, anyway).

[Schwalker]

In my area of Germany people tend to be fanatical about their füssball teams and those that run the clubs have both money and a lot of political clout which of course makes them enemies...hence the "isolation" from common people I guess.

But back to Aztexs...It bodes well that Rawlins is a genuine guy, Stoke is situated smack in the middle between Birmingham and Manchester/Liverpool so his accent can have several roots I guess..not that it matters :D

[TwoMeters]

Great write-up, Eric, thanks for that. We inadvertently tag-teamed; I didn't go on Saturday, but did go on Sunday morning. I was there from about 10:30 to 11:30. It was cool, but not cold; close to perfect weather for the players, I'd think.

I didn't happen to meet any of the bosses this time around. Though if I'd known there were t-shirts being handed out, maybe I'd have tried a little harder! ;)

I have a short bit on the Aztexan blog (http://aztexan.net/2008/03/u-23-tryouts_09.html) about it. Hopefully the pictures make up for the shortness of the writing. If a picture's worth a thousand words, then there are 12,000 words' worth on there. :D

As I mentioned in that post, I've started a Flickr group, Aztex Pix (http://www.flickr.com/groups/aztexpix/), that I hope others besides me (with my amateur photography and even more amateur camera) will be able to post pictures to over time. It's empty right now; I've sent 4 of my pictures to it, but they won't show up until Flickr reviews my new account and is sure I'm not a pornographer.

Btw, I'm very glad to hear that a shield logo is in the works!! :)

[TwoMeters]

And I just saw this writeup on the Aztex site (via their RSS feed (http://www.austinaztex.com/docs/home/feed.xml)): U 23 Team Tryouts Off to a Great Start (http://www.austinaztex.com/news/tryouts/index_E.html)

U23 Head Coach, Wolfgang Suhnholz, said that the turnout and effort was “tremendous” and that he “saw a lot of talent, but we’re still looking, we’re constantly looking.” Austin Aztex owner, Phil Rawlins, stated that he was “delighted to see the turnout we’ve had and the general high-quality of players. I’m extremely pleased to see the broad mix of nationalities that have come.”

The article also says there were 108 players in attendance, and encourages fans to come and watch next weekend's action.

[Schwalker]

That name rings a bell...Old Bayern player Herr Wolfgang Suhnholz

http://www.fussballdaten.de/bilder/vereine/bayernmuenchen/1971-1972/suehnholzwolfgang.jpg

[mgrayscale]

I'm glad to hear the talent at last weekends try outs was so good. Especially in the net. Never trust a short, quiet keeper. You want that mutha' to be loud and directing traffic.

I spoke to Kay today at the club, and was absolutely impressed with her dedication not only to the team, but also the fans. This is a very good sign early on in this area.

I'll be at the tryouts for a bit off an on this weekend as well. If I get coffee in my bloodstream prior to pushing off, I'll remember to take my camera and get some snaps of some notables.

Thanks for letting another addition to the Aztex clan join in.

[VioletCrown]

I'm glad to hear the talent at last weekends try outs was so good. Especially in the net. Never trust a short, quiet keeper. You want that mutha' to be loud and directing traffic.

I spoke to Kay today at the club, and was absolutely impressed with her dedication not only to the team, but also the fans. This is a very good sign early on in this area.

I'll be at the tryouts for a bit off an on this weekend as well. If I get coffee in my bloodstream prior to pushing off, I'll remember to take my camera and get some snaps of some notables.

Thanks for letting another addition to the Aztex clan join in.

Welcome to the club, mgrayscale! I'm planning on going this coming Saturday as well, so maybe we'll meet.

I'm actually home sick today, but as a result, I came across something while I was flipping channels that I wouldn't have otherwise seen. The local Univision news had a long report on the tryouts! I didn't see anyone out there Saturday morning, so they must've done the interviews Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. There was some long footage of Adrian Heath, and he was speaking English and being translated, I think. So I guess his Spanish is still too rusty.

They interviewed three or four players -- one from Laredo, and I don't remember where the others were from.

Just did a little looking around on their website but didn't find anything. But I wasn't really expecting to.

Still, there wasn't even a local Spanish TV back when the Lonestars were around (that I knew of). And I don't remember them ever coming out to cover the Lonestars, if there was. So this is one more little cool thing. Frustrating since my Spanish is muy muy poquito. (Let's see if I did that right.:)) But, hey, if it brings out the fans, that's all I care about.

Feels really good that some media is actually covering things that closely.

[mgrayscale]

That's good that Univision is providing some coverage. I think the key is to get not only the followers of the Mexican and S. American leagues, but the large European fan base (of which I am a member), the youth and their converted parents. The connection to Stoke (which actually has a chance to make it into the EPL) is also extremely valuable.

[Schwalker]

That's good that Univision is providing some coverage. I think the key is to get not only the followers of the Mexican and S. American leagues, but the large European fan base (of which I am a member), the youth and their converted parents. The connection to Stoke (which actually has a chance to make it into the EPL) is also extremely valuable.


Spot on...All soccer fans in the area somehow united behind (or at least positive too..) AA makes a nice fanbase to grow from.

But how to reach them?...The sportsbars are an obvious place of course, at least for the Euroscentrics. Any other ideas?

[mgrayscale]

A combination of ways...

1. You've got to get a formal relationship with the appropriate bars in town (not necessarily the Sports Bars). For instance, Mother Egan's is a great pub run by Micky, a former publican from Dublin. For the Mexican fan, there's got to be local fare, I'm just not familiar with it. We should even look at having a favorite "local" close to the field for meeting up at both before and after the games (policing ourselves for overly zealous celebration).
2. You've got to have stellar players from all over. Think Real Madrid in it's heyday, when you had English, Portugese, Brazilian all on one squad (hopefully without the drama this time).
3. You've got to get on the sports radio a bit, however, these are really focused on the traditional 4 (american football, baseball, basketball and NASCAR). Where we need to go is the local TV stations for bit pieces. I can work that through some contacts I have at KXAN.
4. You've got to get the word around through "free" advertising. I'm talking gear here. So if you're walking down the street with an Aztex shirt on, someone will wonder, "Who the hell are the Aztex?!?!". Look them up, and potentially get hooked.

There are some things that have already been done. Inexpensive tickets means this is now a family sport that everyone can go to no matter the socio-economic scale. We are on our way towards a solid fan base, who is enthused and ready to be loud. We need to have the matches a celebratory environment.

All of this will be a great start, that will just build the awareness of the match and bring in more fans. There are football fans in this area of the country. Look at the success of the Houston Dynamo, and especially, the fact that US v. Mexico friendlies are always sold out when played in this region.

[mattmanp]

They interviewed three or four players -- one from Laredo.

He didn't happen to be Felix Garcia? He's from Laredo and plays for the Laredo PDL team. Maybe knowing the club is connected to USL-1 Aztex and Stoke City was enticing to get him to try to move over here. It is likely wishful thinking on my part though.

Here is an ESPN article about him.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=512344&root=us&cc=5901

[VioletCrown]

He didn't happen to be Felix Garcia? He's from Laredo and plays for the Laredo PDL team. Maybe knowing the club is connected to USL-1 Aztex and Stoke City was enticing to get him to try to move over here. It is likely wishful thinking on my part though.

Here is an ESPN article about him.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=512344&root=us&cc=5901

It could have been. Now I'm wishing that I had the tools to capture TV. I wasn't expecting it, so I didn't think to take any notes while I was watching. Plus, I'm still not well, so my brain's stuffed up.

I wondered the same thing -- whether he was a Laredo PDL player. That's one way for Austin to get a good team -- poach the national champion!

[VioletCrown]

Both Chris and I made it out yesterday morning. Warmer than last weekend. The item on Univision brought people out of the woodwork -- by the end of the day, they had 80 walkups to go along with the hundred or so that had signed up early. They ended up having to send some players down to a second field, and at one point had 5 games going on simultaneously.

To my eye, they had the stronger players down on the lower field, and I saw some very nice passing. Had a conversation with a guy that had helped with the Thunder, and he pointed out a few Thunder players. He told me that some of the players with the Thunder had experience in Europe and with Mexican teams.

It was completely overwhelming, and I was very impressed with how well everyone was handled and organized.

The Aztex had a volunteer meeting this afternoon, and I got to talk with a few people, including a fellow from England that was here to help Heath. If I got it right, he's the team's connection to various clubs in Europe (he has a title that I can't recall).

It was very interesting to hear his perspective. I got the impression that, unlike Heath, he hadn't really seen much of what we have in the way of talent over here. He told me that when he first watched the players stretching out he thought 'Oh, dear.' But then when they started playing, he was very impressed.

Tryouts are a very foreign thing to the Brits. And, I expect, the whole world outside the US. I hadn't really thought of that before.

Anyway, he said to me that when he goes back to Europe, he'll be telling people that we have good talent over here.

Makes me think that the talent flow (combined with the current exchange rate) out of the US is only going to increase. It'll be interesting to watch this nationally over the next few years to see how MLS handles it.

At the meeting I also heard that this morning was only 30 or so players, so it sounds like they're well on their way to narrowing the field down to the ones they want.

So, if anyone went to this morning's event, you will have seen something close to the Aztex U-23.

[Roma_Wolves]

Thanks for the report. Good stuff. I meant to go at least once, but ended up being gone for a brief vacation. Glad someone was here holding up the supporters' end though.

[ReadyToDoIt]

Hello, I cant seem to start a new thread so i taught this would be the best place to post. I am currently a irish footballer 19 years of age looking to come to USA to play professionally. I am semi-pro already and would proberly be still playing england if i didn't come back to ireland to finish high school (The leaving cert in Ireland). I played for St Joesphe boys from when i was about 8 to 14 when i got trials for Liverpool FC academy and moved over there for 2 years, but with no progress in the youths me and my parents felt it was best to come back to and finish my eduacation which i have just done. I currently am playing for Bray Wanderers U21's (League of Ireland, Irelands biggest league, Ronnie O'Briens old team). I am looking for advice on what to do on my journey to come pro in usa, should i trial for PDL teams first? USL? MLS? Any info/help/try out info would be greats cheers.
p.s i am very interest in the aztexs too.

[ATEX_MEX]

Hello, I cant seem to start a new thread so i taught this would be the best place to post. I am currently a irish footballer 19 years of age looking to come to USA to play professionally. I am semi-pro already and would proberly be still playing england if i didn't come back to ireland to finish high school (The leaving cert in Ireland). I played for St Joesphe boys from when i was about 8 to 14 when i got trials for Liverpool FC academy and moved over there for 2 years, but with no progress in the youths me and my parents felt it was best to come back to and finish my eduacation which i have just done. I currently am playing for Bray Wanderers U21's (League of Ireland, Irelands biggest league, Ronnie O'Briens old team). I am looking for advice on what to do on my journey to come pro in usa, should i trial for PDL teams first? USL? MLS? Any info/help/try out info would be greats cheers.
p.s i am very interest in the aztexs too.
Well since you have already professional experience
why not come down here to tryout with a USL-1 team.
PDL teams are also a good start, but since you are from ireland with no family here to support you. that means you will have to find a job to pay you while you play since PDL team do not pay their players. USL-1 teams do pay their players, so i think you have a good chance to make it down here, A carolina railhawks player names Kupono Low played for Sligo Rovers before he came back home..

Best of luck mate

and usually tryouts for USL-1 teams go anywhere from October to March, so you have time

[ReadyToDoIt]

Thanks very much for the reply. well heres the story my exams start on wednesday and finish the following wednesday. so after that its just all about working and playing for bray. my season starts on friday and finishes arounds late aug-early sept. i dont think i have 'professional' experience im pretty sure were all on semi-pro contracts, we get payed 50 euro a game so i suppose it is pro. Ye so what would be my chances at these trials? I'm prob looking to come over early 2009 jan-feb and do maybe 1/2 or 3 trials. Is the standard good? Or is it just every player trying to be ronaldo tryin to skill everyone? I can imagine the players would be very atlethic but wouldnt understnad the game? Any more news would be great cheers. Oh yes also PDL dont get payed? but do they get all there gear, food, transport etc all payed for when there on duty? and how much would i normal usl1 or usl2 player be gettin a week? and is there some sort of rules you have to be able to work in america? is that easy enoguht do sort out? sorry for all the questions... thanks tho