5/23 Laredo Heat vs Austin Aztex, Austin vs. New Orleans Shell Shockers Pre/Post Game Thread

[VioletCrown]

I haven't noticed what's standard on other boards. Hope y'all don't mind that I prefer the international standard Home Team First arrangement.

This one is for a big marble -- getting into the Open Cup. Most people have been saying that a tie will put us through, but I disagree. The standings indicate (http://usopencup.com/2008qualification/PDL/242324.html) that Mississippi Brilla can pass us. They have two away games on Saturday and Sunday against Houston and DFW. DFW will have played on Friday, but both their games are home games this time. Nevertheless, we can't count Mississippi out.

Austin needs to win down in Laredo.

What does this mean? For those that aren't familiar with the Open Cup, spend a little time on this site (http://usopencup.com/index.html). And if you want to discuss it, check here (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=86).

I really hope they get in. One of the best games I ever saw was an Open Cup game between the Austin Lone Stars and the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers. Which the Gamblers won with a goal in the second overtime by Mickey Trotman, assisted by Stern John. Those that follow the Premier League may have heard of Stern John.

But enough about history. Austin's on top of the division... oops. Wrong. Unbalanced schedule. El Paso's on top (http://www.uslsoccer.com/standings/8630213.html), but we have two games in hand.

Since we play New Orleans just two days later, I figured I may as well have both games in one thread. We'll see how it goes.

BTW, neither Austin nor Laredo have been scored on yet this season. That makes a very interesting story line. Austin's offense has really kicked into gear, while Laredo's is steadily improving. Will either keeper/defense keep their streak alive?

...Well, crap, I messed that up. Forgot to include the date for the New Orleans game in the title. That's on 5/25.

[Roma_Wolves]

We MUST beat the national champs. The Open Cup is the greatest. And if we can go a good ways in our very first season - and with a PDL side - that would do a lot to put our name out there, at least in the soccer community. Plus it would just be awesome. Also, PDL team to advance the farthest gets $10,000, which couldn't hurt. I'll place my order for the limited edition Aztex Open Cup t-shirt.

[VioletCrown]

We MUST beat the national champs. The Open Cup is the greatest. And if we can go a good ways in our very first season - and with a PDL side - that would do a lot to put our name out there, at least in the soccer community. Plus it would just be awesome. Also, PDL team to advance the farthest gets $10,000, which couldn't hurt. I'll place my order for the limited edition Aztex Open Cup t-shirt.

As far as I know, the USSF hasn't announced the arrangement for the Open Cup this year, but looking at the number of qualifying teams from each league, it will be the same as last year. So this means that if we qualify for the Open Cup, we will get to play a team from USL-1 or -2. Last year, El Paso played Miami FC (http://www.miamifc.com/) in the first round.

Yeah, Friday night is our first really big game. Win that, and we can get an early test of our readiness for USL-1.

[Roma_Wolves]

Well, I hope we have a somewhat better squad for USL1, but yeah.

[VioletCrown]

This one is for a big marble -- getting into the Open Cup. Most people have been saying that a tie will put us through, but I disagree. The standings indicate (http://usopencup.com/2008qualification/PDL/242324.html) that Mississippi Brilla can pass us. They have two away games on Saturday and Sunday against Houston and DFW. DFW will have played on Friday, but both their games are home games this time. Nevertheless, we can't count Mississippi out.

Austin needs to win down in Laredo.

In fact (and it would've been obvious if I'd've just looked a little closer), not only do we need to win to guarantee the spot, we need to win big (http://www.usopencup.com/home/249801.html) (scroll down). We have 7 points, Mississippi has 4. If we win and they win both their games they draw level with us.

Then we go through the tiebreakers (http://www.usopencup.com/2008qualification/PDL/242324.html), copied here for ease of use:

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers
(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers
(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualfying games
(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifer)
(4) Goals scored ((+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifer)
(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

The possibilities are a bit much for me to muddle through at this moment. Suffice to say that to guarantee a spot, we not only need to win, but we need to win by 3 goals.

A very tall order against the defending national champion on their home field.

[KillerMoth]

Is anyone thinking of going to Laredo besides me? Or am I the only nut on here?

[mgrayscale]

Is anyone thinking of going to Laredo besides me? Or am I the only nut on here?
I'm going to head down Friday night. Figure it's 3 hour drive (depending on San Antonio rush hour) down, so I'll be going down and back that evening.

[Roma_Wolves]

You guys rock.

[STXSoccer_dot_com]

I have to be in Tyler on Friday and can't make it to Laredo for the game.

If someone is heading down there and would be willing to file an article on the game for STXSoccer.com, I can arrange for a media pass and a small honorarium. It won't cover the cost of your gas, but it might buy you a couple of pitchers of beer.

Contact me at webmaster 'at' stxsoccer.com

Thanks.

[TwoMeters]

I really wanted to go, but won't be able to. :(

Best of luck to the team, and to you dedicated folks traveling down there!

[Roma_Wolves]

Laredo Heat Press Release
Match Preview: Heat Hosting Austin Aztex

Thursday, May 22, 2008 (Laredo, TX):

After three Premier Development League (PDL) games, both the Laredo Heat and Austin Aztex have won two games and tied one giving each club a total of seven points.

The Heat will be hosting the Aztex this coming Friday, May 23rd at the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex. Game time is set to kick-off at 8:00 PM.

The only common foe for each of the teams was the DFW Tornados last weekend. The Heat narrowly beat the Tornados by a score of 1 – 0 on Friday evening; however, the Aztex handily took care of DFW the following night in the Capital City, beating them 3 – 0.

“I have always said that there is absolutely no reason for a soccer team from Austin, Texas to reside at the bottom of the PDL’s Mid-South Division. The rationale for my thinking has come from the talent I have seen at the state wide youth level and how popular the game of soccer is in Central Texas. Not to mention the skill level I have seen on the PDL pitch over the last four years”, mentioned Heat General Manager, J.J. Vela.

“The new Austin Aztex franchise has revamped from the ground up and the group of individuals now running this organization is completely different from the now defunct Austin Lightning and if after three games, there is any team looking past Austin as a serious division foe, they will be in for one big surprise”.

Vela added, “The importance of the match versus Austin cannot be understated and more importantly, understood in terms of what it means to our soccer team. Coach Collazo, his staff and all the players realize what this game means in terms of the standings this early in the season and most importantly, what the game means when it comes to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualification”.

“For us, it’s very simple. If we can hammer out a win over Austin we give ourselves a chance to be considered for the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. Of course, the Mississippi Brilla (1-0-1 / 4 points), with away games versus the Houston Leones (1-3-0 / 3 points) and DFW Tornados (0-2-0 / 0 points) this weekend is also in the running and has much to say as to who will represent the Mid-South Division in the opening round of the U.S. Open Cup. If we lose, we are out and have to wait another year to try and qualify again”, concluded Vela.

[KillerMoth]

Does anyone know where the TAMIU soccer fields are?

I've tried and tried, and there is nothing online saying exactly where this is. (This is the location of the game in Laredo.) This is evidently a new location for the team. Google Maps view shows no stadium at the TAMIU campus. I've scoured the TAMIU web site, and it does not mention the location of the stadium. The Laredo Heat web site does not specify the location, either (and actually says they play their home games somewhere else under ticket info!).

http://www.laredoheatsc.com/schedule.htm

http://www.laredoheatsc.com/ticket.htm

[KillerMoth]

Nevermind, I finally found the location on an old article on uslsoccer.com:

"TAMIU Soccer Complex located on the Texas A&M International University campus at the corner of Loop 20 and University Blvd. "

Geez, you'd think they'd actually put more info about this on their (Laredo Heat's) web site!

[VioletCrown]

Is anyone thinking of going to Laredo besides me? Or am I the only nut on here?

I'm going to head down Friday night. Figure it's 3 hour drive (depending on San Antonio rush hour) down, so I'll be going down and back that evening.

Y'all have a safe trip, and have fun! Would love to have updates posted, if at all possible. I'm excited and nervous for this one!

[mgrayscale]

Y'all have a safe trip, and have fun! Would love to have updates posted, if at all possible. I'm excited and nervous for this one!

I've taken a look, and found that Blackberry doesn't support the posting system required to do it from my handheld. I also checked with the Aztex, and the stadium doesn't have broadband. What I can do is email updates to someone and then they can post to this forum (email me through BigSoccer if you want to volunteer). I'm also going to take a laptop, since the complex is within the TAMI campus, I may be able to hijack a network.

[VioletCrown]

From the Laredo Morning Times article (http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19703944&BRD=2290&PAG=461&dept_id=473477&rfi=6):

Coach Wolfgang Suhnholz has guided the 180-degree turnaround. He brings plenty experience to the club with 188 years of professional soccer...

Wolfie's looking GOOD for his age!

[sokaymckay]

Now I wish I was in Laredo! :o

[TwoMeters]

According to texts received from Laredo, the Aztex beat the Heat 0-1!! Laredo received 2 red cards during the match.

We'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what Mississippi does in their first game, but the Aztex did what needed to be done tonight! :D

[VioletCrown]

Now I wish I was in Laredo! :o

I just wish someone would send info to Chris and he'd update us.

[VioletCrown]

According to the USL website, Austin won, 1-0 (http://www.uslsoccer.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72011+Elements/Display+E+47107+Stats/+657307)!

Now I can go to bed happy.

Congratulations, guys!

I wonder if we have a 6th goalscorer now?:)