5/31 Mississippi Brilla vs Austin Aztex

[VioletCrown]

After Mississippi's road trip this weekend, they're sitting down in 6th place.

And, obviously, we're on top, yet to be scored on.

It will be interesting to see how teams play against us now. I'm starting to expect we'll get a lot more of what we saw Sunday from New Orleans -- defend and counter. Even on the road. We're nearly 1/3 of the way through the season. The playoffs are just the top two teams from each division.

For the record, there are two other teams in the USL that have yet to give up a goal: LA Legends (4 games, 11 goals for), and Fredericksburg Gunners (4 games, 8 goals for).

Considering the results so far, this should be an easy win for Austin. Other than having to make the trip all the way to Mississippi.

[VioletCrown]

And, obviously, we're on top, yet to be scored on.

We've also opened up a 5 point gap (http://www.uslsoccer.com/standings/8630213.html) between us and 2nd place El Paso. Laredo has a game in hand over both us and El Paso. We're tied with Yakima with the most points in the league -- meaningless, I know, but fun to contemplate, nevertheless.

[Roma_Wolves]

Quit trying to jinx us. Bragging is a surefire way to bring the attention of ill-meaning spirits and angry football deities.

[mgrayscale]

Just out of curiousity, is anyone going to Clinton, MS for the Brilla match? If you are, let me know either publicly or through the mail system for BigSoccer. Maybe we can set up something where you SMS me updates and I'll post to BigSoccer.

Just a thought...

[sokaymckay]

Maybe just a little of topic, but what's a Brilla? is it like Brilla-Pad? :)

[mgrayscale]

Wikipedia (and you knew it had to come from here) says the following about the root of the Brilla...

"The team is associated with the Brilla Soccer Ministries (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brilla_Soccer_Ministries&action=edit&redlink=1) organisation, which is committed to sharing the message of Christianity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity) through the environment of soccer, which is accomplished through sports ministry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_ministry). The club’s name is derived from the Spanish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Language) word for "shine", and references the biblical passage Matthew (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Matthew) 5:16 which says "Therefore, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

BTW, David from the Aztex is going to text me updates from Clinton, MS Saturday during the match, and as soon as I get them, I'll post them to this blog. We must have our fix. Thank you, David, for providing us our fix for the week.

[TwoMeters]

Too bad! Josh Alcala's not going to Mississippi (http://web.mac.com/circlejva/Aztex_Soccer_by_JA/Blog/Entries/2008/5/30_More_additions_and_my_absence......html). Hope the defense holds up without him!

[FrogHammer]

He's a very good left back but I think they will manage. I predict a rout of Mississippi on their own soil. A lot of kids are going to want to prove they deserve to play against El Paso and in the Cup game.

[VioletCrown]

We've also opened up a 5 point gap (http://www.uslsoccer.com/standings/8630213.html) between us and 2nd place El Paso. Laredo has a game in hand over both us and El Paso. We're tied with Yakima with the most points in the league -- meaningless, I know, but fun to contemplate, nevertheless.

Quit trying to jinx us. Bragging is a surefire way to bring the attention of ill-meaning spirits and angry football deities.

He's a very good left back but I think they will manage. I predict a rout of Mississippi on their own soil. A lot of kids are going to want to prove they deserve to play against El Paso and in the Cup game.

OK. Maybe I was bragging. A little.

FrogHammer on the other hand, is definitely risking the weauxf (damn, it's been way too long, how is that spelled?) gawdz with that prediction.

[mgrayscale]

The report from David who is at the match is that after 20 minutes, the score is tied at 0-0.

[mgrayscale]

Another update. The Aztex had a corner kick, but were unable to put it in the back of the net. At 35 minutes, the score is still 0-0.

[mgrayscale]

Brilla has a corner kick but it's got too much on it and sails out the other side of the pitch.

[mgrayscale]

At halftime, it's still scoreless in Clinton. Ryan Holden had a good shot on target at the 43 minute mark, that went just wide of target.

[mgrayscale]

While we're waiting for the start of the second, we have some stats from the field. The Aztex appear to be extending the offensive power, as they have 7 shots on goal to the Brillas 3 in the first half.

[mgrayscale]

A sad afair. The Aztex allow the first goal of the season. The Brilla lead 1-0 following a header that hit the cross bar and then dropped on the wrong side of the goal line.

[FrogHammer]

drat! I guess it was bound to happen eventually.

[TwoMeters]

Via email from mgrayscale, who lost his internet connectivity:

Final: Aztex lose, 2-0.

[mgrayscale]

Thanks, TwoMeters for posting the final result. Internet is now back. Some final points for those who are interested, in the match, primarily the defensive line. As some of you know Josh Alcala did not make the trip, so the defensive line was...

Beto and Kieron in center, with Spendlove and Pope on the outside. Scope and Allen subbed in during the latter part of the 2nd half.

Unfortunately, www.uslsoccer.com (http://www.uslsoccer.com) does not have any stats or match report up yet, although they've posted the score.

[FrogHammer]

really cool of you to post the games updates like that, thanks!

[KillerMoth]

I hereby nominate the Mississippi Brilla as our arch-rivals in the PDL.