Great First Year

[Madmartigen]

I just wanted to post what a great job the entire Aztex organization have done in their first season.

The home games have been wonderful all season. Great staff, good atmosphere, and good games to watch. The PDL team was fantastic to clinch the division with 3 games left and to make go to the playoffs and beat the Academics. Losing to last year's PDL Champion is not too shabby.

Keep up the great work and bring on the USL Division 1 teams!!:)

[Alejo]

I just wanted to post what a great job the entire Aztex organization have done in their first season.

The home games have been wonderful all season. Great staff, good atmosphere, and good games to watch. The PDL team was fantastic to clinch the division with 3 games left and to make go to the playoffs and beat the Academics. Losing to last year's PDL Champion is not too shabby.

Keep up the great work and bring on the USL Division 1 teams!!:)

Here here Mad, as far as any preseason expectations there may have been, we oblitirated them.
But I still think Laredo are shite, "NEVER A MAN UP" an they sure as hell didn't play like champions tonight not from where i'm standin.

An again no more PDL USL PC ANY MORE

COME ON YOU AZTEX, BRING ON NEX SEASON

HAROO
HAROO
HAROO!!! :D

P.S Rallyin cries for next year against Laredo

NEVER A MAN UP
and
REMEMMBER ORLANDO

[mgrayscale]

I'd like to offer an idea up, that will either work or not. So as to memorialize everyone's thoughts on the first season, if you feel like it, send a short thought on the Aztex first season to info@chanticosarmy.com. I'll post them (and I mean everything, no editing, censoring, etc.) online in a Memoriam page. If you want your name/BigSoccer name/etc, then give it. You can also just do it anonymously.

[VioletCrown]

Thanks, mgrayscale. I'll definitely put something together. But I'm going to have to sleep on it.

But, here's a first thought for this thread: it was far better than I expected, and I really appreciate Phil and Kay and everyone that made it happen. It's going to be a tough off-season, and I really hope the team can at least feed us regular tidbits (jersey sponsor? next year's home stadium? new signings? graduates from this team that will make next year's USL-1 team?) to keep us from starving in the next eight months.

Damn. EIGHT months.

The PDL season is far too quick.

[FrogHammer]

It's been a great season. Many thanks to Phil, Kay, and all of the players and volunteers! It's been a long time coming but it looks like Austin FINALLY has a REAL pro soccer team on the way, a great youth team, excellent coaches, and a GREAT supporters group. Let's make sure that we stay in touch and pick up next season with the same level of support. Hopefully we will have some friendlies to watch in the offseason. I can't wait for us to kick some Silverback butt next year!

[Alejo]

Last post from me for the evening, and best whishes from me as well to the boys and to the Rawlins, especially poor Kay for havin ta bear tha brunt of are chanting. Thanks to them all, coaches, trainers, everybody at Aztec INC and especially the players.:)

And so the goddess has made her visit, the fire has been lit, the pashion, and the flame, shall be even stronger at fastings end. Let us forge, let us gell, let us pray, let us create and sacrafice and come togethor as one as these following eight months of draught dessend upon us.

So Says Alejo Loco, Soldier Warrior in Chanticos Army and hardcore Aztec till the end

[TwoMeters]

Obviously I wasn't too happy with the result last night; very disappointing. But on the other hand, somehow I just couldn't get worked up (down?) to be too sad. Not with the amazingly fun and successful season the Aztex have given us.

I don't know. I guess at some level, each win, each milestone, each big fat crowd at Dragon Stadium, felt like gravy. Of course it's fantastic to having a winning team, with so many successes to point back to, but on the other hand, I'm just happy we have a team, period!

Think back, some of you fellow old-timers on this forum (if you've been posting or reading about the Aztex on BigSoccer since before we had our own "Aztex" section of the forum, then you're a fellow old-timer ;)). Remember when we barely dared to hope that this outfit wouldn't totally suck? Remember when we didn't know who these Rawlins people were? Wondered if they were some Stoke City carpetbaggers? Worried about this hire or that hire? Didn't know where the stadium would be? Feared the worst around every bend?

Now imagine if you could time-travel from today back to then, and tell your past self how the first season -- the FIRST, EXPANSION season, built almost entirely from SCRATCH -- would turn out. The crowds. The record. The sponsorships. The merchandise. The supporters. The media coverage (even the Statesman, for Chantico's sake!). The team's kit. The shutouts. The U.S. Open Cup. The Tigres game. The Division title. The Conference Final!

Well, your past self wouldn't have believed half of it. I'm not sure I believe half of it.

So as much as a win last night would have been fantastic, honestly to me it would have just been a cherry on top of a cake that's already buried under almost too much icing, sprinkles, whipped cream, glaze, chocolate, M&Ms, strawberries and more icing.

The Aztex Empire has been founded in Austin. I was there; you were there. Next year, we'll have this greatness again, plus even more on a whole 'nother level with the USL-1 team. I agree with VioletCrown - it's the waiting for next season that's the only thing I can bring myself to bitch about now! :D

[Alejo]

Obviously I wasn't too happy with the result last night; very disappointing. But on the other hand, somehow I just couldn't get worked up (down?) to be too sad. Not with the amazingly fun and successful season the Aztex have given us.

I don't know. I guess at some level, each win, each milestone, each big fat crowd at Dragon Stadium, felt like gravy. Of course it's fantastic to having a winning team, with so many successes to point back to, but on the other hand, I'm just happy we have a team, period!

Think back, some of you fellow old-timers on this forum (if you've been posting or reading about the Aztex on BigSoccer since before we had our own "Aztex" section of the forum, then you're a fellow old-timer ;)). Remember when we barely dared to hope that this outfit wouldn't totally suck? Remember when we didn't know who these Rawlins people were? Wondered if they were some Stoke City carpetbaggers? Worried about this hire or that hire? Didn't know where the stadium would be? Feared the worst around every bend?

Now imagine if you could time-travel from today back to then, and tell your past self how the first season -- the FIRST, EXPANSION season, built almost entirely from SCRATCH -- would turn out. The crowds. The record. The sponsorships. The merchandise. The supporters. The media coverage (even the Statesman, for Chantico's sake!). The team's kit. The shutouts. The U.S. Open Cup. The Tigres game. The Division title. The Conference Final!

Well, your past self wouldn't have believed half of it. I'm not sure I believe half of it.

So as much as a win last night would have been fantastic, honestly to me it would have just been a cherry on top of a cake that's already buried under almost too much icing, sprinkles, whipped cream, glaze, chocolate, M&Ms, strawberries and more icing.

The Aztex Empire has been founded in Austin. I was there; you were there. Next year, we'll have this greatness again, plus even more on a whole 'nother level with the USL-1 team. I agree with VioletCrown - it's the waiting for next season that's the only thing I can bring myself to bitch about now! :D

I'm at a loss for words mate, nuff said and yer right, all their is ta bitch about is the wait for next season. But hey I'm sure the army will keep itself busy till next season, least I think it should with or without me :(

Knock on wood I'll be able ta do stuff with the army, an especially with me fellow soldier warriors this offseason, but between school, gas prices, yada yad yada I'm gonna have a very busy fall and may not be able ta attend EVERYTHING but I will do my best and will deffinatly keep myself update of developments both in the army and the Aztex nation in general.

[flash2008]

It is perhaps Karma that the Laredo Heat are moving on and the Aztex are done for the year. The Heat remained true to the PDL prime directive of helping young up and coming players in their development, exemplified by the number of U20's on the Laredo roster, including their 17 year old striker.

The Aztex business and marketing agenda diverted the Austin PDL team away from young player development and stacked the roster with players who have already had their chance. As disorganized as the Austin Lightning were last year, they still made room for young players with future potential. The business alliance of the Austin Lonestars and Aztex is a severe blow for young, independent Austin soccer players hoping for an objective and even playing field.

The Aztex should be good for the future of spectator soccer in Austin, but they could have really done a lot more and rallied the community around Austin's own up and coming youngsters.

[kingqueso]

It is perhaps Karma that the Laredo Heat are moving on and the Aztex are done for the year. The Heat remained true to the PDL prime directive of helping young up and coming players in their development, exemplified by the number of U20's on the Laredo roster, including their 17 year old striker.

The Aztex business and marketing agenda diverted the Austin PDL team away from young player development and stacked the roster with players who have already had their chance. As disorganized as the Austin Lightning were last year, they still made room for young players with future potential. The business alliance of the Austin Lonestars and Aztex is a severe blow for young, independent Austin soccer players hoping for an objective and even playing field.

The Aztex should be good for the future of spectator soccer in Austin, but they could have really done a lot more and rallied the community around Austin's own up and coming youngsters.

Bitter, party of one. Your table is ready.

[willyaddy]

The Heat remained true to the PDL prime directive of helping young up and coming players in their development, exemplified by the number of U20's on the Laredo roster, including their 17 year old striker.

The Aztex business and marketing agenda diverted the Austin PDL team away from young player development and stacked the roster with players who have already had their chance. As disorganized as the Austin Lightning were last year, they still made room for young players with future potential. The business alliance of the Austin Lonestars and Aztex is a severe blow for young, independent Austin soccer players hoping for an objective and even playing field.

The Aztex should be good for the future of spectator soccer in Austin, but they could have really done a lot more and rallied the community around Austin's own up and coming youngsters.

Flash FYI Professional Soccer is a BUSINESS! In order for Austin to sustain a franchise you have to build a fan base. I have grown up here and played when the divisions were referred to as Gold and Blue. Big clubs try to market their players(Lonestars) and that is what parents pay for. Like it or not! Go back to the Lonestar/Capital franchises and it was impossible to find starters who didn't come through the organization. The Aztex had quite a few and they were prime time guys. Independent guys are on the squad but you have to understand that YOU are not funding this thing. I know at least 50 guys I grew up playing with who were WAY better than guys on the PRO squad but because of this and that they weren't featured. As you know the Papandreas sold out too! Enjoy the squad make relative comments and only WE the fans can demand a better product if needed. Your heart is in the right place but your comprehension of business doesn't allow you to see the end result. 74 Flyers 16-0 v Caps, we sent more guys to college who stuck and produced. I could complain til the cows come home but I want a successful franchise.

[arango]

Hey guys I'm new to this blog but have been reading some of the threads and as a member of the Aztex team I think its great that you are all so passionate about your arguments!
It was a great experience for me as a player to be a member of this team and I can tell you that the Aztex will be around for a long time and success will come!!!

[FrogHammer]

Thanks Arango, I think you are right. Hope you hang around it would be interesting to get your opinion on some of the stuff we talk about. I know Josh Alcala and sometimes Willy chime in on here too.

[VioletCrown]

Beto and Miguel made the Southern All-Conference team (http://www.uslsoccer.com/recentnews/265101.html). And Miguel got a special paragraph of his own for being the GAA Champion. The USL website is pretty spotty in its archives, so there's no telling whether this is a first for an Austin PDL team or not.

[mgrayscale]

Beto and Miguel made the Southern All-Conference team (http://www.uslsoccer.com/recentnews/265101.html). And Miguel got a special paragraph of his own for being the GAA Champion. The USL website is pretty spotty in its archives, so there's no telling whether this is a first for an Austin PDL team or not.

I saw this as well, and was proud as punch for Miguel (although I don't think anyone was surprised) as well as Beto, who has always been one of my personal favorites. If we can't find the archive info on whether this is a first for a PDL team, let me know. I could reach out to Lee Cohen (Director of the PDL) and see if he could help get this information once the Championships are over this Saturday.

Just give me the word.

[mgrayscale]

The awards continue to pour in to the Aztex following their inaugural PDL season. The following awards were given last night. You can read more by visiting www.chanticosarmy.com (http://www.chanticosarmy.com)


Coach of the Year
Wolfgang Sunholz

Keeper of the Year
Miguel Gallardo

Defender of the Year
Beto Papandrea

Additional honors were given to Laredo's Felix Garcia for the U19 Player of the Year.

[Madmartigen]

The awards continue to pour in to the Aztex following their inaugural PDL season. The following awards were given last night. You can read more by visiting www.chanticosarmy.com (http://www.chanticosarmy.com)


Coach of the Year
Wolfgang Sunholz

Keeper of the Year
Miguel Gallardo

Defender of the Year
Beto Papandrea

Additional honors were given to Laredo's Felix Garcia for the U19 Player of the Year.

When do we sign 'Beto? :D