[duality72]

Early copy of press release and U23 roster:

#####
AUSTIN AZTEX ANNOUNCE ROSTER

FOR INAUGURAL U23 SEASON

Strong Squad Features Players with International Experience


Austin, TX – April 24, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Austin Aztex FC today announced its roster for its U23 team which begins play on May 3, 2008.

The U23 team will participate in the USL’s Premier Development League (“PDL”), an elite amateur league of 67 teams, in which players participate in a professional training environment as they seek to move into the professional ranks. The Aztex will be playing in the PDL’s Midsouth division which includes the league champion from last year, the Laredo Heat.

The current Austin Aztex roster consists of 21 players, several of whom are attending or have graduated from the University of Texas. Many on the roster are local Austin players who learned their soccer here and will be returning to play for their local club, Austin Aztex, this summer. In addition to the local talent on show, there are 2 players who have played for NCAA National Championship clubs. There are another two players who have played for National Teams in Jamaica. Three players are natives of the United Kingdom and one player from Spain, who has played in La Liga. In short, the team has a strong international character, close ties to the Austin community and a wealth of soccer experience both here and abroad.

Aztex U23 Head Coach Wolfgang Suhnholz comments, “While it was not our objective to field a team with this much international variety, it’s not surprising that we’ve ended up here given the global appeal of soccer. We think these players have a great deal of potential, and it should be fun for the fans in Austin to watch them develop and possibly move into professional ranks next year.”



The Austin Aztex U23 team will play its first league game on May 3 in El Paso, with its home opener at Dragon Stadium in Round Rock on May 10 at 7:30PM against the Houston Leones. The 2008 campaign will total 16 games of which 8 will be at the Aztex’s home.

Phil Rawlins, President of the Aztex, says, “I am truly excited about the quality of the first players we will have out on the field wearing the Aztex colors and representing the Austin community. The coaching staff has done a great job of identifying a group of young players who have real potential; we think they will make a big impact in the league in their first season.”

The Austin Aztex will be expanding into the USL First Division in the 2009 season. It has a unique affiliation with Stoke City FC, an English soccer club which is vying for a spot in the prestigious English Premier League. The Austin Aztex and Stoke City FC have plans to work together on a variety of projects, including having Austin host a summer training camp for the English club.

# # #

Austin Aztex FC U23 Roster


Player Position DOB Height Weight Achievements

1. Miguel Gallardo Goalkeeper 24-10-84 6 '1" 179lbs. PDL save leader**2005-2006 season
2. Andy Taylor** Defender 28-12-85 5' 11" 185lbs. Oklahoma City University; Native of Liverpool, England
3. Zack Pope Defender 20-03-86 5' 7" 140lbs Duke University Grad; MLS Chicago Fire '08 draft pick**
4. Kieron Bernard Defender 02-08-85 6 '3" 190lbs. San Jacinto College; Captain U17, U20, U23 Jamaican National Teams
5.**Beto Papandrea** Defender 21-04-76 6' 0" 180lbs. University of Texas-Austin Grad; Player/Coach of National Semi-Finalist Real Madrid-Austin**
6. Ezual Lewis Midfield 19-04-84 5 '7" 160lbs. St. Edward's University; Former member U20 Jamaican National Team **
7. Jorge Vega Midfield 05-01-87 5' 6" 155lbs Hardin-Simmons University; District MVP at Manor HS 2006
8. Marcel Uriarte Midfield 05-06-79 6' 0" 172lbs St. Edward's University Grad; PDL All-Conference 2007****
9. Edgar Alvarez Forward 14-09-86 5' 11" 150lbs. San Jacinto College; Holds record at Mayde Creek HS for career goals scored
10. AJ Godbolt Midfield 07-03-84 5' 10" 175lbs. University of Maryland Grad; MLS Kansas City Wizards '07 draft pick
11.**Andres Cuero Forward 07-08-89 5' 10" 165lbs. UNC-Charlotte; Preseason Atlantic-10 All Rookie selection
12. Craig Hill Goalkeeper 27-12-87 6' 1" 192lbs Southern Methodist University; 2005 NSCAA All-American at Reagan HS
13. Joshua Alcala Defender 05-01-84 5'9" 165lbs. University of South Carolina Grad; Played for USL-2 Crystal Palace USA
14.**Carlos Vicens Midfield 12-02-83 5'7" 151lbs. University of Texas-Austin; Played for RCD Mallorca in Spain
15. Westley Allen Midfield 17-09-86 6' 1" 170lbs University of Texas-Austin; 3rd Team Freshman All-American at Oakland University
16. BJ Olonilua Forward 10-01-86 6' 1" 160lbs. University of Texas-Austin;**Native of Kingwood, TX
17.**Abdiel Amador Midfield 07-07-98 5'8" 145lbs. Texas A&M International University; Edinburg North HS
18.**Chris Spendlove Defender 18-12-84 5'10" 170lbs Oklahoma City University; Native of Liverpool, England**
19. Jamie Scope Defender 16-12-86 6' 4" 192lbs University of Incarnate Word; Native of Newcastle, England
21. Austin Da Luz Midfield 09-10-87 5' 10" 160lbs. Wake Forest University; 2007 NCAA National Champion

[VioletCrown]

Here we go, here we go, here we go!

So, AJ's on the team.

And with Bucky's new radio format, I dare anyone to call in to get him to talk about it.

Go on.

Be ready.

My understanding is that at least Uriarte, Papandrea and Gallardo were on the Lightning.

[Real_Madrid1006]

VC,

Those guys were on the Lightning and so were Pope, Godbolt and Vega. Uriarte has always been trouble. Hopefully he won't spoil the bushel AGAIN. Best of luck to the team. I will be playing against them....I decided I didn't want to play for this team a while back.....personal reasons with regards to one of the coaches and management. Lots of good friends on the team....look forward to playing against them.

You will see several old Lightning players in the PDL this season...on various teams. Should be a fun one. Best of luck on your first season.

[VioletCrown]

Originally Posted by Real_Madrid1006

I will be playing against them....I decided I didn't want to play for this team a while back.....personal reasons with regards to one of the coaches and management.

Traitor!

At least tell us who you're playing for so we can give you a hard time offline as well as on!

[VioletCrown]

Originally Posted by Real_Madrid1006

VC,

Those guys were on the Lightning and so were Pope, Godbolt and Vega. Uriarte has always been trouble. Hopefully he won't spoil the bushel AGAIN.

Interesting about Uriarte.

He really impressed me in the first scrimmage I saw.

Godbolt played for the Lightning? When? I thought he was up in KC last season.

[VioletCrown]

Originally Posted by duality72

Player Position DOB Height Weight Achievements

1. Miguel Gallardo Goalkeeper 24-10-84 6 '1" 179lbs. PDL save leader**2005-2006 season
2. Andy Taylor** Defender 28-12-85 5' 11" 185lbs. Oklahoma City University; Native of Liverpool, England
3. Zack Pope Defender 20-03-86 5' 7" 140lbs Duke University Grad; MLS Chicago Fire '08 draft pick**
5.**Beto Papandrea** Defender 21-04-76 6' 0" 180lbs. University of Texas-Austin Grad; Player/Coach of National Semi-Finalist Real Madrid-Austin**
6. Ezual Lewis Midfield 19-04-84 5 '7" 160lbs. St. Edward's University; Former member U20 Jamaican National Team **
8. Marcel Uriarte Midfield 05-06-79 6' 0" 172lbs St. Edward's University Grad; PDL All-Conference 2007****
11.**Andres Cuero Forward 07-08-89 5' 10" 165lbs. UNC-Charlotte; Preseason Atlantic-10 All Rookie selection
14.**Carlos Vicens Midfield 12-02-83 5'7" 151lbs. University of Texas-Austin; Played for RCD Mallorca in Spain
16. BJ Olonilua Forward 10-01-86 6' 1" 160lbs. University of Texas-Austin;**Native of Kingwood, TX
17.**Abdiel Amador Midfield 07-07-98 5'8" 145lbs. Texas A&M International University; Edinburg North HS
18.**Chris Spendlove Defender 18-12-84 5'10" 170lbs Oklahoma City University; Native of Liverpool, England**

Any idea what the various asterisks are about?

[duality72]

Apparently, they're about nothing. They aren't there in the original spreadsheet, but something about cutting and pasting into BigSoccer adds them in. Special characters, I guess. Sorry about that, please ignore them.

[VioletCrown]

Hm.

I think we have an implied starting 11 here:

1. Miguel Gallardo Goalkeeper 24-10-84 6 '1" 179lbs. PDL save leader**2005-2006 season
2. Andy Taylor** Defender 28-12-85 5' 11" 185lbs. Oklahoma City University; Native of Liverpool, England
3. Zack Pope Defender 20-03-86 5' 7" 140lbs Duke University Grad; MLS Chicago Fire '08 draft pick**
4. Kieron Bernard Defender 02-08-85 6 '3" 190lbs. San Jacinto College; Captain U17, U20, U23 Jamaican National Teams
5. **Beto Papandrea** Defender 21-04-76 6' 0" 180lbs. University of Texas-Austin Grad; Player/Coach of National Semi-Finalist Real Madrid-Austin**
6. Ezual Lewis Midfield 19-04-84 5 '7" 160lbs. St. Edward's University; Former member U20 Jamaican National Team **
7. Jorge Vega Midfield 05-01-87 5' 6" 155lbs Hardin-Simmons University; District MVP at Manor HS 2006
8. Marcel Uriarte Midfield 05-06-79 6' 0" 172lbs St. Edward's University Grad; PDL All-Conference 2007****
9. Edgar Alvarez Forward 14-09-86 5' 11" 150lbs. San Jacinto College; Holds record at Mayde Creek HS for career goals scored
10. AJ Godbolt Midfield 07-03-84 5' 10" 175lbs. University of Maryland Grad; MLS Kansas City Wizards '07 draft pick
11. **Andres Cuero Forward 07-08-89 5' 10" 165lbs. UNC-Charlotte; Preseason Atlantic-10 All Rookie selection

After that, it lists a goalkeeper. I wonder if these numbers are actually uniform numbers?

[VioletCrown]

Originally Posted by duality72

17.**Abdiel Amador Midfield 07-07-98 5'8" 145lbs. Texas A&M International University; Edinburg North HS

Damn! We got a genius phenom on the team! 9 yrs old and already been to college!

Freddy been one-upped!

[VioletCrown]

Here's some press coverage of it. Thanks, Nick!