If we get by NTXR, the next round will see the entry of the NASL and USLPRO teams. It is possible that we could play SA Scorpions or even OC$C. The way the hosting rules work now, the higher leagued team has the first right of refusal on the hosting. Although I'd love to play and beat OC$C, I'd rather face SA Scorpions for the first I35 Derby. However, first things first. We have to get by NTX Rayados. Who's planning on coming out to the match on 5/14?
I don't think that is correct based on my reading of this page: http://thecup.us/2013-us-open-cup-d...first-round-100th-tournament-kicks-off-may-7/ "The process of determining home teams in the Open Cup received a makeover last year, and those reforms have been expanded for 2013. This year, the host of every game of the tournament from the Play-In Round to the championship game will be determined by a coin flip. The secret bidding process has been completely eliminated. Teams can apply to host and if they meet the minimum venue standards set by the USSF, then they are given a chance to win the hosting rights by way of coin flip.It then goes on to explain that starting in Round 3 (the May 14th game is Round 1) there is a hosting fee.... but again provided a team meets the minimum venue requirements and is willing to pay the fee the hosting rights do not fall automatically to the higher-league team.
But you were correct in that we'll worry about all of these matters AFTER we get by NTX Rayados. #nobananapeels
I will be there, up in the booth. And looking forward to following the other games before and afterward via whatever feeds we can get at the Tavern. It will be a feast of Cup games!
A win in OKC! Draws for everyone else in the division (except OKC, of course). No better way to start the season than on top of the standings.
Um. This could be a VERY tight division this season. Laredo only tying the Dutch Lions, in Laredo, no less? And tie between El Paso and West Texas... in El Paso? And OKC bringing in 1400 fans for their home opener, and pushing the Aztex to the last couple minutes? It's gonna be a dogfight. I love it.
V.C actually Laredo and E. Paso played on the road to tie. Agree this could be a tighter div than once thought. Hou with more of their old dutch pros etc lol. Yes 1400 odd at Okc was amazing wonder if we'll top that.. hope so ? Tbh dont think we have as quite a strong as squad as last year, but yes really looking fwd to the season.
Doh! Damn USL putting things backward. (though, really I *know* that. Have known it for years. I was just distracted.) Thanks for pointing that out. So, maybe it's not so close? ...then again, the Dutch Lions managing a tie at all suggests maybe they have improved.
This was posted on the Dallas board: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/coll...-college-players-to-watch-in-the-pdl_aid28797
Well, that was a nice start to the season. Awesome crowd for a Tuesday night (at both the Tavern and House).
Yes did well to win Tues, even against an amateur outfit, with a man down for so long but looked a bit lightweight up front to me anyway. Was told pre game that Chiva Rodriguez just isnt training ? and unlikely to figure this season.... pity!
I think in general it was a necessarily defensive game from us (despite the three goals), partly due to having to remove Chuy and play with 10. But I agree that the likely goal-scorers on the pitch didn't totally wow me. When Jacob Powell came on towards the end he was active, and Tyrpak was great as usual, but I think Eddy Campbell must have been carrying an injury. Cuero kinda disappeared, and Sito Seone's final ball always seemed off despite his pretty successful midfield battles.
It's exciting that we have the potential of playing a MLS side but we've got to overcome the Wilmington Hammerheads. You can watch some of their full matches from this season on YouTube (). We really need to rally people (soccer fans and neutrals alike) to come out next Tuesday and wear blue.
After Panama City Beach drew tonght, we now only need 7 points from the last 3 matces to be in a position to host the Southern Conference playoffs in Austin. Saturday is big, as OKC have to do well to maintain the second playoff spot from Mid South.
El Paso should be a guaranteed 3. But I'd feel much better if we got six points out of OKC and West Texas... and Panama City and Ocala dropped some more points.
It was great to see us clinch the division in front of a 2000+ crowd. So is it that the team with the most points hosts the playoff game, regardless of what seed they are? I.E. the first and second seed in the Southeast could host if they have more points than their opponents in the Mid-south? Why not just let the top seed from each division host? Also, will the first round of the playoffs be a one-game contest?
The way hosting works is that the team in the Southern Conference (made up of the Mid South & Southeastern Divisions) with the greatest total of points gets the first bid for hosting the playoffs for the Southern Conference. Right now, the Aztex have 31 points from 12 matches, 3 more than Panama City Beach who also have played 12 matches. We need 4 points (a win & a draw) to win the right to host. The Aztex have already stated they will host given the right. If all goes well, we'll play the #2 team from the Southeastern Division on July 26.
I feel better. Not yet much better. But better. I think the question now is what West Texas team shows up Thursday. Will it be this team? Or this team? Looking at their most recent schedule, they have played their first game of a two-game weekend VERY tough, holding Laredo to a tie, and only losing to us by one down a man. They once again got a player red-carded on Sunday, so David Gonzales (the goalscorer on Sunday, and their current #2 scorer) won't be available Thursday. Considering the number of players that have gotten cautions their past few games, I wonder if they have any other players that will need to sit.