The 2014 Austin Aztex Season

I'm disappointed that I'm going to miss the entire 2014 season due to being out of the country until August or so. Who knows, maybe I can grab some post-season action, if the team is successful and the timing works out.

 

As I look at this schedule, and assuming it will be the final schedule, it looks pretty straight forward to me. We know Houston, Laredo and Midland, and did very well against all 3 last season only dropping the aware Laredo match 1-0. Of the 3 times that we play Laredo, 2 are in Austin and 1 is away. Mississippi is a team we used to have in our PDL league years ago, and they were typically weren't a significant challenge for us. If you look at their performance last season. The Brilla were 6-7-1 last season and in the middle of the Southeast Division, although they dropped 3 or their final 4 matches of the season. It's disappointing that Midsouth continues to be small, and that there aren't more franchises in Texas. Think about it. There's nothing in DFW, Corpus Christi, Waco, San Antonio, or a number of metro areas, not including El Paso which is in real trouble.

Another great point is this is the first season in the last 3 where our first game is a home game (against HOU on May 10th). Really looking forward to the season, as well as the answers soon to come around replacement for Dalglish as well as the roster.

 

To me Mississippi makes sense being in your division. Having them be in the Southeast with 7 teams from Florida last season didn't make a whole lot of sense and make travel a bear. Not that they are any closer to Texas, but it does help even out the numerics a bit.

From what I've seen of the Brilla over the past two seasons they are definitely a scrappy bunch. If they return with that same mentality it will make for some interesting contests.

 

new coach named...

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/780180.html

 

2014 tournament: May 22-25, Baltimore

Men: Austin Aztex, RVA FC, RWB Adria, NTX Rayados

Women: Pali Blues, San Diego Sea Lions, ASA Chesapeake Charge, Houston Aces

http://soccermidwest.us/2014/04/10/...r-championships-set-for-memorial-day-weekend/

 

Ooh, a champions league for amateurs. I hadn't heard of this.

Our USOC foes Rayados apparently won something, which is nice for them.

 

I've not seen anything on the from the Aztex FO, and wouldn't be surprised if they don't participate. Not only is it a significant hit to travel budgets, but it conflicts with the home USLPDL match with the Brilla. I'll definitely keep my ears to the ground on this though. I really like the concept, but wonder if this year is the kick off or if they have to push it out.

 

my guess is that the details were ironed out for all the teams involved well in advance of the presser

 

http://www.uslpdl.com/home/803900.html

 

USOC...

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/04/24/09/27/140424-usoc-2014-tournament-announcement

 

Rayados again? I guess the draw is sort of region-based at the lowest levels, to keep travel costs down?

 

Aztex, I hope your team does their part so that we may finally have an Austin vs. San Antonio match at Toyota Field.

 

the other USOC 3rd round pairings...

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/05/08/16/48/140508-usoc-third-round-pairings

 

That's not working for me. But I found the list here

 

so sorry Violet, not sure why US Soccer took down the article...so I do apologize.

 

winners...

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/807909.html

 

Oh Dutch Lions. Always fun to play them.

I'm missing this season due to being far away, but I hope to return in time for the postseason.

 

Disappointing loss to NTX Rayados and our dreams of USOC glory are ended before we even got to take them to San Antonio. :-(

Here's a good writeup of the game, from Austin's own Lanny Short: http://thecup.us/2014-us-open-cup-r...imes-stuns-austin-aztex-in-pk-thriller-video/ Includes video highlights.

 

http://www.uslpdl.com/home/817613.html

Saturday night at House Park in Austin as the Austin Aztex defeated the Laredo Heat, 4-1

 

Thanks for the loan, Aztex.... Tony Rocha scored at 84' to tie a friendly against CF Monterrey... http://www.tulsaathletics.com/news/tulsa-defeats-cf-monterrey-in-penalty-kicks/

Tony with the howitzer shot 2:20 into this clip of highlights... and scores the A's 3rd goal in the PK tiebreaker...

 

Damn my extended absence. When and why did Rocha get loaned to Tulsa or any NPSL team?

 

I don't think you missed much, maybe he's just visiting some college buddies over the summer... I was as surprised as anybody... a big block of our NPSL club's players are current and former TU people.
http://www.tulsaathletics.com/club/players/

But Ray Saari and Bradley Bourgeois, who played for Houston Dutch Lions last season, have been playing for us this season... and Matt Boultt has been working and playing for us as well...

 

My understanding is that Tony needed to be in Tulsa for the remainder of the summer for some personal and university commitments (he will be a senior at TU this year), hence the "loan" to Tulsa Athletics.

 

The Aztex have clinched as Mid South Division champions again this year, and won the bid to host the Southern Conference finals here in Austin the weekend of July 26th: http://austinaztex.com/2014/07/11/aztex-to-host-conference-championships/

As I understand it the two semifinal games will be held on Saturday, 7/26, the winners advancing to a final on Sunday, 7/27. That winner, of course, advances to national finals. Here's hoping our Aztex finish their final PDL season with another great run, and that we are not only in those national finals but host them here in Austin again!