The Aztexan

I just finished reading The Boys From Little Mexico – A Season Chasing the American Dream, by Steve Wilson. It was excellent, and thoroughly enjoyable, and I recommend it.

The book is about a high school soccer team in Woodburn, Oregon, and their quest for the state championship. What makes their story more interesting is the fact that, unlike almost every other team in the state, the team is almost entirely Hispanic.

At first it seemed a little incongruous that there would be a large community of Mexican immigrants in the Pacific Northwest, closer to Canada than Mexico. But the explanation of how that came to be, dating back to the World War II-era Bracero Program, is just the start of the story Wilson has written.

It’s a good example of one of my favorite aspects of this book: Wilson’s ability to zoom out from the details of the story in Woodburn, give a thorough, “big picture” background, and then zoom back in to the the people at the heart of the story. He does this many times, covering everything from historical immigration, to ESL (English as a second language) instruction, to the physics behind “bending it like Beckham”, to Major League Soccer’s evolving relationship to Latino players and fans:

In an interview on ThisIsAmericanSoccer.com^[link], Sports Illustrated soccer writer Luis Bueno said that he felt MLS clubs need to work harder to find Mexican American athletes because Latinos tend to play in less-established, less-wealthy leagues.

“I have a cousin who’s pretty good at soccer, I think he’s 15. I’m thinking, “Alright, is he going to have the chance to go to college?” Probably not. I’m just being honest. He plays on club teams right now. They’re not the big club teams that the Sacha Kljestans played for and the Bornsteins and the Benny Feilhabers. Those guys had the opportunities to play on those teams whereas someone like my cousin doesn’t. Maybe he plays high school and then that’s it. There are a lot of players like that, who for financial reasons just can’t afford it.”

Bueno, like other MLS critics, wonders if the coaches of MLS and U.S. national teams realize how much talent may be in their own backyard.

“We don’t know,” he said. “There could be the next Landon [Donovan] out here, the next [Jozy] Altidore. We don’t know since it’s something that’s never really been explored.”

But I don’t mean to say this book is an academic essay at all; far from it. The remarkable thing about these zoom-outs of big picture information is that they’re able to add so much to the story in spite of how brief they are.

For it’s the story, and the people in it, that are central here. This book will introduce you to a rich cast of characters, not just the boys on the team, but also their coaches, teachers and foster parents.

The boys on his team were like the boys in his classroom, who never raised their hands and were reluctant to voice an opinion. They were afraid to fail. They were the first generation, or immigrants themselves, and they were supposed to make everything better. By winning the championship. By learning English. By graduating from high school. By going to college. By making a good living. His guys were supposed to break the pattern, and they knew it and it weighed on them.

One of the these characters is Octavio, whose story is traced from the Mexican village where he was born, to his time with the Club Atlas youth program, to his harrowing journey over the border into the U.S., and of course, to his quest for the Oregon high school soccer championship with Woodburn High. Octavio’s story in particular is one that I won’t soon forget, and that I know will come to mind whenever the subject of immigration in America comes up.

Another aspect of the book that impressed me is the soccer writing itself. Wilson really brings to life the action and excitement of the team’s games. The glory of victory and the crush of defeat both feel as vivid as if you were there — maybe more so, given the omniscient coverage of players, coaches and fans.

Reading this during the month-long World Cup, I was struck by the idea of the power of soccer (or sports in general) to transform people, communities, etc. Whether it’s immigrant high school kids in Oregon having something positive to work and fight for, or an African nation wanting to show that it deserves respect on the world stage, it’s quite a theme. But is it real?

I think the paradox of it is that such a storyline is both true and false. Yes, the chance to be on the Woodburn Bulldogs soccer team (or Los Perros, as it’s now more commonly known) is an important, even crucial, part of those young mens’ lives. But at the same time, it’s not magic fairy dust. The team gives them something to work and fight for, but they still have to do the working and fighting.

This fine book brings it all to vivid life. Pick up a copy, I’m confident you’ll find a lot to enjoy from it.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but the time I spent reading and reviewing it was my own. I wouldn't have bothered with either if it wasn't worth it.]

AustinAztex.com — Aztex Add Depth to Midfield with Addition of Hemming

The Austin Aztex made a move to sure up [sic] their midfield on Tuesday by trading for the Montreal Impact’s Tyler Hemming for future considerations. Hemming, a capped Canadian international, has played in five matches for the Impact this season, four of those in a starting role.

“We are delighted to add Tyler to the team,” Head Coach Adrian Heath said. “Tyler is going to add much-needed depth to the midfield as we make our push to the playoffs and look to maintain our position on top of the league table.”

Maybe we’ll see Hemming, or some of the trialists in town this week, in this Saturday’s home game against Miami FC.

The Aztex have (finally!) opened an online store. This is good news not only for those of us in Texas, but for Aztex fans around the world (and due in part to the team’s affiliation with Stoke City, you can be sure that that market exists).

There’s a good selection: just about anything one would want, I think. Jerseys, scarves and t-shirts, of course; also jackets, seat cushions and vuvuzelas (yes, really).

Though there isn’t currently a way to specify personalization options, such as a name on the back of a jersey, you can get that by contacting the team via email along with your order. (That’s one thing holding me back from buying a 2010 jersey: deciding what to get on the back. It’s down to either “Aztexan” or “Soccerette”. . .)

One nice feature of the store: local customers can save on shipping by picking up their order at the Aztex office (13359 N. US 183, map ) or the next Aztex home game.

Check out the Aztex Merchandise online store.

News 8 — Athlete of the Week: Griffin maxing out potential with the Aztex

News 8 Austin’s commendably good coverage of the Aztex continues with this nice video (1 min 39 sec). Unfortunately it’s not embeddable, so you’ll have to click the link to watch it. The charming bit at the end, about why Max and his brother Leonard both play for the Aztex, made me laugh.

photo: AustinAztex.com Photo Gallery

It was a hot one at House Park on Saturday night. And the same way that the thermometer doesn’t always reflect how hot it really feels, so too, a final scoreline doesn’t always tell the whole story, either. That was certainly the case at House Park this weekend.

The 3,702 fans in attendance found the Aztex pressing hard from the opening whistle, barely letting St. Louis have the ball. The shot stats give a better idea of the heat the Red & White were pouring on: they took 15 in the first half, vs. St. Louis’ 1. Though the visitors fought back with intensity in the second half, they were a man down by that point, and it was too little, too late.

Though it was a solid win, I can’t help but feel that Austin should have really crushed this one. Playing at home, having the clearly stronger offense, with the benefit of a 1-man advantage, St. Louis was lucky (or did well defensively, depending on how you look at it) to not get really clobbered in this game.

Here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage:

• box score — USSF

• Aztex Blank AC St. Louis; Further Stretch League Lead — AustinAztex.com
  

  Ten minutes later, Jamie Watson was able to deliver a ball to Lance Watson that put the midfielder in a favorable scoring position. In an effort to halt Lance’s scoring chance, Dufty took him down inside the six-yard box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Aztex.

  Eddie Johnson stepped up to take the kick for the Aztex and attempted to place it to the Dufty’s left. With a quick reaction, Dufty was able to push the ball away from goal, denying Johnson his 10th tally this season.

• Austin Aztex beat St. Louis — Austin American-Statesman
  

  Austin earned redemption in the 34th when a Yordany Alvarez free kick floated toward a contested Jay Needham in the box. In the middle of the scrum Needham’s header deflected off St. Louis’ Jeff Cosgriff, who was given a red card for a handball, setting up another penalty kick. This time Jamie Watson stepped up to take the penalty and sent the shot into the lower right for the goal.

• AC St. Louis Lose 2-0 at Austin — The AC St. Louis Fanatic
  

  AC St. Louis in the second half had the daunting task of trying to win being a man down against the best offense in USSF D2 on the road. Coach Dale Schilly made liberal use of his substitutes, as Ryan Moore, John Lesko, Elvir Kafedzic and Alex Titton came in — Brad Stisser came in during the first half when Chris Salvaggione took a hard knock and was stretchered off the field. And although AC St. Louis made a game effort, the Aztex were able to double the lead in the 69th minute on a Maxwell Griffin goal. Being a man down in the 90-plus degree Texas heat was too tall of an order for the Saints to overcome, although they did force Aztex goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo into making some good saves on some hard, long-range shots.

• Photos (20): Aztex vs. AC St. Louis, 7-17 — AustinAztex.com Photo Gallery

• Video: Aztex extend unbeaten streak blanking St. Louis 2-0 (1:35) — News 8 Austin

• Video: Aztex 2, AC St. Louis 0 – Highlights (1:13) — AztexSoccer on YouTube

  Don’t miss the unbelievable defensive save St. Louis’s Jack Traynor makes of a lovely little chip from Eddie Johnson; see it from 0:18 to 0:28.

The Aztex won’t play again for two weeks, when they host Miami FC again on Saturday, July 31. I understand the players will be given some days off, and have a chance to really relax, visit family, etc. Congratulations to the team on a great season so far, enjoy a well-earned rest and good bragging rights with friends and family, and see you all back dominating the league in a couple of weeks!

Bleacher Report — This Is the Los Angeles Galaxy: Yohance Marshall

Football shares a few parallels with life in general. One of those parallels is a significant one: Getting a chance to prove yourself isn’t always a given.

For Yohance Marshall, it’s a parallel he knows very well. Standing tall at 6’2″ (1.88 m), this defender from Trinidad & Tobago has yet to shine on game day for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Currently, he is playing for the Austin Aztex in the USSF Division 2 Professional League on loan from the Gs. One day, his experience playing on the back line at House Park will translate to many memorable matches at the Home Depot Center.

Read it all.

The Aztex return to Austin to host AC St. Louis for their first match after the completion of the 2010 World Cup. Will we see some of those huge numbers of Cup final viewers? While Austin vs. St. Louis may not have quite the cachet of Spain vs. Netherlands, we’ve seen some exciting soccer at House Park, and I hope Saturday evening is no exception.

St. Louis continues to struggle through their inaugural season. Their 3-8-4 record gives them just 13 points from 15 games, putting them right at the bottom of the league table. The pregame story on the Aztex website calls them “streaking” over the last 6 games, but I think that’s a generous description of a 2-1-3 run.

Saturday’s game will be the second of a four-game road-trip for St. Louis. The first was just Wednesday night against the NSC Minnesota Stars. Though they got a point from the 2-2 draw, to St. Louis it must have felt like a loss: they were leading 2-0 until the 87th minute (match report/box score).

Austin will be looking to regain its offensive firepower in this game. Having averaged 2 goals per game for the first 14 games of the year, the Red & White haven’t scored at all in the last two matches. Perhaps the return of midfielder Lance Watson, just back last weekend after being absent since early June with hamstring trouble, will spark the Aztex offense.

Unfortunately, on the defensive end, stalwart Kieron Bernard is listed as questionable for Saturday with a groin injury.

The Aztex have teamed up with “Austin Pets Alive!” (APA), an organization working to stop the practice of killing stray cats and dogs in Austin. If you order your tickets from this fundraising page, the Aztex will donate 20% of your ticket price to APA.

Kickoff is the usual time: 7:30 PM. And the pre-match gathering at The Tavern is the usual time, as well: 5:30. And don’t forget the after-match spot, Cuatro’s, which is sure to be a victory celebration. Come on out and have a great Austin evening of live, pro soccer. Go Aztex!

ESPN MediaZone — 2010 World Cup Final on ABC: Most-Watched Men’s World Cup Game Ever

Sunday’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Final on ABC – a 1-0 victory by Spain in extra time over the Netherlands – ranks as the most-watched Men’s World Cup game ever among viewers.

The top 10 metered markets for Sunday’s four-hour telecast (including pre- and post-match programming) were:

1. San Francisco (14.7)
2. San Diego (13.6)
3. New York (13.1)
4. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (12.0)
5. Washington, D.C. (11.9)
6. Los Angeles (11.3)
7. Austin, Texas (10.4)
8. Seattle-Tacoma (10.0)
9. Cincinnati (9.5)
10. Boston (9.1)

Again: welcome, Austin soccer fans! Now, come check out live, local soccer!

Red Bull USA — Red Bull Battle del Toro:

Red Bull Battle Del Toro is a spirited, fiercely competitive homage to the Battle of the Alamo – soccer style. Throughout this three-day tournament, four U16 teams from Texas featuring some of the state’s biggest phenoms will clash cleats with four U16 teams from Mexico boasting some of the country’s top emerging stars.

Qualifying games are 6 & 8 PM on Thursday and Friday, final round games at 6 and 8 on Saturday. Admission to San Antonio’s STAR Soccer Complex is $5 per day.

The U16 Mexican teams are Club America, Tigres UANL, Atlas and Chivas de Guadalajara; the U16 Texan teams are Classics Elite (San Antonio), Dallas Texans, FC Dallas and Albion Hurricanes (Houston).

(Via Austin Chronicle.)

Austin Pets Alive! — Soccer Fever:

If you can’t get enough of soccer watching, check out Austin’s own soccer team, the Aztex. The Aztex will donate 20% of all ticket sales for the game on Saturday, July 17th that come from this link: http://aztex-soccer.com/apa

It’s just a few hours after the final whistle of the final game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Spain’s players are still getting used to being Champions of the World. After a month full of soccer day and night, I’m not going through full withdrawal quite yet. Just a little bit of the shakes so far.

Inevitably, this feeling reminds me of the end of the 2006 World Cup, when I really fell in love with soccer. I’d gotten hooked on the daily dosage in the group stages, they were a gateway drug to the bigger and bigger games, and then: the end. It’s over, cold turkey. What now? Where’s my fix?!

I still remember heading to The Google with a question that seems absurd now, and will strike regular readers of this blog as silly, as well: “Do they play soccer in the U.S., too?”

If you wondered the same thing, and your search brought you here, I have good news: Indeed they do play soccer in the U.S. They play it at all levels, and in lots of cities across the country. They even play soccer right here in Austin!

Here’s a quick overview of what’s on offer here in Austin, elsewhere in Texas and elsewhere in America.

Major League Soccer (MLS) — This is the top level of U.S. soccer, the best of the best. Like any pro league, it features players from all over the world, not just Americans. David Beckham (LA Galaxy), for example; you might have heard of him. He’s on the injury list at the moment, but there are other relatively famous players plying their trade in MLS: Mexico’s Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire) and Sweden’s Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders) to name a couple. They’ll be joined later this month by France’s Thierry Henry (Red Bull New York).

Some of the guys you saw play for the U.S. men’s national team also play in MLS: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy) and — last but certainly not least — Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy).

There are 16 teams in MLS this year, with 2 more (Portland and Vancouver) next season. That includes 2 Texas teams: FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo. Dallas is “my” MLS team, the one I landed on after my search four years ago. To this day that’s who I follow, including a trip or two per season to Dallas to see them in person.

Division 2 (USSF-D2) — As is pretty obvious from the name, this is the second level of soccer in the U.S. It was formerly called “USL-1″, but due to some ownership and league drama that I won’t go into here, it’s being run this year directly by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Like MLS, it’s a league of paid professional athletes. The 12 teams are in smaller cities, and the players aren’t as famous (yet), but the play can still be very good.

This is where Austin comes in: the Austin Aztex are a USSF-D2 team. (In fact, so far this season, they’re the best USSF-D2 team.) The Aztex franchise launched here in 2008, and now I can go to a lot more games, and without road-tripping four hours up I-35 first.

Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) — This is a new league, in just its second season. Despite some growing pains (two teams have been added, but two others have folded since last year), the quality of play from these 7 teams is also excellent. Some of the very best women players in the world play in WPS. These include U.S. national team stars like Hope Solo (Atlanta Beat), Abby Wambach (D.C.’s Washington Freedom) and Natasha Kai (New Jersey’s Sky Blue FC), as well as foreign stars like England’s Eniola Aluko (Atlanta), France’s Sonia Bompastor (Washington) and Brazil’s 4-time FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, Marta (San Jose’s FC Gold Pride).

Premier Development League (PDL) — Broadly speaking, most of the more than 70 teams that make up the PDL are college players getting game time on their summer break. So, their season is short (May to July), and many of the teams are amateur. The Aztex fielded a team at this level in 2008 and 2009 (the Aztex U-23s), but not this season.

There are other leagues, USL-2, PASL, MISL and W-League, not to mention college teams, but these are the ones I’m most familiar with. Hopefully this overview will get you started in your search for soccer closer to home than Johannesburg.

In addition to the jumping-off point that I hope this list of leagues, teams and players will give you, I’ll add this editorial, free of charge.

You may have heard, or will hear, that soccer in the U.S. isn’t as good as soccer in England. Or Mexico, or Italy, or Spain, or the 63rd moon of Jupiter, or wherever. In some cases that’s obviously true. The West Texas United Sockers are a decent PDL team, but they’ll never hold a candle to FC Barcelona. In other cases it’s less clear-cut: the LA Galaxy on a good day would give most Premier League teams a run for their money, at least.

But even supposing for a minute that it’s a fact that U.S. soccer is somehow inherently inferior than Fox Soccer Channel’s marquee match of the week, I still urge you to find a local team and go to a few games. (One game isn’t really enough. If you watched enough World Cup you already know that sometimes, matches between even the best teams can be less than thrilling.)

But if you can watch the top teams from across the world play all weekend long on ESPN, why bother? For one thing, for the sport to evolve here to the level of those other countries (and moons), there needs to be fan support, butts in seats, tickets sold, nachos bought, salaries paid, etc. It’s a whole supply-and-demand kind of thing. Or demand-and-supply, or something. Look, this isn’t an economics blog.

But completely aside from any “for the good of the sport” sermon, live soccer is different than — better than — soccer on TV. It’s a hi-def, surround-sound, panoramic view and you don’t need special glasses to see it in 3D. Get to know your team, your players, at your home ground. Feel the glory of the wins, the crush of the losses and the everything-in-between of the draws, right there in the stands with your fellow fans.

Also, you may not realize what you’re missing watching on TV, where the camera naturally follows the ball most of the time. There’s more going on than where the ball happens to be at any given moment. There’s the flow, the formation, the positioning of the players. Not to mention the tension and excitement of the crowd around you. When you’re sitting in the stands, you can take it all in.

It’s a beautiful game. See you there.

[This post is not really related to the original Hi, America. Welcome to Soccer post in anything but title. In fact, it's aimed at a completely opposite audience. Oh, well. I started with wanting to tell the legions of new soccer fans that I'm sure now exist in Austin about the Aztex, but it kind of spiraled out of control. I also wanted to make sure search sites know I'm in Austin, writing about pro soccer, specifically the Aztex soccer team. Soccer. Austin. Catch that, Google?]

Update, 7/12/10: This post by photographer AustinPixels gets to the point I was originally after. It manages to do it with far fewer words, and without straying to Jupiter or WPS. In defense of my wordiness, he used pictures, and those are worth a thousand words each.

photo: DemocratAndChronicle.com

I had to miss a fair bit of this game, but what I saw was a rain-soaked standoff between two of the toughest teams in the league. Props to the Aztex for holding on to the “undefeated on the road” mantle, that’s not insignificant. And it was nice to have Lance Watson back in the starting 11. But somebody in red & white needs to start scoring again.

Here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage:

• box score — USSF

• Aztex Play Rochester to Scoreless Tie — AustinAztex.com
  

  As the clock neared the 90-minute mark, the frenzied shots picked up, including a cross from the right side of the pitch that landed safely in Gallardo’s hands – until the rain-soaked ball slipped out right to a waiting Rhinos player who fired a rocket on net. Fortunately for the visitors, Bernard had not given up on the play and was able to get enough of the ball to send it back on its way and away from danger.

• Rochester Rhinos tie Austin Aztex — Democrat and Chronicle
  

  “I don’t think we took enough risk,” [Rhinos coach Bob Lilley] said after his second-place team failed to gain ground on Austin, which maintained its six-point lead in the USL Conference at the midway point of Rochester’s schedule.

  “If you want to win these games we have to do more. I don’t feel like we were poor, we just didn’t do enough. Games like this aren’t generally going to be decided by a mistake. Teams that are playing well, you’re going to have to find a good goal.” Austin led 10-8 in shots and 8-3 in corner kicks.

• Photos (10): Austin Aztex vs. Rochester Rhinos — Democrat and Chronicle

The Aztex return to House Park next Saturday, July 17, to face last-place AC St. Louis for the second of four times this season.

The Aztex are in New York, preparing for Friday night’s game against the Rochester Rhinos. This will be a rematch of one of Austin’s two losses of the year, from all the way back in April, when the Rhinos handed our boys a 1-2 loss at House Park.

Since then, Rochester has kept up a good record. At 7-3-4, they’re in 2nd place in our conference, and 3rd place in the league, and with at least one game in hand over both teams they’re chasing (Austin and Vancouver).

Similar to the Aztex’s U.S. Open Cup fortunes, the Rhinos exited in the third round, to an MLS opponent. They were knocked out by the Columbus Crew after Felix Motagalvan got ejected with a straight red in the 85th minute, and they gave up the winning goal in the 2-1 game to Steve Lenhart in the 94th.

Friday’s game will be the third and final of a short home stand for the Rhinos, and hopefully an end to an unbeaten streak (not counting the Open Cup loss) that stretches back to May 22. Their most recent match was a 2-1 win over the Montreal Impact last Saturday (match report/box score).

Kickoff for the Aztex-Rhinos match is 6:30 PM CT. It can be watched live at rhinossoccer.tv. You’re also invited to join Chantico’s Army’s watch party at Cuatro’s, starting at 6:00.

U.S. Soccer: Austin Aztex Forward Max Griffin Named June Player of the Month

The Palmdale, Calif., native opened the month with a goal at home in Austin’s 2-1 win on June 3 against the Puerto Rico Islanders. He then recorded the first hat trick in franchise history in the 3-1 home win against Miami FC on June. With the help of his 13 shots from the point of attack, the Aztex jumped out to a 3-1-1 record for the month in league play.

Griffin now finds himself in the top five of every major offensive category in the league in just his first year with the club, including points (13), goals (5), assists (3) and shots (30).

It was Eddie Johnson last month (for May), now it’s Max. Check back next month to see whose turn it will be in July.

Read it all.

ESPN Soccernet: World Cup 2010: Montevideo celebrates victory in defeat

There’s nowhere else quite like Montevideo for feeling the footballing history of a city, and watching a World Cup semi-final in the city where the first ever World Cup was held was quite something. Gio van Bronckhorst’s stunner early on silenced the plaza and seemingly the whole city, but only momentarily – seconds later the chants of “U-RU-GUAY! U-RU-GUAY!” started up again louder than ever. When Diego Forlan pulled the trigger shortly before half-time, the place simply exploded.

Read it all.

Despite the threat of rain earlier in the day, it turned out to be a beautiful evening at House Park Saturday night. Unfortunately the Aztex performance wasn’t quite as enjoyable.

Though they managed to get a point, Austin scored neither of the match’s two goals. And that was despite the state of Puerto Rico‘s defense. In addition to giving up an own-goal in the first minute, keeper Bill Gaudette had a shaky game, including trouble with his leg for the last third of the game.

The Red & White remain at the top of the league, but they’ll need to start scoring again soon if they want to stay there. They’ll visit the Rochester Rhinos, currently 6 points back but with a game in hand, this Friday.

The attendance, at least, was good: 4,050. That’s the second time we’ve broken 4,000 (not counting the Haiti benefit match and the Tampa Bay match where the stands were carpeted with free passes). There were a good number of vocal Islanders’ fans at the game; maybe it’s no coincidence that the other greater-than-4K game was the last time Puerto Rico came to town.

Here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage:

• box score — USSF

• Aztecs [sic] tie Puerto Rico Islanders — Austin American-Statesman
  

  After only 30 seconds, a Jamie Watson cross was misplayed by Puerto Rico defender Richard Martinez, who sent the ball in his own net, giving the Aztex an early lead.

  The scenario nearly repeated moments later when the a backpedaling Marco Velez almost sent an Austin throw-in into the Puerto Rico net. In the 12th minute, the Islanders came close to another own goal when both Puerto Rico’s David Horst and Austin’s Eddie Johnson challenged an aerial cross, but Puerto Rico keeper William Gaudette was able to recover before it went over .

  I cannot believe that our hometown paper, in the middle of the season, after soccer fever has swept the land, made this idiotic misspelling mistake with the team’s name. Sigh.

• Aztex Grab Tie Against Puerto Rico; Remain in First Place — AustinAztex.com
  

  Johnson nearly put a second tally on the board for the Aztex when his powering shot was pushed away by Gaudette. Aztex captain Kevin Sakuda struck a 60-yard ball behind the Islanders’ backline for Johnson to run onto. When Johnson got into the box he was able to spin around and split a couple defenders before getting his shot off.

  Keon Daniel earned the equalizer in the 75th minute when he hit a laser from just outside of the Aztex goal box. The left-footed strike left Aztex goal keeper Miguel Gallardo with little chance to make a save.

• Video: Aztex vs Puerto Rico Highlights (1:01) — AztexSoccer on YouTube

Austin heads out on a one-game road trip this week: they’ll play the Rochester Rhinos on Friday, 6:30 PM CT. They return to House Park to host AC St. Louis the following weekend, Saturday July 17.

The Aztex may be out of the Open Cup, but their standing in the league is as strong as it’s been all season. At 7:30 tonight, Saturday July 3, the Puerto Rico Islanders will put them to the test at House Park once again.

Puerto Rico continue to struggle this season. Their 4-6-1- record puts them in last place in the USL Conference (though not in the league overall). One of those losses was at House nearly a month ago, when the Red & White beat them 2-1. Their most recent game was a 3-0 road loss to the Rochester Rhinos last Saturday (match report/box score).

But Coach Heath isn’t taking the Islanders for granted:

“Puerto Rico is always tough competition for us,” Aztex coach Adrian Heath said. “We expect this game to be very close, as it always is between us, and hope we can find a way to get a result out of the match like the last time we played them.”

The edges of Hurricane Alex have kept it rainy this week in Austin, and there’s a continued chance of rain tonight. Note that Aztex games always take place rain or shine. Bring a poncho or an umbrella, but don’t let the threat of a little precipitation keep you home.

As usual, fans will start gathering at The Tavern on Lamar about 2 hours before the 7:30 PM kickoff. If you’re looking for people to talk with about yesterday’s Dutch upset of Brazil, Luis Suárez‘s “Hand of God 2010″ or whatever excitement comes out of today’s World Cup quarterfinal matches, you won’t find a better group in Austin than Aztex fans preparing for a home game. Except, possibly, Aztex fans (and players, coaches and staff) celebrating a home win at Cuatro’s on 24th. See you there!

After this game, the Aztex head “up east” to face the Rochester Rhinos next Friday evening (6:30 CT). The next home game is Saturday, July 17, hosting AC St. Louis.

KUT 90.5: Is Austin Becoming a Soccer Town?

Phil Rawlins is the president and owner of the Austin Aztex, Austin’s only professional level soccer club. He says lately more people have been coming to watch them play.

“We’re seeing about a ten to fifteen percent increase just prior to the World Cup,” said Rawlins, “and then post the World Cup we’re definitely seeing a spike in interest.”

And next door at Soccer USA, the manager Bill Tripplet said business is booming. The store sold out of USA jerseys and has been doing a brisk business in Dutch jersey’s since that team’s victory against Brazil.

Read it all.

SI.com’s Joe Posnanski: The Meaning of Garra

Before Uruguay, soccer apparently was a game of long passes and violence; the sport was direct, forceful, without guile, rugby without hands. In 1924 and 1928, Uruguay took its style to the Olympics — short passes, individual brilliance, something like dancing. Uruguay won, often by spectacular scores — 7-0 over Yugoslavia, 3-0 over the United States and Sweden, 4-1 over Germany. The beauty was what struck people. This was art.

A link to this Sports Illustrated blog post about the history and current state of the Uruguay national team is a little outside the scope of what I usually cover here. But I have more than one reason to share it with you:

1. I have a more or less random but nonetheless keen fascination, almost obsession, with Uruguay. (I don’t know why; blame Bajofondo. And Wikipedia.) So I would have been interested in this anyway. And I also hope that publishing it here somehow gets me introduced to some Uruguayan expats who wind up inviting my family and me to stay for a week or two at their summer place in Montevideo.
2. Uruguay vs Ghana in the quarterfinals, and after Ghana sent the U.S. home from South Africa, we’ll all be Uruguayans on Friday, right?
3. It’s just really an excellent article. It’s a perfect capsule of everything I love most about the World Cup. Soccer, of course, but served with generous helpings of history, geography and philosophy. Fantastic!

One more excerpt, because I can’t resist (though you should really read it all).

But to get to the point, Uruguay had competed in two World Cups… and won them both. When the final ended, Jules Rimet — one of the founders of the World Cup and the man whose name is on the trophy — offered his definition of Garra Charrua, that spirit which had driven Uruguayan soccer. He said:

“In football, playing well is not sufficient. You also need to feel it profoundly as does Uruguay.”

photo: Dentro del Rebaño

The Aztex’s 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run is over, halted once again by an MLS opponent. The team with the best record in USSF-D2 (9-2-3) went up against a team with one of the worst in MLS (3-9-1), but Chivas USA managed to get — and hold — a 1-goal lead.

There was no video broadcast of this match, so those of us that stayed up to follow the west-coast game did so via Twitter or the Scorecrow gamecast.

Here’s a rundown of post-match coverage:

• Chivas USA scores early, holds on for win in U.S. Open Cup — LA Daily News

  The Aztex created another solid scoring opportunity in the 67th minute when Eddie Johnson, who shares the same name as the former U.S. national player, had his point-blank header pushed out of play by Thornton.

  Johnson took advantage of a solid curving corner kick from defender Kevin Sakuda. Thornton’s save bounced back to Olum, but the former Missouri Baptist standout had a second attempt ricochet off a defender and out of play.

  Austin outshot Chivas 9-7, but the home team posted five shots on goal to four for the Aztex.

• Aztex Bow Out of U.S. Open Cup to MLS Competition — AustinAztex.com
  

  Chivas USA Head Coach Martín Vásquez, on tonight’s match: “I thought we did well against a good team. I like the way we approached the game. We were serious, we were disciplined, and we created some good chances. That’s all positive at this time where we need to reinforce and have something to build on.”

• Photos: Chivas USA vs. Austin Aztex photo gallery — Dentro del Rebaño (official Chivas USA blog)

The Aztex are now back in Texas, preparing to host the Puerto Rico Islanders this Saturday evening at House Park.

AustinAztex.com: Aztex Move Up to MLS Competition in Open Cup Round of 16

After defeating the PDL’s DFW Tornados and the amateur Arizona Sahuaros, the Austin Aztex get a change of both competition and scenery in the 2010 U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.

With two straight home games to start the tournament in the books, the Aztex are finally forced to hit the road for the round of 16 matchup against the MLS’ Chivas USA.

The game will be the first of the U.S. Open Cup for Chivas USA, as MLS teams are introduced to the tournament in the round of 16. Austin reached this game by defeating the DFW Tornados, 3-0, and the Arizona Sahuaros, 3-1.

There’s no word yet that any video will be available for this match, which kicks off at 9:30 PM CT. I’ll update this post if I hear anything about video availability. In any case, if we can find anyone to send texts or tweets from the game, then you can follow the Scorecrow gamecast.

Austin’s Pizza email: Our new specialty pizza: The Aztex Special

We are also launching a new specialty pizza this weekend in honor of World Cup and our partnership with the Austin Aztex. Pepperoni, jalapeño, & crushed red pepper. Just ask for the Aztex Special. It’s a hot one!

League play rolls on in the USSF-D2, in spite of epic, landscape-altering World Cup matches left and right. Such as today’s big second-round game, U.S.A.-Ghana (as if you need me to remind you). But no matter the result from that, Austin and Miami FC will be fighting for their next three points tonight in Florida.

Miami (2-3-7) have no wins from their previous four games, with the most recent being their 1-3 loss here in Austin last weekend.

A new twist to the budding rivalry between Austin and Miami: the winners of the game will hold a Willie Nelson-autographed guitar as trophy.

The U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association (USHCA) will attend the soccer game between the Blues and Aztex on Saturday at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Texas State Representative Diana Maldonado and City of Lockhart Mayor Pro Tem Frank Estrada are among the Austin area representatives who will attend the game to show support for the Aztex.

As a ceremonial end to the event, the losing team’s representatives will present the winner with a trophy that symbolizes the rivalry’s spirit – a guitar signed by Willie Nelson. The guitar will then be on the line from this point forth in every matchup between the two clubs as a trophy.

I recently read that more people are watching the World Cup in Miami than in any other U.S. market. I hope The Blues are able to somehow capitalize on that soon, and start drawing some bigger crowds.

Kickoff will be at 6:30 PM CT, free streaming video available at miamifc.com. Who’s turn is it for a hat-trick tonight? Tune in to find out!

Update: They didn’t take long to take my advice — I just saw Miami FC‘s head coach, Victor Pastora, being interviewed at some length on Univision’s República Deportiva prior to the U.S.A.-Ghana match. Nice work, Miami!

photo: AustinAztex.com Photo Gallery

Better late than never for this match report, I hope. It was a good game, another U.S. Open Cup win for the Aztex, and they’re on to face Chivas USA in the third round next Tuesday.

Here’s a brief rundown of post-match coverage:

• Peri Marosevic’s Hat Trick Pricks Sahuaros — AustinAztex.com

  Peri Marosevic found the back of the net three times en route to a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Sahuaros Tuesday at House Park. The three-goal performance is only the second hat trick in Aztex history.

  The Austin Aztex witnessed the first ever hat trick when forward Max Griffin scored three goals in a league showdown against Miami FC on June 19.

• Video: Austin Aztex U.S. Open Cup Second Round (1:01) — AztexSoccer on YouTube

The Aztex will face Miami FC again in regular season play on Saturday night, before their trip out to California for their third-round Open Cup match against Chivas. They’ll be back in Austin the following Saturday, July 3, to host the Puerto Rico Islanders.

The Aztex return to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play on Tuesday, June 22, hosting the Arizona Sahuaros at House Park at 7:30 PM.

The Sahuaros, who from what I can tell aren’t exactly in a particular league this year, got to this second round in Austin by beating the PDL’s Ventura County Fusion after extra time and penalties last week.

As the Aztex pre-game report details, Austin will be looking to advance to face an MLS opponent in the third round, as they did last year.

Austin has a 3-1-0 record in four U.S. Open Cup bouts, with two wins coming last year before bowing out to the Houston Dynamo. This season, the Aztex won their opening round game against the PDL’s DFW Tornados. With a victory against the USASA’s Suaharos, Austin moves on to face the MLS’ Chivas USA.

As with last Tuesday’s first round game, season and flex tickets won’t be accepted at the gate. The crowd was on the smaller side last week, but it was a good game (always easy to say about a 3-0 win). So come out Tuesday evening and enjoy another great match at our House.

Pre-game gathering, open to one and all as always, will be at The Tavern starting about two hours prior to kickoff.

After this midweek game, the Red & White will head to Florida, where they’ll have a rematch with Miami FC on Saturday eveinng.

photo: AustinAztex.com Photo Gallery

That’s the kind of Aztex team we wanted to see! In the midst of a bounty of World Cup group-stage matches, the 2,143 fans came out to see their local boys — and potential future national team players — at House Park last night. The play was good, and the atmosphere was exciting: we were on hand to witness Maxwell Griffin‘s hat trick, the first in team history.

Here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage:

• box score — USSF

• Griffin gets hat trick as Aztex win — Austin American-Statesman
  

  Austin’s Maxwell Griffin had seen the same situation play out only moments earlier. A one-on-one chance against the Miami goalkeeper had given Griffin the perfect opportunity to tally his third goal of the night and he missed the shot.

  This time, he wasn’t missing.

  Griffin bent in a goal in the 87th minute Saturday to clinch a 3-1 Austin (8-2-3) victory over Miami (2-3-7) and tally the first hat trick of his professional career. Griffin finished the game with eight shots, many of them in prime scoring position.

  “I easily could have had six today,” Griffin joked. “I’ll take the three goals. I’m happy with that.”

• Max Griffin’s Hat Trick Carries Aztex Past Miami — AustinAztex.com
  

  The game took an interesting turn when the referee handed out two red cards in the 60th minute following a confrontation between Aztex midfielder Sullivan Silva and Blues’ (2-3-7) midfielder Sean Cameron. Both players had to leave the game and each team played out the rest of the match with 10 a side.

• Video: Aztex vs Miami highlights (1:10) — AztexSoccer on YouTube

Austin and The Blues will have an immediate rematch in Miami next Saturday. But first, we’ll have one more game at House Park: the Red & White will play the Arizona Sahuaros in second round U.S. Open Cup action on Tuesday night. The winner of that match will face MLS’ Chivas USA, in Los Angeles, in the third round.

On Wednesday I scoffed at the idea that we might finally see the fieldhouse in use at Saturday’s game. But lo and behold, here it was!

(Click to see the whole Flickr set.)

So this “construction cam” is finally finished. (Maybe I should see if they’ll let me get inside for a few pictures…?)

Time once again for an Aztex game! For the game tonight, Saturday Jun. 19, Austin returns to league play. They’ll host Miami FC at House Park, kickoff at 7:30.

With a 2-2-7 record, Miami have had more draws than any other team this season. But they’ve won both of their last two: a 1-0 win over Portland at home last weekend (match report/box score), and a 5-1 rout (in overtime!) of the PDL’s Central Florida Kraze in first-round Open Cup action on Tuesday.

Austin will be hoping to have a game more like their own Open Cup victory on Tuesday, and less like last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Vancouver.

The Aztex pre-match report gives some hint as to the players we may see tonight:

Peri Marosevic, the most recent pick up for the Aztex, is expected to make his debut for the team.

Marosevic should aid the Aztex in their attempt to extend their league lead, which currently sits at five points.

Aztex center back Kieron Bernard is also expected to make an appearance for the team after a long absence due to a lingering hamstring injury. Bernard’s return will help provide depth to the Aztex backline.

Marosevic is on loan from FC Dallas until July 4:

Marosevic has also been a regular on the U.S. U-20 and U-18 rosters, and joined the U.S. U-20 squad for the 2009 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship last March. He played in four of the five games in the championship, scoring a goal in the opening match versus Jamaica. Last fall, he joined the U.S. U-20 team for the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.

As always, fans will start gathering at The Tavern on Lamar about 2 hours before the 7:30PM kickoff. What better place to discuss yesterday’s U.S. and England games than with your fellow Aztex fans?

And perhaps the most exciting news of all: word is that the new fieldhouse locker rooms are finally ready!

So come on out, and see the Red & White reignite their dominance of the 2010 season!

photo: AustinAztex.com Photo Gallery

A small crowd was on hand for the midweek opener of the 2010 U.S. Open Cup at House Park Tuesday evening. I can’t find an official attendance number, but I’d guess between 1,000 and 1,500. Those that made it out, however, were treated to a return to scoring form for the Red & White, Jamie Watson in particular.

Here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage:

With the win, the Aztex advance to the next round of the Cup, hosted here in Austin next Tuesday. As you can see on TheCup.us’ bracket, their next opponent will be the Arizona Sahuaros. Arizona advanced by beating the Ventura County Fusion, the 2009 PDL champions, on penalties last night.

But before that next Open Cup match, the Aztex return to league play Saturday evening at 7:30, hosting Miami FC at House Park.

The only difference you might notice is that I had to take the picture from a little different angle, because there was a big delivery truck blocking my usual view. There’s still what I take to be a construction trailer in the background (on the right), and the teams still weren’t using the facility on Tuesday night. Though we did notice on Tuesday that there were exterior lights on over the walkway in front, which we didn’t remember seeing before.

Maybe Saturday? Naaaaaaaah.

(Click to see the whole Flickr set.)

Tampa Bay Online: Rowdies’ Christie proud to represent New Zealand

This time promises to be different. In fact, soccer may be as big as it has ever been in both New Zealand and Australia, thanks to the Australian A-League, a similar-level league to Major League Soccer, and the Wellington Phoenix, based in New Zealand’s capital. Christie made 27 appearances in three seasons for the Phoenix under All Whites coach Ricki Herbert prior to joining the Rowdies before this season.

“I think the Wellington Phoenix has been massive,” Christie said. “The fact that they qualified for the finals and were one game away from the grand final this year, that alongside the All Whites qualifying for the World Cup really sent football into a different level in New Zealand.

Christie came on in the 77th minute in New Zealand’s 1-1 draw against Slovakia yesterday. New Zealand got a dramatic last-gasp equalizer in the 93rd minute.

The Aztex have faced Tampa Bay twice so far this year, both draws. Christie notched one of the Rowdies goals in the game in Tampa on May 8. The team will face Austin two more times this season: at home on Aug. 7, and in Tampa on Sep. 16.

It’s been a couple of days since the last Aztex home game, and it’s still June, so that means it must be time for: another Aztex home game! Austin will host the PDL’s DFW Tornados at 7:30 tonight, Tue. Jun. 15, at House Park.

This game will be Austin’s first in the the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Open Cup is an annual tournament, dating from 1914, that’s open to teams from all levels of men’s soccer in the U.S. The Tornados qualified by having the best record in their PDL division (the same division the Aztex U23s have played in in previous years) over the first four games of the season.

The Open Cup is a knockout tournament from the opening game, so if the Aztex win, they’ll advance to the next round. That second round has already been drawn, so we know that a win will see yet another game at House Park, next Tuesday, Jun. 22, against the winner of tonight’s match between the Ventura County Fusion (PDL) and the Arizona Sahuaros (NPSL). If the Tornados win, they would also face the winner of that match (at that winner’s home field).

DFW come to Austin in the midst of a pretty tough schedule themselves, their third road game in five days. They lost 3-0 to the El Paso Patriots last Friday, then got a 3-2 win over the West Texas United Sockers on Sunday.

Other pre-match coverage:

• Aztex face DFW in U.S. Open Cup — Austin American-Statesman
  Match Forecast
  

  Temp:	upper 80s
  Rain:	10%
  Wind:	10mph
  Sunset:	8:34

  
  as of 7:00 AM, 6/15/09

  The match will see the return of former Aztex forward Gifton Noel-Williams, the ex-star for England’s Watford and Stoke City who became a fan favorite in Austin’s inaugural season last year. Noel-Williams was the only player on Austin’s roster with significant first-team European experience , but a hamstring injury forced him to miss half the season.

  “It wasn’t a good year because of that hamstring,” Heath said of Noel-Williams. “To be fair to Gifton, our team (overall) last year was nowhere near as good as this (year). So it’ll be good to see him.”

• Aztex Begin Open Cup Play Against the DFW Tornados — AustinAztex.com
  

  Last season the Aztex made it to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. Austin beat Mississippi 2-0 at Nelson Field in the first round and followed that victory with another 2-0 result against El Paso in the second round. The Aztex finally faltered in the third round, losing 2-0 to Houston.

If we see Noel-Williams tonight, it will be because he’s come straight from Dallas to Austin, as he isn’t listed on the Tornados’ roster for either of last weekend’s games in El Paso or West Texas.

Note that Aztex season and “flex” tickets are not valid for this game, as it’s not a regular-season league game. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for youth (children 5 and under are always free).

As usual, supporters will start gathering at The Tavern about two hours before the 7:30 kickoff. See you there!

It was bound to happen sooner or later: the Aztex gave up all 3 points at last night’s game. The 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps is just Austin’s second of the season. Both defeats have been suffered at home.

Despite failing to gain any points, the Aztex remain 5 points clear at the top of of the league standings.

The crowd was on the small side (2,841), and it seemed that many in the Chantico’s Army supporters’ section were running on fumes after the big U.S.-England match earlier in the day. It didn’t help that the Brazilian samba group, usually the source of nice, loud rhythm throughout the match, were unable to attend.

On the field, Austin pressed hard from the opening whistle, and had enough dangerous looks to make it feel as though a victory were inevitable. They went into halftime leading 1-0 after Lawrence Olum finally stole a goal in stoppage time.

But it was a tale of two halves, and the second half saw Vancouver pressing harder and faster, and the Aztex on their back heel. Perhaps the absence of coach Adrian Heath, serving the second of the two-game ban he earned from the Puerto Rico match, was being keenly felt.

Here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage:

• box score — USSF

• Aztex fall to Vancouver — Austin American-Statesman
  

  After going up a goal in the first half, Austin fell asleep on a Vancouver corner kick in the 68th minute, leaving Marcus Haber enough space in the box to head home the equalizing goal. In the game’s closing moments, Austin gave up the tie when Haber and Nizar Khalfan teamed up on a counter attack that the Aztex struggled to close down on. Khalfan, near the top of the box, had enough space around him to send in the game-winner.

  “The first goal he was just unmarked on the header,” Aztex defender Kevin Sakuda said. “The second one was just the transition game. We lost our shape.”

• Whitecaps Halt Aztex Unbeaten Streak — AustinAztex.com
  

  However, the Aztex would be the ones to strike first. In stoppage time, Max Griffin was able to wrestle the ball away at the top of Whitecaps goal box. As he begun heading toward the goal, he was tripped up and lost possession of the ball. Teammate Lawrence Olum took over from there.

• Whitecaps Come Back To Defeat Aztex — Nuke Soccer
  

  In many ways, the turning point of the contest came on 67 minutes, as Khalfan came on for Philippe Davies in what was the winger’s first appearance for the club since his 90-minute performance for his native Tanzania in last Monday’s international friendly versus Brazil.

  On 68 minutes, the Whitecaps pulled themselves level with a fine headed goal by Haber. The Vancouver native – who just had his loan extended to cover next week’s away match versus Puerto Rico Islanders – connected with Nash’s corner at the near post to make it 1-1 for his first goal in USSF D-2 and the second of his loan spell. Nash’s assist on the equalizer, meanwhile, took him to 99 points on the Whitecaps career leader list.

• Video: Austin Aztex vs Vancouver Whitecaps Highlights (0:53) — AztexSoccer on YouTube

Now, take a breath and rest up; we have two more Aztex home games this next week. On Tuesday at 7:30 the Red & White will start their 2010 U.S. Open Cup campaign against the PDL’s DFW Tornados, and next Saturday we’ll see Miami FC at House Park. And, oh yeah, 18 World Cup matches to follow in that same period!

Portland Timbers: MLS Timbers introduce new crest

The team will keep its historic name – the Timbers – as it makes its ascent to MLS in 2011; the new primary mark embodies this monumental move to top-flight professional soccer, while prominently carrying forward elements of the team’s considerable history and paying tribute to the heritage and traditions that led to Portland becoming “Soccer City USA.”

The Whitecaps announced their logo just before Austin played Portland, and now Portland unveil theirs just before we play Vancouver. I like this one all right, too. It’s updated, but keeps the essence of their current crest.

I told you the games are coming thick and fast. And here we are again: Austin will host the Vancouver Whitecaps tonight at 7:30 at House Park.

Vancouver (4-2-4) is in first place in the NASL Conference, although they’d be third in the league standings overall. They are also on a busy schedule: while the Aztex were slugging out the 0-0 draw with Portland on Wednesday, the Whitecaps were battling the Carolina Railhawks to a 1-1 draw in Vancouver (match report/box score).

Vancouver is busy preparing for their debut in MLS next year. They’ll have a new logo, a new kit and sponsor and a new home stadium. Come out and see the 2010 Whitecaps, and see if you can pick which players will move up to the majors.

As you’re no doubt aware, there’s another soccer game of rather some interest today: U.S. vs England in their first World Cup matchup since 1950 (which, you’re no doubt also aware, the U.S. won). Today’s epic contest kicks off at 1:30 CT (you can watch it with the Aztex at Cuatro’s, or with the American Outlaws at Mister Tramps, or at any of a thousand places around town, really).

The pregame for the Aztex vs Whitecaps game, meanwhile, would usually start 2 hours before kickoff, at 5:30 at The Tavern. I’m sure people will be there, but I’m not sure if they’ll be there earlier than usual (straight from U.S.-England), or later (tired & hungover from U.S.-England).

Will it be the Aztex owners, coach and English fans with joyful smiles this evening? Or will it be us U.S. fans who are the jubilant ones? Maybe there will be a diplomatic détente, and both sides can have equal happiness (or lack thereof)?

No matter what the outcome, we can all agree on one key point: Vancouver’s country didn’t even go to South Africa.

After you’ve come out to support your country, be that Mexico yesterday, or the U.S., England or Nigeria today, then come out to support your boys in Red & White. All games at House Park are in stunning 3-D!

Austin Chronicle: World Cup Watch

This has to be the most comprehensive list of where you can watch the games around Austin. The schedule runs through next Thursday (i.e., when the next Chronicle comes out). From Alamo Drafthouse to Weirdo’s, it’s impressive evidence of the mainstream adoption of soccer that I wrote about yesterday.

Read it all.

Check out that picture. That’s a flyer that was left on the windshield of my car during Wednesday night’s Aztex-Timbers game. The significance, if you’ll allow me: scant months after my fellow Aztex fans and I wondered whether there were any bars other than Cuatro’s where we wouldn’t be treated like second-class citizens, here is this (baseball-named!) chain of sports bars actually spamming me with paper flyers about how soccer-friendly they are.

That, my friends, is the World Cup for you.

It can’t help but make me think of the question that comes up so often in American soccer. It comes in different forms, but it boils down to: will soccer “make it” in the U.S., and if so, when? I like how Steve Davis put it in this post last summer, Stupid questions about soccer:

This business of “Has soccer arrived?” and “What’s it gonna take … ” they represent the laziest of cliched, journalist default questions. Seriously, what do those questions mean?

I mean, has Thai food “arrived?” Has yoga “arrived?” Has Gabriel Garcia Marquez “arrived?”

See what I mean? It’s a silly question. Things are what they are.

Soccer? As a professional enterprise, it’s clearly not as popular in the United States in 2009 as football, baseball and basketball. It’s more popular than hockey (no matter what anybody wants you to believe.) As a participant sport, it’s widely accepted and unquestionably popular. And that’s it. Why does everyone always want to explore where soccer will go? What’s with the obsession over where soccer will land on the pop culture continuum?

From my perspective as a fan of a still-new team in a league that’s had some amount of turmoil since, well, forever, I can’t be quite that blithe about the question. To continue Davis’ Thai food analogy, I’m a big fan of this new Thai restaurant in town, and I want it to do well enough to stay in business. I want Thai food to have “arrived”, especially here in Austin, at least that much.

Now, back to the World Cup. I personally could hardly be more excited for it. I’ll be watching as many games as I can get away with without getting fired or divorced. And seeing soccer here, soccer there, soccer everywhere; having coworkers who usually couldn’t care less tell me to Google for “world cup” and look at the bottom of the page; all of that stuff, it just adds to the fun.

But at the same time, I’m sure there will be plenty of jokes at soccer’s expense, too. Like the Onion story about “the nation’s soccer fan” (note the singular, “fan”). I’m not saying that’s not funny; I love The Onion, and that is funny. But it’s based on the kind of tired old junk that U.S. soccer fans have put up with for years, so it also kind of touches a nerve. And there’s bound to be plenty more backlash where that came from, between now and July 11.

In anticipation of that negativity, here’s my resolution: I won’t care, and I won’t fight.

I love soccer. And for the next month, I’m going to unapologetically geek out on it, and have an absolute blast, and nothing anyone says will be able to put a dent in that. I’m not going to get into goofy defensive arguments, or lecture anyone about how the World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, blah blah blah. For the next 30 days, everyone’s going to have more than enough exposure to the game. Let them fall in love with it like I have — or not — on the game’s own merits. It has plenty of ‘em.

I’m sure my local Thai restaurant, er, soccer team (which thankfully seems to be doing good business this year already) will pick up some new fans this summer, which will be fantastic. But some people will try what’s on the menu and not care for it; others, who decided long ago that they hate it, won’t even taste it (but will keep on hating it). That’s okay, too. To each their own.

As for me, I’ll be pigging out.

The good news was that the storms held off last night at House Park, but the bad news was that the goals did, too. The meeting of the league’s top three leading scorers, Portland‘s Ryan Pore and Austin’s Eddie Johnson and Jamie Watson, wound up being a defensive grudge match. The 3,241 fans in attendance saw no goals, and only a handful of threatening shots. It was a hard-fought game, and it had intensity, but neither team did much more than hold the other at bay.

The biggest question on the mind of most of the fans I spoke to after the game was, what in the world was the deal with Timbers Ross Smith‘s shorts? Somehow he had the legs rolled up, or tucked up, or something. It almost looked like he was wearing a Speedo, except for the baggy backside. We had fun calling him Captain Underpants and chanting “he wears short shorts” (a la the old Nair commercials), but it was kind of disturbing, honestly.

Here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage:

• box score — USSF

• Aztex can’t find rhythm in scoreless draw — Austin American-Statesman
  

  [Assistant coach Bobby] Murphy took over sideline duties for the game from head coach Adrian Heath, who received a two-match stadium ban after getting ejected in Austin’s last game. Ejections usually result in one-game suspensions but Heath, who watched the rest of the game from the stands, was giving another for not leaving the stadium.

  Without Heath, Austin continued to struggle with Portland throughout the early minutes of the match, continuously sending players — including league-leading goal scorer Ryan Pore — in and out of Austin’s right side to create chances. Alex Nimo put up the most troubling shot in the 25th minute, when a long-distance blast needed a leaping fingertip save from Austin goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo.

• Aztex and Timbers Battle to Scoreless Draw — AustinAztex.com
  

  The Aztex started with a bang in the second half when Austin forward Maxwell Griffin was able to put pressure on a Timbers’ defender and took the ball away and got a shot off, which was then saved by Portland’s goalkeeper Steve Cronin. This was the first and only save Cronin was forced to make in the match.

  Much of the early portion of the first half was controlled by Portland. The Timbers were able to keep possession of the ball in their own half, but seemed slow getting forward thanks to some quality defending from the Aztex backline.

• Video: Aztex vs. Portland Timbers (0:33) — AztexSoccer on YouTube
  [You can get a glimpse of Mr. Short Shorts starting at about 0:21.]
  

The next game will be Saturday evening. Another home match, the Red & White will kick off against the Vancouver Whitecaps at 7:30.

Austin American-Statesman: How Aztex players view the World Cup

“I’m really hoping the U.S. gets out of their group,” Heath said. “It’s really important for football in this country. We need the U.S. to push on and make a mark on the world scene.”

Also includes favorites & predictions from Heath and seven Aztex players; read it all.

Still no visible change from last week; still not sure if there will be any more exterior changes before it’s done! But hey, when I started this goofy construction cam thing — way back on Jan. 27 — I resolved to take a picture every week until it’s finished. So here it is.

At this point, I think I’ll be as happy as the players themselves when it’s opened for use. Will that be at tonight’s game against Portland? Not that I’ve heard, but we shall see!

(Click to see the whole Flickr set.)

Time again for another soccer game! And if you think that was a fast turnaround from the Puerto Rico match last Saturday, you’d better hang on tight for the next month. Even if we just had Aztex soccer to look forward to, we’d be busy. But that other little soccer tournament in South Africa will be starting soon, too…

This midweek contest with the Portland Timbers may be a kind of last deep breath before the plunge for us fans, but these June games count just as much in the league standings as any others.

Though the Timbers were regular season champions last year (that is, they were in first place at the end of the season), they’ve gotten off to a rocky start in 2010. Their 3-3-3 record gives them 12 points from 9 games, and they’re winless since an April 29 victory over Vancouver at home. Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw to the Carolina Railhawks, also at home (match report/box score).

Portland, like the Vancouver Whitecaps (who we’ll see at House on Saturday), will move up from Divsion-2 to MLS next year. So they’ll be especially eager to start racking up some points, to build momentum heading into 2011.

The Aztex, of course, won’t be in any hurry to give up those points. They have a solid 5-point cushion over everyone else in the table (even accounting for teams that haven’t played as many games), but a home stand is the time to build up that padding even more.

The Aztex pregame piece says that although Eddie Johnson will be back, and Sullivan Silva is “probable”, we won’t see either defender Kieron Bernard or midfielder Lance Watson, who are both nursing their hamstrings.

As always, fans new and old are invited to gather at The Tavern before the game. With a 7:30PM kickoff, that gathering will start to happen around 5:30, possibly closer to 6:00, as people get off work. Alternative rock station 101X will be on hand once again, so you won’t want to miss the party! Go Aztex!

Vancouver Whitecaps FC: 2011 logo and ticket information

“Today was a historic moment for our club, our fans, and our city. I believe our fans and our players will take immense pride in wearing the logo we’ve unveiled here today – and that it will set the tone for the many great years to come,” stated Whitecaps FC chief executive officer Paul Barber. “Having now shared the basis of our club’s new identity, I know our fans will be even more anxious to show their pride and see it come to life in the stands and on the pitch – so I’m also pleased to share the news that we are offering fans the chance to secure their opportunity to be there when we kick off the 2011 season.”

The Whitecaps are one of several to make the jump from USL/Division-2 to MLS. They become a Major League club next year, along with the Portland Timbers (who will unveil their new logo next week). Both clubs hope to see the kind of astounding success that their regional rival Seattle Sounders have had since they became an MLS franchise last year. And on the other end of Canada, the Montreal Impact plan to also join MLS in 2012.

Meanwhile, back here in 2010, the Aztex will host the Division-2 version of the Vancouver Whitecaps here at House Park on Saturday at 7:30PM.