The Aztexan

Hot on the heals of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Minnesota, the action at Nelson Field continues Tuesday night. The Aztex, still looking for their first league win, host reigning USL-1 champions Vancouver Whitecaps in a rare mid-week game.

The Whitecaps, themselves 2 games into the season, are also looking for their first win. They played to a 0-0 draw in their home opener with the Charleston Battery on April 11, and lost 2-1 to the Puerto Rico Islanders last Saturday.

Here's what the 2009 USL-1 Preview had to say about Vancouver:

The Vancouver Whitecaps not only finished 2nd place in 2008 league play with 53 points, only one behind table leading Puerto Rico, but went on to defeat all opponents in the playoffs, including the Islanders in an exciting 2-1 win at a packed Swangard Stadium — their second trophy in two years. However, in typical USL fashion, the 2009 roster will look very different.

Match Forecast

Temp:	upper 70s
Rain:	0%
Wind:	6mph
Sunset:	8:02

as of 6:00 AM, 4/21/09

Teitur Thordarson will again be at the helm for the Caps. However, the team has lost veterans Jeff Clarke, Steve Kindell, and Alfredo Valente. Also gone are team leading scorers Nicholas Addlery and Eduardo Sebrango. Charles Gbeke will be looked upon to pick up the slack. Veteran USL winger and forward Ansu Torre, a new signing for the team, could also be a solution to find goals if the player were to find his scoring touch. He had 6 for both Minnesota and Atlanta. Journeyman midfielder Martin Nash’s leadership will be called upon to sync the team on and off the field. With the recent acquisition of 27-year-old veteran MLS centerback Jeff Parke and the return of goalkeeper Jay Nolly, the backline should be solid.

The key to success will be making up for the loss of the Caps’ proven goal scorers.

Supporters will start, as usual, at the Nomad at 5:00, then head over to the stadium at 6:30. We'll march into Nelson in unison at 7:00, and invite anyone and everyone to join us. This being a midweek game, attendance is sure to be lighter than the Lonestar Soccer Club-packed crowd from Saturday. All the more reason for you to come, and bring 1 or 2 or 15 friends, and make the noise that will help put our boys over the top!

Labels: gameday, USL-1