The Aztexan

Here we are again, ready for the third Aztex home game in a week. With 2 draws from 2 games, Austin is still looking for their first regular season victory. But so are tonight's opponents, the Cleveland City Stars. This will be their second match of the season, as they come off a 1-3 loss to Miami FC last Saturday (match report / box score).

As I wrote earlier in the year, Cleveland is an expansion team in USL-1 this year. Though they won the USL-2 championship last year, the team has undergone extensive changes in their jump to the top league. You can read more about that in the 2009 USL-1 Preview.

Here's what the Aztex match preview has to say about tonight's match:

The trip to Austin is the second straight road match for the City Stars to open the 2009 season. Cleveland looks to bounce back after a season-opening 3-1 loss at Miami FC and hopes to benefit from the return of veteran keeper Hunter Gilstrap

Match Forecast

Temp:	upper 70s
Rain:	20%
Wind:	15mph
Sunset:	8:05

as of 8:00 AM, 4/25/09

, who missed last week’s opener because he hadn’t been cleared to play by his previous team, Martizburg United of the South African Premier League. Gilstrap has been a member of the City Stars since the team’s inaugural season in 2007 and spent a year in the USL-1 with Miami FC in 2006.

The City Stars will also have defender Austin Washington on loan from the MLS Chicago Fire for the match.

It should be a great night for soccer at Nelson Field tonight, with a very real chance that this will be the club's first win of the season. Also, there's a nearly two week break after tonight, until the Puerto Rico Islanders return on Friday, May 8, so you won't want to miss this one.

As usual, tonight's game kicks off is 7:30, but the supporters groups start earlier (5:00 at Nomad Bar, 7:00 entering stadium). See you there!

Labels: gameday, USL-1