The Aztexan

It was a good game last night, probably closer than it should have been. The Mississippi Brilla had some good players who showed some skill, and for some stretches the Aztex didn't seem fully engaged and let the ball slip away.

But they pulled it out with a solid win 2-0, and will advance to the second round. That game will be next Tuesday, June 16, here at home. The opponent will be the El Paso Patriots, PDL rivals of the U23s in the Mid South Division. (In fact, the U23s will play them in El Paso this Saturday.) The Patriots beat the Arizona Sahuaros of the USASA last night, 2-1, to advance out of the first round.

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

• Austin Aztex (USL-1) 2:0 Mississippi Brilla (PDL) — USOpenCup.com
  Includes lineups & stats


• Harwell hits opening goal as Aztex shut out Brilla — Austin American-Statesman
  

  Jeff Harwell scored a first-half goal and assisted on Eddie Johnson's second-half score as the Austin Aztex beat the Mississippi Brilla 2-0 on Tuesday night to win their first U.S. Open Cup game and advance to next week's second round.
  
  With the Aztex fielding a mostly back-up team as they navigate a congested part of their schedule, Harwell — a diminutive and dynamic winger who started the season on Austin's U-23 development side — has benefited more than most from the team's injury-plagued season. He is cementing his place on the professional team with strikes like Tuesday night's game-winner.

• Harwell leads Aztex to 2-0 victory in U.S. Open Cup first round — AustinAztex.com
  

  While Harwell impressed, Heath seemed even more pleased the Aztex were able to sit a bulk of its regular players. Backup goalkeeper Sam Reynolds took the net for Austin for his first action of the season. Reserves Wes Allen, Alex Tapp and Kyle Helton all started the game.
  
  “We needed the rest,” Heath said. “We’ve managed to get [a] game to those who needed it.”

Next up, the Aztex hit the road. They're headed to Puerto Rico to play the Islanders on Friday night (that game will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel), then to Florida to play Miami FC. We'll see them again in Austin next Tuesday for U.S. Open Cup round 2, against the El Paso Patriots. Welcome to schedule crunch time!

Labels: postgame, U.S. Open Cup, USL-1