The Aztexan

We knew it would be tough for the Aztex to get any points on this road trip. Their form this season has been especially poor on the road (their away record drops to 1-7-1 after this weekend), and these Carolina teams are a couple of the toughest in the league right now. Combined with back-to-back Thursday/Saturday matches, it shouldn't come as too big of a shock that Austin is coming home without gaining any points.

That doesn't make it easy to take, however.

I will say, despite this game's 3-0 scoreline being worse than Thursday's 1-0 loss to Charleston, that I thought the Red & White's performance was a little sharper, a little more threatening, and a little less lead-footed against the Railhawks. If they could just keep a starting lineup together and healthy for a few games in a row, maybe they could actually be dangerous. Though time is fast running out for that kind of turnaround to make a difference this season.

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

• box score — USLSoccer.com
  


• Aztex fall to Carolina — Austin American-Statesman
  

  Just before halftime, Gregory Richardson sent a cross to Joseph Kabwe, who headed it in for Carolina's first goal.
  
  In the 69th minute, Richardson set up the second goal with a counterattack that led to a free kick from 25 yards out. The ball bounced around in the box and caromed off Austin's Gareth Evans for a goal. Andriy Budnyy scored the final goal in the 85th minute.

• Aztex shut out 3-0 on road against Carolina — AustinAztex.com
  

  The Aztex (3-11-7, 14 points), who concluded a two-game road swing through the Carolinas including a 1-0 loss on Thursday at Charleston, struggled to solve a tough Carolina midfield and couldn’t contain the lightning-quick Richardson. It didn't help the Aztex that regulars Eddie Johnson and recently signed defender Kevin Sakuda were out of the starting lineup with a sore back and bruised foot, respectively.
  
  Austin’s best stretch of play came halfway through the second half, when the Aztex offense showed some aggression.

• Match Report :: Aztex 0, Carolina Railhawks 3 — Chantico's Army
  

  So at the end of the night, we found ourselves leaving the Carolinas without any points, any goals, and seemingly, still trying to find our personality. The lineups for each match continue to be changed based on player availability from injury, loans and the search for a combination that will work. It also saw Austin 11 points out of the 7th and final playoff position currently held by Miami FC. These are points that will be difficult to regain, as we have only 9 games (a possible 27 points) remaining in the season. The question the Aztex faithful are asking themselves is, "Can we turn the ship around in time?".

The Aztex will be on the road again next weekend, back to New York for their 3rd and final match against the Rochester Rhinos next Saturday, August 8. Austin has lost to the Rhinos in both previous meetings, a 2-0 shutout at home on June 21, and a 4-1 loss in Rochester on July 5.

Labels: postgame, USL-1