The Aztexan

The Aztex head into the 2nd half of their roadtrip to the Carolinas against the Carolina Railhawks in Cary, NC on Saturday, August 1.

The Railhawks are currently sitting in 4th place, their 10-5-3 record giving them 33 points, more than twice what the Aztex have earned. Most recently, Carolina is coming off a 4-0 pounding of Miami FC (match report / box score). New signing Gregory Richardson led the scoring, getting a hat trick in just his 2nd outing for the Railhawks.

The Aztex, of course, are fresh off a 1-0 loss to the Charleston Battery on Thursday night. This will be their first-ever appearance at Carolina's WakeMed Soccer Park. The Red & White have faced the Railhawks twice in Austin, getting a 0-1 loss on May 24th and a 1-1 draw on June 19th. Hey, a win Saturday night will give them a nice 1-1-1 set against this opponent!

Kickoff will be at 6:00 CT. Watch for free on USLLive.com, or join the Chantico's Army supporters at Cuatros, our usual away-game viewing spot. Go Aztex!

Labels: gameday, USL-1

Another less than inspired game, another loss for the Aztex. At least they didn't lose any points off this game (that we've heard of yet, anyway). This loss gives the Aztex a road record of 1-6-1.

Some post-match coverage:

• box score — USLSoccer.com


• Battery blank Aztex, 1-0 — Charleston Post and Courier
  

  Scott Buete scored a goal and Dusty Hudock recorded his league-leading 12th shutout of the season as the Charleston Battery blanked the Austin Aztex, 1-0, Thursday night before 2,576 at Blackbaud Stadium.
  
  With the victory, the Battery improved to 10-3-8 (38 points) and took sole possession of first place in the USL First Division. The Aztex dropped to 3-10-7 (16 points).

• Aztex fall 1-0 on road to Charleston — AustinAztex.com
  

  Eventually, the Aztex began to create chances of its own due to some well-placed fouls that gave Austin two set pieces just outside of the box. In the 63rd minute, Jean Alexandre played the free kick off for Gareth Evans, but an aggressive Charleston defense quickly collapsed on Evans’ ball before it made its way over the wall.

Labels: postgame, USL-1

The Aztex head to the Carolinas this week for 2 games in 3 days. They'll play the Carolina Railhawks on Saturday, but first up is the Charleston Battery on Thursday, July 30, at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, SC.

Charleston is making a strong run so far this season. Their 9-3-8 record puts them in a 3-way tie for 1st place, though they've played 20 games to Portland's 18 and Puerto Rico's 22. The Battery are coming off a 2-1 win over the Railhawks last Friday (match report / box score).

The Aztex most recently let a win slip through their fingers last Saturday against the Montreal Impact. The single point the Aztex got from that draw was cold consolation after being up 2-0 in the 70th minute.

But with news from the team tonight, we learn that the result from the Impact game is much worse than that:

Mike Callahan earned a yellow card in the previous week’s contest against Minnesota, pushing his season disciplinary record to five cautions. With that total, Callahan should have been suspended for Saturday’s game against Montreal. Instead, he played all 90 minutes.

As a result of the oversight, the Aztex will be docked the point earned in the 2-2 draw against Montreal and another point for the mistake. The club will be handed a $250 fine and Callahan will have to sit out Thursday’s match against Charleston.

Seems like somebody on the team might have noticed this ahead of time. Instead, Austin actually loses a point off the weekend.

I guess you could look at the Charleston match optimistically: there's no way they'll do worse than that.

Kickoff will be at 6:30 CT. You can watch the free video stream at USLLive.com at home, or in the company of Chantico's Army and other supporters at Cuatros on 24th. Come on, you Aztex!

Labels: gameday, USL-1

Here's an indication of how last night's result felt: when I first entered the title for this post, I typed "Aztex Fall To Montreal Impact", and only when I got to the score, 2-2, did I remember that it was a draw, not a loss.

Sure, we got a point. Sure, that's better than a loss. But having taken the lead — by two, mind you — and badly needing all 3 of those points, it didn't feel like anything to celebrate after the final whistle.

The You-Had-To-Be-There Moment of the Match: the short span, just 8 minutes long according to the stats, when the Aztex held a 2-0 lead. I knew 20 minutes can be a long time at the end of a match, but for those few minutes none of us doubted it could be done. After Montreal pulled one back, I started to worry. After they scored 3 more times, even though those were all nullified by offside calls, I knew we were doomed.

From that standpoint, I guess, I should be happier that it wasn't the 5-2 loss it could have been. But, you know, I'm really not.

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

• box score — USLSoccer.com
  

  Weather: Hot, partly cloudy

• Aztex again fumble away win in closing moments — Austin American-Statesman

  It might be growing more difficult to be an Aztex fan.
  
  For the second time in as many home games, Austin gave up a heartbreaking late goal, the latest allowing the Montreal Impact to steal a 2-2 draw in front of 2,786 stunned fans at Nelson Field.
  
  The draw came after the Aztex appeared to be cruising to a much-needed victory, holding a 2-0 lead. The loss stung in part because Austin is battling Montreal for the seventh and final playoff spot in the USL's First Division.

• Aztex surrender two-goal lead late, salvage 2-2 tie with Montreal — AustinAztex.com
  

  In the 89th minute a scramble in the box led to a crowd of players around Austin keeper Sam Reynolds before the ball made its way into the net to level the score. The goal was credited to Roberto Brown, capping off an offensive barrage from Montreal that yielded two official goals and three taken away by the referee.
  
  “We showed loads of inexperience after the two goals,” Heath said.
  
  In stoppage time, Ryan Caugherty almost erased the final minutes from memory when a Kyle Brown ball found him with space. Caugherty charged the goal and put the ball in the net, but the referee ruled he fouled [goalkeeper Srdjan] Djekanovic on his run. Caugherty wound up in the net himself and a scuffle broke out between both teams. In the end, the goal didn’t count, Caugherty earned a yellow card, and Austin, despite a second half that was entertaining on both sides, would walk away with only one point.

That leaves the Aztex keeping Minnesota and Cleveland company at the bottom of the standings. Austin is now 6 points down from the closest playoff spot, and the five teams above them all have at least one game in hand over them.

Next up for the Red & White is a trip to the Carolinas. First a Thursday night game against the 2nd-place Charleston Battery in Charleston, SC, followed by a Saturday night game against the 4th-place Carolina Railhawks in Cary, NC. They're going to have to figure out how to pick up some points soon, or the playoffs are going to quickly become an impossibility.

Labels: postgame, USL-1

The Aztex are back in Austin on Saturday night, July 25, to host the Montreal Impact.

The Impact are sitting mid-table, with a 6-8-3 record. They won their last match 4-1, a midweek home game rout of the Cleveland City Stars (match report / box score).

Montreal has also been making news lately for less flattering reasons. First was the player-on-player violence, which eventually led to Sandro "The Strangler" Grande being released from the team. (Who's ever going to pick that guy up, I'd like to know.) Then Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos was ejected from their game in Rochester last Wednesday, for accosting Rhinos player Tiger Fitzpatrick.

The Aztex, meanwhile, continue to struggle. Having lost the last 3, most recently a 1-0 defeat at the Minnesota Thunder last weekend, their 3-9-6 record puts them near the bottom of the standings. But hopefully the players, recently returning from injury or being brought in for longer loans than we saw earlier in the season, will be fit, well-rested and ready to fire on all cylinders.

Saturday's game will be "Health and Wellness Night", with several area organizations participating. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate, and get in for just $15.

Kickoff will be at 7:30, so Chantico's Army's prematch supporters gathering will begin about 5:00 at Nomad Bar.

There will be just 3 more home games after this one, so you won't want to miss it. See you at the game, and GO AZTEX!

Labels: gameday, USL-1

I couldn't make it to yesterday's Copa Aztex exhibition between UANL Tigres and Cruz Azul, instead I was at home watching the Aztex in Minnesota on USLLive.com.

It was a disappointing game. Not just for the loss Austin ultimately suffered, but for the quality of play, which was pretty poor for most of the match. A spectator not familiar with the 2009 USL-1 table would have been unsurprised to learn that both these teams are at the bottom.

Bright spots: brand new addition Kevin Sakuda did okay, Gifton Noel-Williams got in a full 90 minutes, and Kieron Bernard had a strong game on the back line. However, I think the two biggest remaining issues for Austin are: (1) defense and (2) offense.

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

• box score — USLSoccer.com


• Aztex suffer shutout defeat against Thunder — AustinAztex.com
  

  Austin responded to the second-half blitz, finally finding a bit of offensive rhythm itself. A low cross in the 59th minute found Gifton Noel-Williams, who started his first game since going down with a hamstring injury, but his shot deflected off the keeper’s face and out of play, counting for a save even if it was incidental.

The Aztex will be back in Austin next Saturday, July 25, hosting the Montreal Impact at Nelson Field.

Labels: postgame, USL-1

The Aztex USL-1 squad is on the road this weekend, taking the game to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Thunder.

The Aztex faced the Thunder here at home in the very first game of the season. That game resulted in a 1-1 draw, the first of many the Red & White have gotten this season. Minnesota's 11 points (a 2-8-5 record) makes them one of only 2 teams below the Aztex in the league standings, though they do have two games in hand over Austin.

The Thunder are coming off a 3-0 upset over the Montreal Impact (match report / box score). Though given some of Montreal's craziness lately, from Impact players choking each other during that game to the head coach getting ejected the following week in Rochester, perhaps beating them doesn't prove all that much.

Austin's roster will be bolstered by another new face this week: defender Kevin Sakuda. As opposed to some of the shorter-term loaners we've seen in Aztex kit, Sakuda's contract extends to the end of the season. Per the team website:

Austin scouted Sakuda in the preseason after he was released from Seattle when the team transitioned to the MLS. Sakuda slipped through and decided to sign with Montreal.

...“From my point of view, he’s a perfect fit for us,” Heath said. “He can play defense, he can play in midfield . . . and he’s experienced at this level.”

There is also a short Q&A with Sakuda on the team site.

It is a younger group here, obviously a first-year team. This’ll be my seventh year in the league so I think I can bring a bit of experience. I was part of some successful teams in Seattle. So, I think I’ve been through it. Hopefully I can add [to the team] in whatever way.

In other roster news, goalkeeper Nick Noble is coming in on a short-term contract (till Aug. 10), and MLS loaners Erik Ustruck (Houston Dynamo) and Yohance Marshall (LA Galaxy) have returned to their teams.

The pressure on the Aztex to get this expansion season turned around continues to build. Striker & captain Noel-Williams made his return last week, and Sakuda should help to shore up the young, mistake-prone Austin defense. Though they're on the road, Minnesota is arguably the weakest team in the league so far this season. Let's hope Austin comes out strong and starts to show that they can be contenders.

The game kicks off tonight at 7:05 CT, and will be broadcast for free on USLLive.com (the video production quality of Thunder home games is usually a cut above average). If you're at Copa Aztex watching Tigres vs Cruz Azul tonight, you can watch the archived video there, too.

After this game, the Aztex will be back in town next Saturday, July 25, to host the Montreal Impact.

Labels: gameday, players, USL-1

Hailed as the biggest professional soccer game in Austin history, the State Farm Copa Aztex is this Saturday, July 18. The match will be an exhibition game between two storied Mexican teams gearing up to start their season: Cruz Azul and UANL Tigres.

The Chronicle has more on the game and why it's a big deal:

It’s the final preseason tune-up for the clubs, who open the 2009 Apertura season next week. Tickets are $30 and $50. Doors open at 4pm, with a pregame concert by Espinoza Paz.

This could be a huge deal for soccer in Austin, not just because of the game itself but because it’s the first time UT has teamed with an outside entity to use its gorgeous Myers Stadium. (Another first for both the Aztex and Myers: “adult beverages” at the pregame beer garden!) This event is the beginning of a three-year agreement between UT and the Aztex.

If you're not into Espinoza Paz, a group of Aztex supporters will also be gathering at Scholtz's Beer Garden on San Jacinto before the game, at about 6:00.

One interesting aspect of this game for fans of the U.S. men's national team is the presence of Edgar Castillo, currently on loan from Club América to Tigres. U.S.-born Castillo has previously been called up to the Mexican national team, but has no international caps. Though previously stating he didn't want to play for the U.S., he has been singing a different tune more recently. Whether you're a fan of the Nats or El Tri, you have a chance to scout him for yourself Saturday night.

Tickets for this huge soccer event are available at Texas Box Office.

Labels: exhibition, internacional, UT

I didn't plan to ignore the Aztex U23s this season. It just worked out that way. With a few of their home games played outside of Austin (Waco, Bastrop, etc.), and with lots of USL-1 games to write about and attend, and the next thing you know, the season is almost over.

I only ever made it to one match at Dragon Stadium this year. I meant to write about that game, but never got around to that, either. Here's the short version: the crowd was smaller, the atmosphere was more subdued, but the soccer on the field was good. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

It's not too late for you to check out the Aztex U23s for yourself. Their last regular-season game is here in Austin this Friday, July 17, against the El Paso Patriots. Kickoff is at 7:30.

But note: this game will be held at the Round Rock ISD Athletic Complex, not Dragon Stadium. The Athletic Complex, commonly referred to in RRISD as The Palace, is on Parmer Lane, just north of State Highway 45 (Google map).

The race for the top of the Mid South Division is a close one, and the Aztex U23s have a shot to win it. They are currently in 2nd place in the division. The field is so tight that none of the 3 playoff berths have been clinched, even though this is the last weekend of play.

The USL-1 team will be on the road playing the Minnesota Thunder this weekend. That game is on Saturday night at 7:05 CT, you can catch it free on USLLive.com if you're not in Minnesota.

Of course, you may be at the big Copa Aztex match between Cruz Azul and Tigres on Saturday night instead (more about that in a later post).

Labels: gameday, U-23

Another game, another heartbreak for Austin soccer fans. This one was extra cruel, thrilling us the only way a stoppage-time goal by the home team can, only to turn around a moment later and crush us, the only way a stoppage-time goal by the opposing team can.

Once again, officiating was pretty poor. In one case, Austin was right in the middle of a promising attack, with Noel-Williams just dribbling into the box, when the ref called a foul — for the Aztex. There was also controversy about an uncalled foul by Portland immediately before their winning goal. And there was the 2nd half stoppage time itself, which went on for a good 6 or 7 minutes, despite being called for 4.

The You-Had-To-Be-There Moment of the Match: Austin's 93rd minute equalizing goal. Though the feeling didn't last long, for that moment, it was fantastic. I especially relished the prospect that Portland would let another win slip away at the last minute, like they did in Minnesota last Saturday. But it was not to be.

One strange aspect of the game not mentioned elsewhere: the sudden onset of high winds shortly after the hour mark. The wind up to that point had been barely enough to raise our flags. But suddenly it was blowing so hard, it was hard to hold on to them. This affected play for both teams, of course, as long balls became significantly longer or shorter, depending on the direction.

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

• box score — USLSoccer.com
  

  Weather: Hot, partly cloudy

• Aztex lose to Portland 2-1 — Austin American-Statesman
  

  The Aztex worked their way back into the game as Portland's players tried to adapt to the searing conditions on the field, some even throwing water on their shoes to try to cool their burning feet.
  
  About midway through the second half, Heath re-introduced Noel-Williams, setting the stage for the striker's brief equalizer.
  
  "I don't think we deserved to get beat tonight," Heath said. "I can rant and rave and shout, but unfortunately we keep making similar mistakes. I'm too angry at this time to say the things I need to say."

• Aztex surrender stoppage-time goal, fall 2-1 to Portland — AustinAztex.com
  

  “They’re better than their representation on the table says,” Portland head coach Gavin Wilkinson said. “Sometimes you need a bit of luck and they’re not getting it right now. ... It’s the way the game goes.”

Next weekend, Austin will head north to play the Minnesota Thunder on the 18th. The Thunder are just below Austin in the standings, with a 2-8-5 record.

Here in Austin, the 18th will see Mexico's Tigres vs Cruz Azul, in the first annual Copa Aztex.

The Aztex will be back home to host the Montreal Impact the following Saturday, July 25th.

Labels: postgame, USL-1

Following a luxurious 5 day rest, the Aztex take the home field again Saturday night, July 11, at 7:30. Even this late in the season, we're still seeing firsts for our Aztex: Saturday's game will be the first-ever matchup with the Portland Timbers.

The Timbers have had a strong season so far. Their 7-1-6 record puts them in the 3rd spot on the table. They're only a few points back from the top, and they have several games in hand over both teams ahead of them, Charleston & Puerto Rico.

Portland will be looking for a strong showing in this road game, after letting a win over the Thunder slip into a 1-1 draw at the last minute last Saturday in Minnesota (match report / box score).

As this preview on The Offside's Portland blog points out, the last time the Timbers came to Texas was to play the El Paso Patriots in 2003. The following year the A-League became USL-1, and El Paso dropped to the PDL.

Turning from history to the future, the Timbers are still trying to work out the stadium deal that's required before their planned move to MLS in 2011. A new $31 million deal was proposed to the Portland City Council just today.

This Saturday, the Aztex are also looking for a strong showing, of course. After taking another hit to their goal differential in the 4-1 loss to the Rochester Rhinos in New York last Sunday, they'll be looking to redeem themselves:

While the Aztex have played considerably better at home, so much shifting in the back line has made it a challenge... MLS players have come in and out of the back line all season in order to battle injuries – and costly mistakes. Three of Sunday’s goals came off botched clearances, a recurring issue for Austin.

“Individual errors are costing us very dearly,” Heath said. “I look at our goals [allowed] and if I thought the opposition was cutting us open because the system was so poor, then I’d be very concerned. But at times it’s isolated incidents where defenders are making stupid errors really.”

We may see some new (and returning) players in red & white this week:

After missing 11 games and doing more sitting than training, Gifton Noel-Williams finally practiced for a full session Wednesday.

Ever since his hamstring injury in April, Austin’s team captain has been limited to the sideline. Noel-Williams made a brief 18-minute appearance against Rochester on June 21, but quickly reinjured himself and found himself back on the bench... Noel-Williams said he should be fit enough to play Saturday against Portland, even if it comes as a sub.

... Antonio Barrera of the PDL’s El Paso Patriots trained with the Aztex Wednesday. Originally brought in to train with the Aztex U23s, the midfielder has been given an amateur agreement in order to give the coaches a chance to see him in action.

“He did really well against us when we played in the [U.S.] Open Cup,” Heath said.”He’ll train with us and we’ll see how he fits in.”

Both Austin and Portland were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup in the 3rd round (Portland knocked out by arch rivals Seattle Sounders, Austin beat by the Houston Dynamo), so they will turn their full focus to league play. You can bet that both teams will give their all to bag these 3 points.

A special Family Four Pack deal is available for this game: $40 gets you 4 tickets, 4 sodas and 4 tacos. Kickoff will be at 7:30 PM, so the pre-match supporters' gathering at Nomad Bar will start around 5:00. This should be a great game; see you there!

Labels: gameday, USL-1

Though the Rochester Raging Rhinos dropped the "Raging" from their name last season, it would have suited their performance against the Aztex on Sunday afternoon. Or maybe Austin should have been the ones to have an adjective inserted into their name: Austin Accommodating Aztex? Allowing? Acquiescent?

I'll stop there. And like a good fan, I'll forget about that game and turn to look to the future, and wait for the big winning streak that I'm sure is coming up next.

After all, that game ended an extremely busy month — 12 games in 31 days, or an average of barely 2.5 days between matches — for a team with an already thin roster. And with the win in Cleveland, they did get 3 points on the road this weekend. So although they'll continue to be on the road a good bit, here's hoping that with some rest and some luck, this season can still be turned around.

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

• box score — USLSoccer.com
  
  Interesting, that attendance figure is 6,892, but I'm sure I heard the USLLive announcer say 8,692. I guess one of us got it backwards.


• Rhinos roll to win over Aztex — Austin American-Statesman
  

  The win improved the Rhinos' mark in USL-1 play to 7-5-2 (23 points), while Austin dropped to 3-7-6 (15 points).
  
  The Rhinos took a 1-0 lead six minutes into the second half when Johnny Menyongar scored his fifth goal of the season.

• Aztex sluggish in 4-1 loss at Rochester — AustinAztex.com
  

  When Eddie Johnson’s penalty kick landed quietly in the clutches of Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Tim Melia in the 56th minute, the scoreboard may have shown more than 30 minutes remaining, for all intents and purposes the game was effectively over.
  
  Already trailing 1-0 early in the second half, when Johnson’s attempt failed, you could sense the wind come out of the sails of an Aztex team that has struggled on the road all season. The Aztex defense, which has given up a league-worst 27 goals (tied with Cleveland) all year and looked a step slower throughout the match, then proceeded to allow three goals in a span of 20 minutes. It all added up to a 4-1 defeat, and the third time this season the Aztex defense has surrendered four goals in a game.

Next up is home game this Saturday, July 11, against the Portland Timbers. I hope the Red & White earn some more flattering adjectives at that one.

Labels: postgame, USL-1

Friday night at Middlefield Cheese Stadium saw a pretty even game between the Aztex and the Cleveland City Stars. I was terrified through the last 15 minutes that Cleveland was going to steal a draw again, like they did last weekend. But Austin held on, and got their first win on the road.

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

• box score — USLSoccer.com


• Aztex defeat Cleveland 1-0 on the road — Austin American-Statesman
  

  In the 30th minute, Jeff Harwell sent in a corner kick from the right side. A Cleveland defender tried to clear the ball, but it went straight to Silva.
  
  He collected the ball and launched a shot that skipped several times across the turf.
  
  Cleveland goalkeeper Evan Bush, who had made a great save on an earlier shot by Silva, never touched this one, and the Aztex led 1-0.

• Aztex earns first road victory, 1-0 win in Cleveland — AustinAztex.com
  

  Six days after giving up a stoppage-time goal and settling for one point in a 2-2 draw against the Cleveland City Stars (2-10-4, 10 points), the Austin Aztex (3-6-6, 15 points) scored early, and managed to fend off a furious second-half attack from Cleveland to win 1-0 and earn the team its first road win of the season.

Next up is the 2nd game of this weekend's roadtrip: the Rochester Rhinos on July 5 (today) at 2:00 PM CT (see Friday's 2-for-1 pregame post for more on that game).

Then the Red & White will be back in town next Saturday, July 11, for their first-ever match against one of the best teams in USL-1 so far this season, the Portland Timbers.

Labels: postgame, USL-1

While most of us get three days off this Independence Day weekend, the Aztex only have the 4th itself off, with road games on Friday & Sunday.

On Friday, July 3 (that's tonight), they visit the Cleveland City Stars, in a rematch of last weekend's game there. Hopefully Austin will finish the City Stars off this time, and not let them steal a draw at the last minute. Both teams will be fighting for the points, trying to get into the playoff picture:

Despite occupying the ninth and 10th positions in the league table, Austin and Cleveland are within striking distance of the seventh place playoff position due the league’s parity. The expansion Aztex currently sit four points back with a record of 2-6-6 on the year and Cleveland is six back at 2-9-4.

This game, at Cleveland's Middlefield Cheese Stadium, will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel. Everyone's invited to join fans and supporters at Cuatros on 24th, where the match will be shown on the giant Cuatron screen. Kickoff is 7:00 PM CT.

The second game of the weekend is on the afternoon of Sunday, July 5, facing the Rochester Rhinos at Marina Auto Stadium in New York.

The Rhinos are currently on a 4-game winning streak that includes the 2-0 defeat of the Aztex here in Austin two weeks ago. In their most recent league play, they got a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Thunder, at Minnesota (match report / box score). They also eliminated MLS' Columbus Crew from the U.S. Open Cup this week, squeaking by on penalty kicks.

Kickoff for the match in Rochester is 2:00 PM CT. Like all USL-1 matches (except those broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel), you can watch it live, for free, on USLLive.com.

As we approach the middle of the season, and with the majority of Austin's remaining games on the road, the Red & White are going to need to figure out how to win some games. Aside from PDL opponents in the Open Cup, the Aztex are on a winless run that goes back to the end of May (a 3-1 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders).

Though they're on the road more, their July schedule is much less grueling than June's was. With no more Open Cup matches, they have "only" 6 games in July, counting the Houston game on the 1st. Hopefully we'll see some players able to return to the pitch, some others get rested and raring to go, and some points racked up in the standings. Go Aztex!

Labels: gameday, USL-1

Well, it wasn't a blowout. It wasn't a romp. It wasn't a massacre. Though for a few minutes at the start, it looked like it might be a couple of those, the Aztex hung in there and fought the good fight. Scoreless at the end of the first half, it was easy to imagine overtime after another 45 minutes like that.

Unfortunately, the second half wasn't quite like that. Houston came out stronger and dominated more thoroughly. Most importantly, of course, they were able to do what Austin has not been able to do reliably for some time now: put the ball in the back of the net.

Some are still wondering about the way Jeff Harwell was brought down in the Houston box early in the game. An Aztex penalty kick at that point would have certainly affected the game. In related news: if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his ass a-hoppin'.

So ends the Aztex's 2009 U.S. Open Cup run. But getting to this round wasn't without its benefits. The game last night was very well attended, just a couple hundred shy of the 5,000 mark. A meaningful meeting with a major league team, even if it was just for the poor under-appreciated Open Cup, also brought more press attention than most games get.

The You-Had-To-Be-There Moment of the Match: just seeing all the Houston fans in attendance. I don't know if we have a bunch of closet Dynamo supporters in town, or if that many folks really drove 3 hours for a midweek game. Either way, it's impressive and heartening to see that level of fan support. Even if they are all attired in that ridiculous neon orange that Houston is saddled with.

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

• box score — USOpenCup.com
  


• Ashe douses Aztex's chances in Open Cup — Austin American-Statesman
  

  The ever-active Harwell then sprinted the length of the field to turn the ensuing Houston corner kick into a scoring chance at the other end, but his appeal for a penalty went unheeded after he went down in the Houston box following contact with the last defender.
  
  The remaining minutes of the first half followed a similar pattern, as Houston camped in the Austin half but couldn't score while the Aztex sat back and used Harwell's speed to counterattack.

• Ashe’s performance leads Dynamo to 2-0 win over Aztex — AustinAztex.com
  

  Houston’s best chance of the first half came late, when Mullan, who had made himself comfortable along the right side all half, fired in a cross that Danny Cruz headed just wide of the post. The half ended scoreless before Ashe came out and put away the game with his impressive second-half performance.
  
  “They’ve got Ashe, they had Kei Kamara [off the bench]; that shows their strength in depth,” Heath said. “They’re probably one of the best run clubs in the MLS. I’m disappointed with the result, but pleased with the performance.”

The Dynamo advance to the Open Cup quarterfinals, where they'll face the Charleston Battery, in Charleston on Tuesday, July 7. That's the same Cup matchup they've had for the last 2 years, and Houston has gone down to the USL-1 side both times. Here's hoping for a third!

No rest for the Red & White - they're back on the road for a rematch of last weekend's matchup with Cleveland City Stars. That game is Friday, July 3, at 7:00 PM CT. Watch it live on Fox Soccer Channel, at home or in the company of other fans at Cuatros on 24th.

Labels: MLS, postgame, U.S. Open Cup