The Aztexan

The Aztex return to Austin to host AC St. Louis for their first match after the completion of the 2010 World Cup. Will we see some of those huge numbers of Cup final viewers? While Austin vs. St. Louis may not have quite the cachet of Spain vs. Netherlands, we’ve seen some exciting soccer at House Park, and I hope Saturday evening is no exception.

St. Louis continues to struggle through their inaugural season. Their 3-8-4 record gives them just 13 points from 15 games, putting them right at the bottom of the league table. The pregame story on the Aztex website calls them “streaking” over the last 6 games, but I think that’s a generous description of a 2-1-3 run.

Saturday’s game will be the second of a four-game road-trip for St. Louis. The first was just Wednesday night against the NSC Minnesota Stars. Though they got a point from the 2-2 draw, to St. Louis it must have felt like a loss: they were leading 2-0 until the 87th minute (match report/box score).

Austin will be looking to regain its offensive firepower in this game. Having averaged 2 goals per game for the first 14 games of the year, the Red & White haven’t scored at all in the last two matches. Perhaps the return of midfielder Lance Watson, just back last weekend after being absent since early June with hamstring trouble, will spark the Aztex offense.

Unfortunately, on the defensive end, stalwart Kieron Bernard is listed as questionable for Saturday with a groin injury.

The Aztex have teamed up with “Austin Pets Alive!” (APA), an organization working to stop the practice of killing stray cats and dogs in Austin. If you order your tickets from this fundraising page, the Aztex will donate 20% of your ticket price to APA.

Kickoff is the usual time: 7:30 PM. And the pre-match gathering at The Tavern is the usual time, as well: 5:30. And don’t forget the after-match spot, Cuatro’s, which is sure to be a victory celebration. Come on out and have a great Austin evening of live, pro soccer. Go Aztex!