Jamie Watson and the Austin Aztex vs. AC St. Louis, 7/17/10
photo: AustinAztex.com Photo Gallery

It was a hot one at House Park on Saturday night. And the same way that the thermometer doesn’t always reflect how hot it really feels, so too, a final scoreline doesn’t always tell the whole story, either. That was certainly the case at House Park this weekend.

The 3,702 fans in attendance found the Aztex pressing hard from the opening whistle, barely letting St. Louis have the ball. The shot stats give a better idea of the heat the Red & White were pouring on: they took 15 in the first half, vs. St. Louis’ 1. Though the visitors fought back with intensity in the second half, they were a man down by that point, and it was too little, too late.

Though it was a solid win, I can’t help but feel that Austin should have really crushed this one. Playing at home, having the clearly stronger offense, with the benefit of a 1-man advantage, St. Louis was lucky (or did well defensively, depending on how you look at it) to not get really clobbered in this game.

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

  • box score — USSF

  • Aztex Blank AC St. Louis; Further Stretch League Lead — AustinAztex.com

    Ten minutes later, Jamie Watson was able to deliver a ball to Lance Watson that put the midfielder in a favorable scoring position. In an effort to halt Lance’s scoring chance, Dufty took him down inside the six-yard box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Aztex.

    Eddie Johnson stepped up to take the kick for the Aztex and attempted to place it to the Dufty’s left. With a quick reaction, Dufty was able to push the ball away from goal, denying Johnson his 10th tally this season.

  • Austin Aztex beat St. Louis — Austin American-Statesman

    Austin earned redemption in the 34th when a Yordany Alvarez free kick floated toward a contested Jay Needham in the box. In the middle of the scrum Needham’s header deflected off St. Louis’ Jeff Cosgriff, who was given a red card for a handball, setting up another penalty kick. This time Jamie Watson stepped up to take the penalty and sent the shot into the lower right for the goal.

  • AC St. Louis Lose 2-0 at Austin — The AC St. Louis Fanatic

    AC St. Louis in the second half had the daunting task of trying to win being a man down against the best offense in USSF D2 on the road. Coach Dale Schilly made liberal use of his substitutes, as Ryan Moore, John Lesko, Elvir Kafedzic and Alex Titton came in — Brad Stisser came in during the first half when Chris Salvaggione took a hard knock and was stretchered off the field. And although AC St. Louis made a game effort, the Aztex were able to double the lead in the 69th minute on a Maxwell Griffin goal. Being a man down in the 90-plus degree Texas heat was too tall of an order for the Saints to overcome, although they did force Aztex goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo into making some good saves on some hard, long-range shots.

  • Photos (20): Aztex vs. AC St. Louis, 7-17 — AustinAztex.com Photo Gallery

  • Video: Aztex extend unbeaten streak blanking St. Louis 2-0 (1:35) — News 8 Austin

  • Video: Aztex 2, AC St. Louis 0 – Highlights (1:13) — AztexSoccer on YouTube

    Don’t miss the unbelievable defensive save St. Louis’s Jack Traynor makes of a lovely little chip from Eddie Johnson; see it from 0:18 to 0:28.

The Aztex won’t play again for two weeks, when they host Miami FC again on Saturday, July 31. I understand the players will be given some days off, and have a chance to really relax, visit family, etc. Congratulations to the team on a great season so far, enjoy a well-earned rest and good bragging rights with friends and family, and see you all back dominating the league in a couple of weeks!