The Aztexan

The Austin Aztex will return to House Park at 6:00 Sunday evening, playing the Carolina Railhawks for the first of just two matchups this season.

The Railhawks are currently in second place in the NASL conference, their 8-6-7 record giving them 31 points. They’ve been on a busy schedule the last couple weeks; Sunday’s match will be their fifth in 15 days. Most recently, they beat Miami FC (because, come on, who doesn’t beat Miami?) 2-1 on Wednesday (match report/box score).

Railhawks head coach Martin Rennie had this incisive tactical observation about the contest:

[Austin's] record is very good this season and they are high up in the league standings because of their good results.

Well. He seems to have it all figured out. One can only hope Austin can come up with something to outfox him.

I expect the Aztex to field a lineup closer to their usual starting eleven than they did in last week’s 2-0 loss in Puerto Rico. They’ll have to do without Jamie Watson, who is still out with the fractured collarbone he picked up on Aug. 7, but I’m sure Max Griffin and Yordany Alvarez will start.

The game kicks off at 6:00, so the pregame gathering at The Tavern will start around 4:00. With temperatures predicted to top 245 degrees (Celsius), hydration will be key for supporters who want to last the full 90. If you get to feeling too sorry for yourself in the heat, you can take comfort in one fact: at least you’re not the poor wretch who has to wear the Sgt. Pepper costume at this game^*.

Kidding aside, don’t forget that after Sunday, there will be just two more regular-season home games (9/4 and 9/25). School starts back in Austin next week, so this is the last weekend of the summer for families with school-age kids. What better way to spend an August Sunday in Texas than coming down to House and watching your Austin Aztex whip up on some Tar Heels?

Yo si le voy, le voy a los Aztex!

^* Apologies to the poor wretch who has to wear the Sgt. Pepper costume at this game, if he or she reads this blog. Actually, more than apologies: if the supporters find out who wears that costume on Sunday, I’m sure that person will drink free all night at Cuatro’s after the game.