The Aztexan

Pro soccer returns to House Park on Saturday evening at 7:30, reclaiming AISD’s high school football venue for a few hours. Our Aztex will be hosting the NSC Minnesota Stars for their second and final matchup of the season (the first was a 2-1 Aztex win in Minnesota on May 1).

The Stars are coming off a bye week, not having played since Aug. 21. Their 7-11-7 record has them struggling to garner enough points to stay in playoff territory. Their last game, a 0-1 home loss to the Portland Timbers (match report/box score), was the second such result in a row for Minnesota, following 5 straight draws. They’ll bring their backup goalkeeper for Saturday’s match, leaving starter Joseph Warren home with the red card he picked up in the Portland game.

The Aztex will be missing a few players as well: Stephan Campbell, Jay Needham and Lawrence Olum are out with hamstring and groin injuries. Sullivan Silva and Joey Worthen will miss the game as well, after picking up injuries (knee and hamstring, respectively) this week in training.

The Rochester Rhinos, current league leaders by 2 points, have a bye themselves this week. That gives the Aztex the opportunity to reclaim the top spot with a win Saturday.

In addition to the customary pregame gathering at The Tavern (starting about 5:30, 2 hours before the 7:30 kickoff), there will be a tailgate party, sponsored in part by the Free Beer Movement, in recognition of Brazil’s Independence Day. Starting at 4:30 in the parking lot of the Thundercloud Subs across 12th Street from House Park, it will feature live music by the Brazilian group Manga Rosa.

Even the Aztex ticket office is getting in on the celebration. You can get tickets to the game for just $9 (regular $15) in honor of Brazilian Independence (note that you have to buy those in advance, prior to 2:00 PM on Saturday).

We’re coming down to the last few games now. This will be the next-to-last regular season home game; the last one will be Sat., Sep. 25 against AC St. Louis. And there will be at least one more home game after that, in early October, seeing as our Red & White have already punched their playoff ticket.

A good game, a chance to reclaim the top of the league, a great weather forecast and an open invitation to a tailgate party with live Brazilian music. What more could you ask for? See you there!