The Aztexan

photo: Montreal Impact/PEPE

Well, that’s not the first game result we wanted to see.

But it’s not the end yet, either. Remember, this Aztex team has one of the highest goal differentials in the league this season (13). The trick will be getting back to the groove they were in earlier in the year, when they were racking up all those goals. And they’ll have their chance to get that groove, Saturday night at House Park.

First, here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage from the first game, in Montreal:

• box score — USSF

  Attendance: 7,962

• Impact Repeat 2-0 Performance in Quarterfinal First Leg — AustinAztex.com
  

  Austin had few other chances in the latter part of the first half other than a volley by Johnson, but that was when Montreal really turned up the heat. The Impact came closest to getting on the board with a shot by Eduardo Sebrango that seemed destined for the back of the net, if not for a miraculous sprawling save by Gallardo to punch it wide. Gerba then sent the Impact into the half up by a goal.

• Montreal Defeats Austin, Carolina and NSC Minnesota Draw in Wednesday Night Playoff Action — NASL Fanatic
  

  “The effort from everyone was excellent today,” said coach Marc Dos Santos. “A 2-0 victory was a fair result in my opinion. They [Austin] put a little more pressure in the second half, but they were not able to create scoring chances against us. Defensively, we offered up another excellent performance. We now have to prepare for the next game and we must be willing to do whatever it takes to win the second leg. Nothing is won yet.”

Which brings us quickly, again, to the next Aztex match. The second leg of this playoff series will be played here in Austin, kicking off at House Park on Saturday evening at 7:30. Sure, ACL Fest is going on, but duck out for a couple of hours (you won’t miss anything, the band lineup is even lamer than usual this year). Pre-game festivities will begin, as always, at The Tavern around 5:30.

This is it! To keep from being eliminated, the Aztex will have to either win outright in regulation time by 3 goals, or at least win by 2 to force the contest to extra time, and then penalty kicks if necessary. Then they’ll go on to the semifinals, to face either the Carolina Railhawks or the NSC Minnesota Stars in the next round. They just need to find the back of the net 3 times first.

As mentioned above, this is a team that can get those goals. Three of the players on the league’s top 10 point leaders list play for Austin (Eddie Johnson, Maxwell Griffin and Jamie Watson). And we’ve seen goals from lots of other players besides them, as well.

These guys can do it on Saturday night. It will be an absolutely perfect night for live soccer in Austin. Come out and see it happen for yourself! Go Aztex!