The Aztexan

You guys are very nice. That was a close one, but thanks for letting FCD squeak by. You know, their confidence can really use a win right now.

I really appreciate how cooperative you've been, throughout the Open Cup. I'll put in a good word for you with the Aztex USL-1 team next year, and see if they'll take it easy on you.

Labels: MLS, U.S. Open Cup

Euro 2008 action day after day after day (minus a day or two). Semi-finals yesterday and today, and good games at that (i.e., they didn't sit at nil-nil for 90 minutes before anything happened). A fine-looking final on tap between Germany and Spain on Sunday.

FCD snatching a point out of their new coach chaos on the road from the orangemen in Houston tonight.

But the best is yet to come: three Aztex home games in three days. Another shot at El Paso (number 3 of 4 this season, for those counting), a first match against Baton Rouge, and of course the big Tigres game squeezed in on Sunday.

And don't look now, but there's 2 more Aztex home games on tap next week: Laredo on Thursday and Mississippi on Sunday.

If there's such a thing as too much soccer, I guess we'll find out in the next ten days. See you at the games!

Labels: gameday, MLS, U-23

I know this is a bit off-topic for an Aztex blog, but I'd just like to say that I think FC Dallas GM Michael Hitchcock made a big mistake sacking head coach Steve Morrow yesterday. Granted that FCD aren't exactly dominating, and I was as embarrassed as anyone over the 1-5 butt-kicking they got from the LA Galaxy last weekend. But I liked Morrow, and thought he was working on a long-range plan. Regardless, 18 months isn't a long enough time for a coach to turn things around, in my opinion.

Steve Hunt at ESPN Soccernet has a good summary in a piece titled "Morrow a victim of unrealistic expectations":

FC Dallas general manager Michael Hitchcock dismissed Morrow on Tuesday in a move that looks half-baked at best, wildly unfair at worst. It was either a complete panic job or just a bush-league maneuver by an organization sometimes all over the place in establishing direction and gaining self-awareness.

...The Denilson debacle -- considering expectations, promises and money spent versus deliverables -- was arguably the worst personnel blunder in league history.

...Everyone knows pro sports aren't always fair. The point is, the handling of these important matters says something about clubs, plans and directions. On that regard, FC Dallas looks like the confused comb-over dude, no prize in looks and salary, but dumbfounded because he can't land the supermodel girlfriend.

Best of luck to Coach Morrow, I hope he lands well and goes on to great success.

Labels: MLS

Coming to San Antonio, TX (actually 20 miles northeast in Cibolo), March 3rd - 9th, the first annual Texas Pro Soccer Festival.

The first Texas Pro Soccer Festival presented by Touch-Tel will feature four Major League Soccer teams, including the two-time MLS champion Houston Dynamo, during an electrifying week of double-header exhibition games, events and daily practices, officials announced. Besides the Dynamo, other MLS teams coming to the greater San Antonio area for the first time ever include D.C. United, Toronto FC and Chivas USA. The festival’s games will be held March 5 through 9 at Steele High School in Cibolo, while daily practices opened to area soccer fans are scheduled for the Soccer International facility (formerly Pepsi Soccer, Texas) in Schertz.

Wednesday, March 5
+ D.C. United vs. Chivas USA - 6 p.m.
+ Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC – 8:30 p.m.

Friday, March 7
+ Toronto FC vs. D.C. United – 6 p.m.
+ Chivas USA vs. Houston Dynamo – 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 9
+ Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United – 12:30 p.m.
+ Chivas USA vs. Toronto FC – 2:30 p.m.

Looks like a good time, despite the glaring absence of FC Dallas. I wonder if the Aztex USL-1 team could get in on the second annual Texas Pro Soccer Festival?

Labels: MLS