Aztex Host U.S. Open Cup Tonight!

The Austin Aztex host the NTX Rayados of the U.S. Adult Soccer Assoc. in a first-round match in the centennial edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, tonight at 7:30pm at House Park. Pre- and post-game fan gatherings will be at the Tavern (12th & Lamar).

The Open Cup is one of the oldest football tournaments in the world, open to all U.S. teams, from Major League Soccer down to weekend amateur leagues. The Rayados are one of those amateur clubs, probably the best in the soccer-rich Metroplex leagues. This was their second year to qualify for the Open Cup; they lost to the El Paso Patriots last year, 3-1. This will be the Aztex' Open Cup debut; they qualified by finishing in the top two in their division in their inaugural year in 2012.

The Aztex opened their PDL season Saturday with a come-from-behind, 2-1 road win over the expansion Oklahoma City FC, getting second-half goals from Tony Rocha and Tucker Hume. Now, starting with the Open Cup, the home schedule comes fast and furious: The home opener is this Saturday, May 18, against the Houston Dutch Lions. Then comes an Open Cup second-round game – next Tuesday, May 21, at House Park, if/when the Aztex win their first-round match. Then, two more Saturday home games in a row, May 25 and June 1, makes five home games in a 19-day span. Whew; better buy those season tickets now: $50 for eight flex tickets, here.