Soccer Watch
Streaking Aztex host Tampa Bay, and more
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., Aug. 6, 2010
The first-place Austin Aztex look to extend their league lead when they host the Tampa Bay Rowdies this Saturday (Aug. 7, 7:30pm; House Park, 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd.). In two previous meetings this year, the Aztex and Rowdies have battled to high-scoring draws – 2-2 in Florida, and 3-3 here in Austin, with Tampa getting the equalizer in the last seven minutes each time. The Rowdies have won just one of their last 10 games, after going undefeated in seven games in May. The Aztex, on the other hand, extended their unbeaten streak to six games with last week's 3-1 win over Miami, behind goals by Eddie Johnson, Lawrence Olum, and young striker Kendall McFayden who was a late sub playing in his first pro game ever. McFayden augments an already potent strike force, with Johnson, Jamie Watson, and Maxwell Griffin all in the Top 6 in the league in scoring – plus the team is very high on new addition Randi Patterson, a striker just purchased from Baltimore. No time like the present to catch this very exciting young team; the Aztex have only three more regular-season home games after this one, as they end with eight of their last 11 on the road.
And fire up the DVR, because the USL Premier Development League championship game is on Fox Soccer Channel at exactly the same time as the Aztex game, Saturday, 7:30pm. The host Portland Timbers U23s (18-0-0) are trying to become the first team in the PDL's 15-year history to finish as undefeated champions.
The Aztex, along with the American Outlaws Austin chapter and the Free Beer Movement, are hosting a Beat Brazil Dollar Beer Bash at Mister Tramps Sports Pub and Cafe (8565 Research) – a watch party for the USA vs. Brazil game, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 7pm (live on ESPN2 and Univision).
The Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC each advanced to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time, by earning draws Tuesday in tough second-leg preliminary round games in Central America. With that, Major League Soccer will have at least four of the 16 spots in the group stage – its most ever. The L.A. Galaxy could join them but would have to reverse a 4-1 first-leg deficit when it plays at the Puerto Rico Islanders Wednesday night as we go to press. The Islanders are currently in last place in the Aztex's USL conference but have a history of success in the prestigious Champions League.
MLS is having success off the field as well, as it continues to add big-name players from around the world during the current summer transfer window. The latest are Mexican national team captain Rafael Marquez – who joins former world player of the year Thierry Henry at the New York Red Bulls – and Uruguayan World Cup starter Álvaro Fernández who now plays for Seattle.
