Soccer Watch
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., Feb. 6, 2015
Lots of Austin Aztex news this week, as we're just a week away from the ATX Pro Challenge preseason tournament, which will bring three MLS teams to UT's Myers Stadium (Friday and Sunday, Feb. 13 & 15; tickets on sale at all Austin H-E-B stores, or see www.austinaztex.com). Most notably, USL PRO unveiled their season schedule Monday: The Aztex play a 28-game schedule, all against their rivals in the 12-team Western Conference. The regular season will open Saturday, March 28, and run through Sept. 20, with 11 of the 14 home games played on a Saturday, and all home games kicking off at 8pm at House Park. Seven of the first 10 games will be played at home, where the Aztex have been 20-3-3 in their three years in USL PDL. The Aztex host the Colorado Springs Switchbacks for their season opener and pro debut, one of four times those two face each other during the season.
The Aztex officially started their preseason training this week, after announcing several more signings, including returning veteran Leone Cruz in defense, and Gregory Mulamba, a powerful South African midfielder who's played against the Aztex a number of times for his former team, the Laredo Heat. At this point, the announced 16-player roster includes two goalkeepers and seven proven defenders, but remains thin up front. Expect more names to be added imminently, if not sooner.
There are a couple of big English derbies on the TV schedule this weekend: North London's Arsenal at Spurs, 6:45am Saturday on NBCSN, followed by Liverpool at Everton at 11:30 on NBC... Then on Sunday it's the U.S. national teams on ESPN: The women start World Cup preparations for real, playing France at 11am, followed by the men taking on Panama at 3pm.
