Soccer Watch
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., Oct. 9, 2015
Sad news for local soccer fans this week, as the Austin Aztex announced that they will not play the 2016 season, but try to regroup to re-enter the USL in 2017 in a new, purpose-built venue. Majority owner Rene van de Zande confirmed this week that no existing stadium in the Austin area would fit the bill, but was adamant that a new venue could be ready in 18 months. The USL will let the team keep its franchise while going inactive for a year, but the clock is clearly running on the stadium plans and rumors that have been swirling around for the past several years. More info at www.austinaztex.com.
The UT Longhorns had a successful road trip last week, beating Kansas, 2-1, and drawing at Oklahoma, 0-0. They host four Big 12 home matches in October, starting this weekend with Iowa State (Fri., Oct. 9, 7pm) and TCU (Sun., Oct. 11, 4pm) at Mike A. Myers Stadium (and live on the Longhorn Network). Friday is "Kick for a Cure" night, so wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
The St. Edward's men and women each swept a pair of games last week, bumping the men up to sixth-ranked in the nation. They're on the road again this week; the women host Texas A&M International at 3:30pm, Thu., Oct. 8, and play Newman in Kansas at 2:30pm, Sat., Oct. 10.
Elsewhere this week, Oct. 8-13 is dedicated to international play, with World Cup qualifiers in Asia and South America, the group finales of Euro16 qualifiers, plus the Confederations Cup playoff between the U.S. and Mexico, Sat., Oct. 10, 8pm at the Rose Bowl, live on FS1. Earlier that day, the U.S. U-23 team will take on either Mexico or Honduras for a berth in the 2016 Olympics, after three impressive wins in group play.
