Austin Aztex Fall to Miami FC 2-0 in Florida

June 14, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Austin Aztex News Release


FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Without starting goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo out due to an injury suffered on Friday night in Puerto Rico, the Austin Aztex fell behind on the road early to the Miami FC Blues on Sunday night and never recovered, eventually losing 2-0.

The Miami (3-5-1, 10 points) offense created several early opportunities to establish control of the game, including a minute-long stretch where Miami's Diego Serna hit a shot off the crossbar and Paulo Araujo Jr.'s ambitious volley in the box just went over the bar. The onslaught continued when Araujo made it into the box on the right wing before he was brought down by Austin defender Lyle Adams, resulting in a penalty kick opportunity in just the 17th minute.

Serna stepped to the spot but was again foiled by the framework, keeping the score level despite a lethargic start from the Aztex (2-5-4, 10 points).

Five minutes later, a poor clearance from the Aztex defense made its way directly to Serna, who then promptly capitalized on the following one-on-one with Aztex goalkeeper Sam Reynolds to score Miami's first goal and redeem his missed penalty.

With the Aztex defense looking slow on its feet after the goal, a Miami long ball found Connaly Edozien with space on the right side less than 10 minutes later. Edozien calmly slipped the shot pass Reynolds to double the lead.

The Aztex offense failed to threaten the Miami back line throughout most of the game. Austin's first shot on goal came deep in the second half when clever footwork from Jean Alexandre, with the Aztex on a short-term loan from Real Salt Lake, broke down the Miami defense. But an outstretched Patrick Hannigan stopped the chance and all but sealed the Blues' home win.

The Aztex are now winless on the road in only three tries and have managed only one goal away from home compared to 10 allowed.

The loss pulls the Blues into a tie with Austin in the standings. Both are now one point behind Montreal for the final playoff spot.



USL First Division Stories from June 14, 2009


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