Aztex Bow out of Open Cup After 2-0 Loss to Houston
June 17, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
HOUSTON, Texas (Wednesday, June 17, 2015) - The Austin Aztex saw their 2015 U.S. Open Cup campaign come to an end Wednesday evening in Houston, falling to Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo by a score of 2-0.
The Aztex were composed and strong for most of the match, creating scoring opportunities versus the MLS squad. However, goals by Miranda and Clark gave the home team the deciding advantage.
Facing midweek action in soggy conditions, Aztex Head Coach Paul Dalglish chose to go with a strong, physical midfield trio of Guaraci, Tony Rocha and Greg Mulamba. Looking to control the midfield and absorb the pressure from the Dynamo, the Aztex worked well to limit Houston's chances until the Dynamo broke through halfway through the first half.
Houston opened the scoring in the 24th minute of action when Miranda helped win the ball to start the counterattack. He hit the ball up to Alex, who held up play as Miranda raced toward the back line. Alex then threaded a perfectly weighted pass to Miranda on the right side of goal, who ran up and hit the ball past Aztex goalkeeper Devin Perales.
For the Aztex, they had their first scoring chance just minutes prior in the 22nd minute when Sainey Touray rose above his defender at the edge of the penalty area on a free kick and headed the ball back toward goal. Andres Cuero slipped past the defense and tried to knock the ball past Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis, but the ball was just out of reach.
The next chance would come in the 39th minute when the Aztex got a second chance from a corner kick. Cuero received the ball right of goal and hit in a cross that found a wide open Timbo in front of goal, who headed the ball right at Willis. Four minutes later, Touray would win the ball at midfield and race toward the Dynamo goal. Touray cut in toward goal and Dynamo defender Kofi Sarkodie swept the ball away from Touray to deny the shot in front of goal.
The game entered halftime with the Dynamo carrying the one-goal advantage. Paul Dalglish made a halftime change, sending in Mozzi Gyorio in at midfield for Mulamba.
The chances for the Aztex continued in the second half as the team searched for an equalizer. In the 57nd minute, the Aztex mounted a counterattack in which Touray drove the ball down the right side before he hit at the back post, finding Kris Tyrpak while pulling Willis away from the right post. Tyrpak headed the ball across goal, and a lunging Andres Cuero was unable to reach the ball for the finishing touch.
The best chance for the Aztex in the second half came from substitute Trevin Caesar. Caesar was able to win the loose ball in the middle of the field and used his pace for a breakaway on goal. With his right foot, Caesar blasted a shot toward goal. Willis was able to get his hand on the ball, where it deflected off of the crossbar for an Aztex corner.
While the Aztex mounted their chances, the Dynamo looked to land the finishing touch and found that moment in stoppage time. Ricardo Clark, who entered the game nearly ten minutes earlier, received a pass from Mauro Manotas and chipped the ball over Perales to clinch the game for the MLS squad.
The Aztex will resume the rest of their USL season beginning with their first home game in nearly one month. The Aztex will face the Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. The Aztex will donate one dollar per fan in attendance versus Tulsa toward flood relief from the Memorial Day floods.
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