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Aztex Face off Against Streaking St. Louis for Second Time This Season

July 15, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas (www.austinaztex.com) -Recapturing their scoring form from the first half of the season will be one of the main goals for the Austin Aztex when they take on AC St. Louis at 7:30 on July 17 at House Park.

The top scoring team in the league has gone through a recent slump but have still come out with positive results and feel confident that they will catch their scoring stride once again.

Austin has relied on a stingy defense to help them keep a four game league unbeaten streak alive. The Aztex defense has only given up four goals in the last six games despite missing some key parts.

During the six game stretch Aztex defenders Leonard Griffin and Jay Needham each missed games forcing the Aztex to rely on their backline depth to help them earn results.

The Aztex will certainly need to be sharp in both aspects of the game in order to knock off AC St. Louis (3-8-4) who has not lost a match in their last three games and has only lost one in their last six games.

AC St. Louis currently sits in last place in both the NASL Conference and the entire league but have been accumulating points since hiring new Head Coach Dale Schilly on June 25.

The match will certainly be an intriguing one as it pits the league's top team in Austin versus one of the league's hottest teams in St. Louis.

Austin and St. Louis have met before this season, which resulted in a 2-1 win for the Aztex in St. Louis. The Aztex held the advantage in both shots (8-5) and corners (6-0) in that game and used a second half goal by Leonard Griffin to earn the victory.

Three points is what separates the second place Vancouver Whitecaps from the first place Aztex who also have a game in hand. Austin will be looking to increase their league lead to six with a victory against AC St. Louis.

A win would be sure to excite an Austin crowd that will also be celebrating Hawaiian Night at House Park. Leis will be given out to the first 400 fans that enter the stadium and a handful of lucky Aztex fans will be asked to participate in the Hula Hoop contest.

Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. at House Park and a live stream will be broadcast on www.austinaztex.com. Be sure to tune in and check out all the Aztex action as they look to continue their pursuit of a first place finish in the USSF D-2 Pro League.

Game Notes:

Series Matchup

Austin is 1-0 all-time against AC St. Louis who is in its first year in the USSF D-2 Pro League. Austin beat AC St. Louis 2-1 on April 17 - the first game played at Anheuser-Busch Stadium.

Back in Action

It took one month, but Lance Watson's hamstring finally healed as he started Friday for the first time since June 5. Austin also welcomes back starting center back Jay Needham who was forced to sit out the Aztex last match versus Rochester due to food poisoning.

Stuck on 0

Friday's 0-0 draw was only Austin's second scoreless draw in franchise history. The first came on June 9 against Portland.

Night Owls

Austin is 3-1-4 when starting at 7:30 p.m. this season and 6-1-4 on odd-numbered days.

And Then There Were Two

Miguel Gallardo and Yordany Alvarez are now the last two players on the team to compete in every minute of every game this season.

Spreading the Goals

AC St. Louis has 11 goals this year from nine different players.

Injury Update

Aztex defender Kieron Bernard (groin) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup with AC St. Louis.

What's Next?

After the match against AC St. Louis, the Aztex only have two week gap before they square off against their rivals Miami FC on July 31 at 7:30 p.m. at House Park. The winner of Austin versus Miami will be given the Willie Nelson guitar. This guitar has become a traveling trophy of sorts for this winner of each match between Austin and Miami.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 15, 2010


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