Aztex Face Tulsa Roughnecks at House Park on Saturday
May 21, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
AUSTIN, Texas (Thursday, May 21, 2015) - After advancing to the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, the Aztex (4-4-1) shift their focus back to USL action when they host the Tulsa Roughnecks FC (2-4-2) at House Park on Saturday.
The Aztex will look to rebound from a 3-2 loss to Arizona United SC last Saturday in Scottsdale and will return to the familiar confines of House Park. In the past month, the Aztex have won four of their previous five matches at House Park.
The last time these two squads met, Aztex forward Kris Tyrpak netted a brace to give the Aztex the 2-0 win at ONEOK Field in Tulsa on April 4. Tyrpak has continued his goal-scoring ways and enters the game as the Aztex leader with five goals and 11 points. However, Tyrpak was forced out of the Arizona game early due to illness and was rested for the midweek U.S. Open Cup Match. This may lead the Aztex to continue to rely on their depth in attack.
Trevin Caesar and Brian Fekete saw playing time versus Arizona and Laredo and paired well for the second goal on Wednesday. Caesar follows Tyrpak in points with three goals on the season, including a strong individual effort goal scored versus Arizona. Fekete, who also plays at defense, made a notable appearance with a goal and an assist of his own on Wednesday. Other attacking options for the Aztex include the towering Adam Bedell, on loan from Columbus Crew SC.
The Aztex midfield is run through team captain Lance Rozeboom, who has shown versatility throughout the season by taking on roles in offense and defense. Joining Rozeboom to enforce the middle of the field has been Brazilian midfielder Guaraci. Head Coach Paul Dalglish adds attacking options through Brendan King and Mozzi Gyorio, who both started the two previous matches for the Aztex.
The defense continues to run through the centerback pairing of Kalen Ryden and Kyle Hoffer, each having played every minute of the USL season to date.
Aztex goalkeeper Devin Perales helped the Aztex earn a shutout versus Tulsa last time the two squads met, and Perales earned his third professional shutout in Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup match. The Aztex have split time between Perales and Cody Laurendi, who has started the five previous games, which also coincide with the squads recent run of high form at home.
With only two wins on the season, Tulsa will enter the game with high confidence after they went on the road and defeated then-first place Orange County Blues FC by a score of 1-0 last weekend. Gibson Bardsley provided the lone goal of the match and leads the team in goals scored with three.
Bardley scored the goal off of a corner from Chad Bond. Bond provided additional magic on Wednesday when he scored an Olympico from the corner to help the Roughnecks advance in the U.S. Open Cup in a 1-0 win over Seacoast United.
Select Physical Therapy Injury Report:
Sainey Touray - Out (Knee)
Leone Cruz - Out (Back)
Kris Tyrpak - Probable (Illness)
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 21, 2015
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- Islanders Host Third Round of U.S. Open Cup Wednesday - Penn FC
- Switchbacks vs. United SC Game Preview - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Aztex Face Tulsa Roughnecks at House Park on Saturday - Austin Aztex
- PSA Elite Eliminates Orange County in Second Round of Open Cup - Orange County SC
- Real Monarchs SLC to Host Colorado Springs May 27 in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round - Real Monarchs
- Battery to Host Fort Lauderdale in May 21 U.S. Open Cup Match - Charleston Battery
- 16 USL Clubs Advance in Open Cup - USL
- Switchbacks FC Win Their First-Ever U.S. Open Cup Match - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- LA Galaxy II Loses U.S. Open Cup Match to Ventura County - LA Galaxy II
- Sounders FC 2 Earns 4-2 Extra Time Win over Kitsap Pumas SC - Tacoma Defiance
- Arizona United SC Drops U.S. Open Cup Match to Chula Vista FC - Phoenix Rising FC
- Sacramento Republic FC 4 doubles-up on Sonoma County Sol FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Roughnecks Win Cup Opener, Host OKC Energy Wednesday - FC Tulsa
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