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Aztex Move up to MLS Competition in Open Cup Round of 16

June 28, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas (www.austinaztex.com) - After defeating the PDL's DFW Tornados and the amateur Arizona Sahuaros, the Austin Aztex get a change of both competition and scenery in the 2010 U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.

With two straight home games to start the tournament in the books, the Aztex are finally forced to hit the road for the round of 16 matchup against the MLS' Chivas USA.

Chivas USA finished the 2009 MLS season with a winning record before a 1-0 loss to the L.A. Galaxy knocked them out of the playoffs. The team has also recently featured two players heavily involved in the U.S. National Team in Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan. Bornstein, still currently on the roster, played in two matches for the USA during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Kljestan, however, just secured a loan to the Belgian club Anderlecht last week.

The game will be the first of the U.S. Open Cup for Chivas USA, as MLS teams are introduced to the tournament in the round of 16. Austin reached this game by defeating the DFW Tornados, 3-0, and the Arizona Sahuaros, 3-1.

In league play, Austin sits atop the USSF D-2 Pro League table with 30 points - eight points clear of the next closest competition. The Aztex also lead the league in scoring and need just one more goal in their next league match to tie their total from a season ago in half as many games. Their next league game comes Saturday against Puerto Rico, who the team defeated 2-1 on June 5 at House Park.

A victory against Chivas USA, paired with a Houston Dynamo victory against the Miami FC Blues, brings the Aztex back home for the quarterfinal matchup against Houston next Tuesday. However, Miami FC would host the Aztex if both teams emerge on top Tuesday night.

Game Notes:

Austin in the U.S. Open Cup

Austin has a 4-1-0 record in five U.S. Open Cup bouts, with two wins coming last year before bowing out to the Houston Dynamo. This season, the Aztex won their opening round game against the PDL's DFW Tornados and a second round game against the Arizona Sahuaros. With a victory against the MLS' Chivas USA, the Aztex move onto the quarterfinals to face either Miami FC or the Houston Dynamo.

Streaking

In its past 13 matches, the Aztex have dropped just one game, accruing a record of 8-3-1. The Aztex are just one win away from doubling its USSF D-2 Pro League win total from a season ago and one win away from becoming the league's first double-digit win team.

Offensive Firepower

Austin has nine more goals than its next closest competition - the Tampa Bay Rowdies (18). Its next goal scored in league play with give it a 28th on the season, matching its total from the entire 2009 campaign in just half the amount of games played.

Goal-Scoring Trio

Eddie Johnson, Max Griffin and Jamie Watson are all in the top five in the league in points, goals scored and shots taken. With eight goals this season, Johnson has already blown by his team-high total of five goals from 2009. Griffin and Watson have both equaled the total as well.

What's Next?

Austin heads back to league play on Saturday for a matchup against the Puerto Rico Islanders before facing the winner of the Houston Dynamo and Miami FC Blues next Tuesday if the Aztex can defeat Chivas USA.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 28, 2010


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