Aztex Open The Season Against Montreal

Published on April 10, 2010 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Austin Aztex News Release


The Austin Aztex open their 2010 campaign at 6 p.m. tomorrow in their brand new home, House Park (15th and Lamar).

Austin begins the season with 18 players set on its roster, half of which are new to the team. The Aztex bulked up their defense in the offseason, signing former USL Rookie of the Year Jay Needham, former L.A. Galaxy defender Leonard Griffin, All-CAA goalkeeper Sean Kelley, and former Real Salt Lake midfielder Joey Worthen, who will also help on the back line at times throughout the season.

To bolster scoring efforts, Austin also signed a pair of forwards in Medaille College All-American Kendell McFayden and former UCLA star Maxwell Griffin. Lawrene Olum from the Minnesota Thunder will take his place in the midfield.

Back from last season's team is the bulk of the team's scoring in forward Eddie Johnson and midfielders Yordany Alvarez and Sullivan Silva. Miguel Gallardo also returns to the team after jumping off to a stellar start in 2009 before an injury abruptly ended his season.

On the other side of the pitch, the Impact have signed five players during the offseason: midfielders Filipe Soares (Feirense, Portugal D2), Philippe Billy (Brest, France D2) and Tyler Hemming (Charleston), as well as forward Reda Agourram and goalkeeper Andrei Badescu, both players from the reserve team.

In addition, Montreal renewed contracts with six of its core members from last year: MVP David Testo, midfielders Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Rocco Placentino and Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, as well as defender Adam Braz and forward Roberto Brown.

Montreal finished its preseason slate with a record of 3-2-3.

The Aztex first opponent won the USL-1 title and are back to defend it against an Aztex team that it played to a 2-0-1 record against in 2009. In its only match in Austin at Nelson Field, the Aztex and Montreal played to a 2-2 draw.

In the Aztex only other season opener, they tied Minnesota, 1-1, on April 18, 2009.

The match can be seen live on the Aztex website: www.austinaztex.com on the home page in the video player section.

Fans are invited to partake in the Aztex game day experience prior to the game, beginning at the Tavern at 4 p.m. and ending at Cuatros in a meet and greet event with the players following the match.

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USL First Division Stories from April 10, 2010


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