Aztex Reignite Rivalry in U.S. Open Cup Match Versus Laredo Heat
May 19, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
AUSTIN, Texas (Tuesday, May 19, 2015) - The Austin Aztex will begin their participation in the 2015 Lamar US Open Cup's Second Round, where they face a mid-week clash against their former PDL rival, the Laredo Heat, on Wednesday May 20. The contest will take place at House Park, kicking off at 8 p.m. CDT.
The game will be one of 21 contests to be played on May 20 as part of the US Open Cup's Second Round. USL teams will see action on each and every one of these matches.
Wednesday's matchup reignites a strong rivalry held between the Aztex and the Heat, as the Aztex formerly competed in the USL PDL's Mid South Division from 2012 through 2014. The two squads finished in the top two spots of the division each year, advancing to the conference championships. In head-to-head action, the matches were close as the Aztex take a 5-4-0 all time record versus the Heat into the matchup. This will be the first time, however, that the two squads will meet in the U.S. Open Cup.
The winner of the Austin/Laredo matchup will advance to face the reigning NASL champion San Antonio Scorpions in the Third Round of the tournament on Wednesday, May 27. If the Aztex defeat the Heat, they will travel to Toyota Field in San Antonio to face the Scorpions. If the Heat upset the Aztex, then the Scorpions will travel to Laredo for the third round tilt.
This will mark the fourth US Open Cup appearance for the Aztex, who hold a 1-2-0 record so far. A win over the Heat would mark the first time that the Aztex have advanced to the third round of the tournament. On the other hand, the Heat squad holds a 4-2-3 overall record in the tournament, with its best appearance coming on in 2014, making it all the way to the fourth round.
This year, Laredo advanced to the second round of the US Open Cup to face the Aztex after a grueling match with NTX Rayados in which the game required a penalty shootout to decide a winner. Laredo's Frank Lara, Angel Martinez, Martin Moreno and Leon Taylor all converted to make the difference as Laredo won 4-2 after the penalty kicks.
Last time they played as PDL Mid South opponents, the Aztex took home three points after downing the Heat on the road with a 2-1 score, back in July 1, 2014. Now, the Aztex are competing in USL, currently holding on to fourth place in the Western Conference standings. The Laredo Heat are making the final tune-ups before starting their 2015 USL PDL campaign on May 23.
Historically, this matchup has featured tough, physical, and intense contests. This time, the Aztex will look to display the high-powered offense that has them ranked in the 8^th in goals scored league-wide in USL with 13 goals in nine games.
Led by Kris Tyrpak's five goals, the Aztex offensive output has them fighting for the top spots in their first year of USL play. He will be mainly supported by forward Trevin Caesar, who adds three goals Austin's total tally. In total, nine players in the current Aztex roster have previously played against the Laredo Heat wearing the Aztex jersey.
On the other side of the pitch, they'll face a Laredo squad that made a head coach change early in 2015. The organization promoted former standout player and assistant coach Daniel Galvan to lead the team for the 2015 PDL season. Galvan began playing with the Heat in 2006 after an extensive career in Mexico with Club de Futbol Monterrey. He then proceeded to serve as an assistant coach for former head coach Fernando Hernandez, whom he has now replaced at the helm of the club.
Laredo's current roster has familiar players to the Aztex organization from previous duels, such as Jorge Ortega, Frank Lara, and Salvador Luna. But none of them are as familiar to the Aztex as one of the Heat's latest signings, Jesus "Chuy" Cortes. Cortes played for the Aztex during their PDL run, standing out in 2014 by appearing in 13 games, and registering five goals. He also added four assists and 18 shots. Cortes was known specially for revving up the attack late in games and scoring last-minute, game-winning goals.
This game will surely be a unique experience for fans, providing an entertaining and physical match that will bring back memories to fans from when the Aztex began their journey to the professional ranks. It will be interesting to see how each team tries to take advantage of the deep knowledge they have of each other, and how that will affect the outcome on the field.
This game is, after all, single elimination.
The Aztex will quickly jump back into USL action after this match, hosting the Tulsa Roughnecks at House Park on Saturday May 23 at 8 p.m. CDT. Live updates for both matches will also be available on Twitter via @Aztex_Matchcast.
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