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Aztex Try to Rebound at Home Against Portland Timbers

July 10, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas - Austin head coach Adrian Heath seemed surprised at Sunday's result against Rochester. After walking into the half scoreless on the road, the wheels fell off in the second half when the Aztex allowed four goals in a 20-minute stretch.

"Losing 4-1 was a real kick in the teeth to be honest," Heath said. "I was probably going in the more content of the two coaches at halftime. They were at home, they should be taking the game to us and yet we had the chances. ... To fall apart like we did is very disappointing."

The final result was certainly disheartening, but a shaky defense wasn't all that surprising.

The Aztex, which have the youngest team in the USL-1, have allowed two goals or more in seven games, third worst behind Vancouver (eight) and Cleveland (10), and managed just two clean sheets, both coming against Cleveland. Austin is 0-6-1 in those performances, earning a lone point.

Over the course of the season Austin has allowed 27 goals, tied with Cleveland.

On the road, the team has struggled even more. Austin has conceded 16 goals on the road for a -11 goal differential including surrendering four goals on Sunday in Rochester, the third time this season that has happened. The leaky defense has allowed the Aztex to earn only four points away from home for the season.

"At the moment we seem to be taking two steps forward, one step back," Heath said, referring to the shutout two days before the loss. "It's something we need to sort out because we can't keep conceding four goals on the road."

If the road has been the specific weakness for the defense, Saturday provides a break from traveling when the Aztex (3-7-6, 15 points) play host to third-place Portland (7-1-6, 27 points).

While the Aztex have played considerably better at home, so much shifting in the back line has made it a challenge.

"It's tough because you can't get used to one person," defender Kieron Bernard said. "We kept out a goal Friday [against Cleveland] and we had to switch center backs. ... It's better to play with the same guys."

MLS players have come in and out of the back line all season in order to battle injuries - and costly mistakes. Three of Sunday's goals came off botched clearances, a recurring issue for Austin.

"Individual errors are costing us very dearly," Heath said. "I look at our goals [allowed] and if I thought the opposition was cutting us open because the system was so poor, then I'd be very concerned. But at times it's isolated incidents where defenders are making stupid errors really."



USL First Division Stories from July 10, 2009


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