MATCH PREVIEW: Austin Aztex (1-1-3) FC vs Carolina Railhawks (4-2-1)

Published on May 22, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas - After a trip across the Canadian border was spoiled by a disappointing shutout loss, Aztex Head Coach Adrian Heath has taken on the role of psychologist this week as much as that of on-field tactician.

"You hope it doesn't dent them too much," Heath said. "I told them I've had at least 20 [bad games] throughout my career. You just move on."

It may be hard to move on after the way the team fell in Montreal last Sunday. The Impact rattled off three goals in a span of 11 minutes after a scoreless first half from both teams. The last goal of the three came after a poor clearance from the Aztex defense, setting up a distance shot that completed the blitz and quelled any thoughts of an Aztex comeback.

"Every day Sunday will get farther and farther in the back of their minds," Heath said.

While Sunday's game was the team's first road contest of the year and expected to provide its share of challenges, the Aztex came into the matchup with a roster that didn't look like any of the previous lineups used back in Austin. Due to issues with work permits, the team was without Alex Tapp and regular starters Kieron Bernard, Sullivan Silva and Yordany Alvarez. A bout with the shingles forced A.J. Godbolt to miss the trip and fellow regular Lyle Adams was in Winston-Salem, N.C. attending his Wake Forest graduation.

If that wasn't enough to put the Aztex at a disadvantage, Gifton Noel-Williams was out with a hamstring injury and a hip injury sidelined backup goalkeeper Sam Reynolds.

"It was a recipe for disaster," said Godbolt, who watched the game from home. "There were so many factors. They're not excuses but [there were] just a lot of factors."

After a week of practice to help forget Sunday's disaster, the Aztex (1-1-3, 6 points) now have to put it behind them in order to host a Carolina Railhawks squad (4-2-1, 13 pts) that currently sits tied at the top of the USL-1 standings.

The Railhawks have bullied their way up the standings thanks to their physical style of play, a particularly worrisome style that could trouble an Aztex team that has struggled to click defensively.

"Concentration - that's a big key," Heath said. "When you're under physical pressure, when you're under stress, do you make silly mistakes? If we defend like we did Sunday, we'll be in trouble."

Several players will be returning against Carolina to help out Heath's lineup including Godbolt, Adams and Reynolds. Despite those additions, there are still a few that will be out including Englishmen Gareth Evans and leading point scorer Eddie Johnson who both remain out of the country while they wait for paperwork associated with their permits to be approved. Noel-Williams' injury will likely keep him off the pitch as well.

"It would be a tall task for him to play," Heath said of Noel-Williams.

To make matters worse, Silva (ankle), Bernard (knee) and Jarius Holmes (knee) all suffered some degree of injury during training this week. Heath ruled Bernard as doubtful for Sunday's game and labeled Silva and Holmes as probable.

"We'll work with what we've got," goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo said. "Whoever comes on the field, we have confidence in them."

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