Miami FC looks forward to welcoming the Austin Aztex next season
Published on January 23, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, January 23 - United Soccer Leagues (USL) announced today a groundbreaking moment for sports in Austin as the city will soon be home to a USL First Division soccer franchise. The new club, Austin Aztex, will play in the USL First Division beginning in the 2009 season and will be affiliated with current English Championship side Stoke City FC.
The USL franchise has been acquired by Austin Football Holdings LLC, (AFH) under the ownership of British born business entrepreneur Phil Rawlins. An Austin resident, Rawlins is also an owner and director of Stoke City FC, who play in the English Championship. He has held an ownership interest in Stoke City FC for more than seven years and brings a wealth of management experience in soccer operations. Founded in 1863, the club is the second oldest professional soccer club in the world. It currently sits four points out of first at fourth in the Championship with a shot of promotion to the English Premier League.
"We look forward to welcoming and competing against the Aztex in 2009 as USL-1 returns to Texas. Given the importance and quality of soccer in Texas, we anticipate great support for the team and a competitive match-up every time we face them," said Miami FC's General Manager Luiz Muzzi.
Miami FC President Aaron Davidson who is originally from Dallas, Texas, also offered some words of praise, "Phil is the right owner and Austin, Texas is the right market. Texas is such a hotbed for soccer and Austin is a young and vibrant market which will surely embrace the team. We at Miami FC are confident in their ability to succeed and improve the overall quality of the United Soccer Leagues."
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring a top class professional soccer franchise to Austin," said Rawlins. "Central Texas has long been a hot-bed of young soccer talent with over 35,000 kids playing the game locally. Today's announcement gives these youngsters and talented players throughout Texas something to aim for and the chance of playing soccer at the very highest level. I am very excited about the affiliation agreement with Stoke and the European exposure that gives both the Aztex and our players. My goal is to make the Aztex a community-based club that the Austin area can be proud of."
The Austin Aztex will have an official affiliation with Stoke City FC, which will begin immediately. The affiliation will include the English club holding their summer training camp in Austin, scouting for talent both locally and across the US, exchanging players with the Aztex and sharing best practices between the two clubs.
"For the past few years, USL has been dedicated to expanding our relationships beyond the shores of North America and this announcement is another landmark moment in this quest," said USL founder and President Francisco Marcos. "I firmly believe that Phil Rawlins understands, and is fully committed to, the concept of international relationships as the way to speed up American player development and to further the creation of thriving soccer culture in the US. Following in the footsteps of Crystal Palace Baltimore, who began play last season, and of our recently announced partnership with West Ham United, this is a significant moment in the history and growth of the USL First Division. This announcement of the USL First Division's return to Texas is also representative of the league's commitment for growth as we continue our discussions in multiple markets for additional expansion clubs west of the Mississippi."
The name and logo represents the club's ties to the community, incorporating the state's name in an adaptation of the Aztecs, an empire from the 14th-16th centuries whose influences are still present in today's Hispanic culture. An Aztec style pyramid, also representative of the club's vertical structure, is the focal point of the logo with the state flag as the backdrop.
USL First Division Stories from January 23, 2008
- Impact Plays First Exhibition Game In Italy Thursday - Montreal Impact
- Miami FC looks forward to welcoming the Austin Aztex next season - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- USL-1 headed to Austin in 2009 - USL-1
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
