Preview: Aztex Hit Road to Face Tulsa Roughnecks
April 3, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
AUSTIN, Texas (Friday, April 3, 2015) - The Austin Aztex (1-1-0) will hit the road for their first away match of the young season, hoping to recover and salvage some points on the road versus the Tulsa Roughnecks (0-1-1) Saturday evening at ONEOK Field. However, the Aztex will face a Roughnecks squad hungry to claim their first win of the season.
The match features two squads who are not afraid to shoot the ball, as both the Aztex and the Roughnecks are two among the top five squads in the league in shot attempts.
Both squads enter the match looking to rebound from midweek losses. The Aztex suffered a 3-0 defeat to Canadian opponents Whitecaps FC 2 Wednesday night while the Roughnecks lost 2-0 to Eastern Conference foes St. Louis FC Thursday evening.
The Aztex will look to force the issue quickly and regain their scoring form. Through two games, the Aztex have scored two goals through 27 shot attempts. Forwards Sainey Touray and Trevin Caesar lead the squad in shot attempts with seven and six apiece, respectively. The two forwards have also scored the two goals to date on the season for the Aztex and have been featured early in head coach Paul Dalglish's offense.
The Aztex offense continues through forward Kris Tyrpak and Tony Rocha. This game will act as a homecoming of sort for Rocha, who recently wrapped up his collegiate career with the University of Tulsa, where he was a three-time All-Conference USA player.
Defensively, the Aztex will look to move forward and regain their form that forced a shutout in the season opener versus the Colorado Spring Switchbacks. Collectively, the Aztex defense has limited their opponents to where the team enjoys a +11 shot advantage over opponents. Yet the Roughnecks are a team that have not been limited in their shot attempts and have actually fired away more shots than the Aztex, with 29 attempts on the young season. Aztex goalkeeper Devin Perales carries a 1.50 goals-against-average into the matchup.
The Roughnecks attack is led by the tandem of Steven Miller and Brady Ballew. Ballew has scored the lone goal to date, in a 1-1 draw versus OKC Energy FC in the squad's season opener on Saturday, March 28. Miller works dangerously along the wing to get in behind the backline to help create opportunities.
Adam Black, a member of the Austin Aztex 2014 PDL squad, also creates chances for the Roughnecks. The playmaking forward scored five goals and added two assists with the 2014 Aztex, and Aztex fans can expect to see Black press to make an impression versus his former club.
Playing at goalkeeper for the Roughnecks is team captain Zac Lubin, who also has a goals-against-average of 1.50. Lubin spent the 2014 season playing for Swedish club IFK Lulea prior to making his league debut this season for Tulsa. Tulsa has allowed 23 shots through two games.
Fans can watch the game live on YouTube or tune in to live match updates on @Aztex_Matchcast.
Select Physical Therapy Injury Report
Alfred Shams: Out (Hamstring)
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 3, 2015
- Wilmington, Charlotte Draw 1-1 at Legion Stadium - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Independence Battle Back to Draw with Wilmington - Charlotte Independence
- NYRB II Sign Red Bulls Academy Player Dan Bedoya to USL Contract - New York Red Bulls II
- Rhinos Legends 5th Round Picks Announced - Rochester Rhinos
- New England Revolution Loan Rudy and Mulgrew for 2015 - Rochester Rhinos
- New York Red Bulls Loan 11 Players to NYRB II - New York Red Bulls II
- Hammerheads Add Andre Rawls to Roster - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Rhinos Travel to Pittsburgh Saturday Night - Rochester Rhinos
- OKC Energy FC Faces Colorado Springs Saturday - OKC Energy FC
- Kickers Partner with Bon Secours - Richmond Kickers
- Riverhounds Unveil 2015 Summer Camp Series - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Preview: Aztex Hit Road to Face Tulsa Roughnecks - Austin Aztex
- Hounds Look to Continue Bright Start against Rhinos - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- LA Galaxy II Fall to Arizona United SC in another Heartbreaker - LA Galaxy II
- Sacramento Republic FC Falls to Portland Timbers 2, 2-1 - Sacramento Republic FC
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.
