Preview: U.S. Open Cup 2nd Round - Austin Aztex FC vs. El Paso Patriots

June 16, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas - It's only Austin's second road trip in its short history, but it already has a special place in head coach Adrian Heath's heart.

"It's been a disaster for a lot of reasons," Heath said. "It was the most horrendous [plane] trip."

The initial travel arrangements to Puerto Rico took a dramatic turn for the worse early on Thursday when storms in Dallas delayed the team's flight out of Austin. Several backup plans were exhausted and finally forced the team to drive to Houston before taking a flight path that took them through Philadelphia and Newark, NJ before finally arriving in Puerto Rico around noon on Friday.

The on-field result didn't turn out much better.

"It certainly had an effect on them because I've never seen them as lethargic," Heath said.

The Aztex looked lifeless in a 4-1 defeat to the Islanders. The four goals scored by Puerto Rico matched the most allowed by Austin in the team's first road trip of the season to Montreal. To make matters worse, starting goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo went down with a serious leg injury. Kieron Bernard also suffered an injury and left the game.

The disappointment carried over to Sunday's game in Miami where the Aztex rarely threatened and the injury bug struck again, this time hitting offensive leader Eddie Johnson late in the match.

"At the end of the day, we have to regroup," Heath said.

Maybe a little home cooking is what it takes to regroup.

The Aztex (2-5-4, 10 points USL-1) return to Nelson Field Tuesday to host the PDL's El Paso Patriots (5-4-0, 15 points) for the team's second-round U.S. Open Cup match.

Gallardo won't be available, and more importantly is scheduled for x-rays this week. He could miss up to six weeks. Bernard and Johnson are still questionable for the game, making regrouping easier said than done for the Aztex.

"We have got a problem with injuries, but they've come to people who I think are important," Heath said. "They're the backbone of our team. They bring a lot of physical presence and mental strength."

Even with the problems of the weekend, Heath said he still saw a positive. Reserve keeper Sam Reynolds stepped into the net to replace Gallardo after his injury, and for the most part impressed Heath. Reynolds did get noticed in Sunday's game for the wrong reason when he scuffed a free kick that directly led to a goal.

"That's just the position goalkeepers are in," Heath said of the play. "One mistake and it costs them dearly. ... I still have confidence in him."

The winner of Tuesday's match will get to host the Houston Dynamo in the third round.

With so many factors beginning to pile up on the Aztex, the team can't start looking too far ahead. And Heath knows it.

"We have to make sure we get through this round first. If we don't approach it right, we could fall."



USL First Division Stories from June 16, 2009


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.

OurSports Central