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Rawlins Hails Impact of Veterans

June 8, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Austin Aztex News Release


STOKE, England (www.stokecityfc.com) -- STOKE CITY'S sister club the Austin Aztex are flying in the USSF Division-2 Pro League and will be looking to make it four wins in a row when they take on the Portland Timbers at House Park on Wednesday evening.

In the build-up to that match, stokecityfc.com spoke to Phil Rawlins about that success story and the hope that the Aztex can consolidate their position at the top of the table with a five point gap over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. As well as being a Director of Stoke City, Phil is the President of the Aztex and played a big part in setting up the club in Austin two years ago.

*Q: Phil, it's been a remarkable start this season. Did you foresee the side making such dramatic progress following on from last year?*

A: I knew that we could improve a lot on last year's results. We had so many games last season where we were the dominant team only to lose or draw in the last five minutes. So, yes we knew we would be better this year. That said, it has been a great start, losing only once in our first ten games and not losing a single away game. Great stuff!

*Q: What has been a key attribute in the success? Is it largely down to having that year of experience behind you, thus giving the team and club time to develop?*

A: A year of experience has helped a lot. This is a tough League, made tougher by the travel regime. Our closest away game is over 900 miles away! So managing the travel, understanding our opponents and their weaknesses has all helped. But I think the biggest factor has been the introduction of a few "veteran" players whose experience has helped the younger lads, that's made a huge difference. Plus we have been relatively injury-free so far, allowing Adrian Heath to field pretty much the same eleven each week.

* Q: Who has been impressing you in the team so far, or is it similar to Stoke, a unified team effort?*

A: It's been very much a team effort. We have players in all positions that have produced great performances in certain games but overall it's been the effort and hard work of ALL the players that has enabled this run of wins.

* Q: You are now eight games unbeaten, is it too early to start talking about a league winning campaign, or is that a realistic hope given the terrific start you have had?*

A: I know it's cliché to talk about taking one game at a time, but that really is what we are doing. We beat a team and then focus on the next team coming to Austin or the next away game, just trying to pick them off one at a time! June is a big month for us, we have what I consider to be three of the best teams in the League at home this month. Puerto Rico, who we beat on Saturday, Portland tomorrow evening and then Vancouver who have been in the Championship game for the past two seasons. Both Portland and Vancouver make the move to MLS next year, so they will be strong. If we can get through this month with some good results we will be halfway through the season and in good shape.

* Q: You recently had Chief Executive Tony Scholes over there, spending time with you. What was the idea behind that and was it a successful trip?*

A: We have had an official affiliation with Stoke for over two years now and Tony wanted to come out and see for himself everything we are doing. He took in the game against Tampa where we had over 6,000 at the game, saw our training facilities and saw how the Club runs on a matchday from an operational point of view. So, it was a very successful trip and hopefully on the back of it we can bring Stoke out here in the future.

*Q: The support for the Aztex is continuing to grow both over there in Austin and over here in Stoke, is it important that the support base continues to grow for you?*

A: Yes, it's vitally important that we keep growing the supporter base. We need to educate the public here what pro football is all about and what the experience of coming to a game is like. Fans here aren't used to having a local professional team to support, so we are building our fan base with every game we play. We had over 6,000 for the Tampa game and over 4,000 on Saturday for Puerto Rico, so we are getting there, but it's a slow process, adding one fan at a time. There is so much to do in Austin, people have lots of choices when it comes to spending their leisure time, but once we get someone out to the game they love it and want to come back, which is great!

*Q: What's the excitement like over there for the World Cup, especially with England and USA coming together this Saturday. It must be a big game for you personally and I'm sure the banter between the players and Adrian Heath and yourself is good? *

A: The excitement over here amongst the "soccer" fans is incredible. People can't wait for it to start and they can't wait for the England game. They have lots of respect for England and I think most fans here would be shouting for them if the US hadn't qualified but that doesn't stop them wanting to kick our butts! The banter is great both in the office and out at training. We are hosting Watch Parties throughout the World Cup at bars all over the city, the players and coaches go out and watch the games with the fans, it's unique in that respect.

*Q: Now on to Stoke Phil, what are your hopes for the forthcoming 2010/11 season, is it still the primary objective to stay in the Premier League?*

A: That has to be the number one objective. With the money in the Premier League these days you have to ensure you stay in there. After that, I would like to see us finish as high as we can in our "mini" League, I forecast us to be ninth last year, I think that would be a great achievement this season. And maybe, this time, we can go all the way in a Cup. It would be great to see us back at Wembley again in a big final.

*Q: Finally, I'm sure you have regular dialogue with the hierarchy here at Stoke, but are you still hopeful of one day seeing a player come through the Aztex and go on to play in the top flight with Stoke City?*

A: That would be a dream come true for everyone associated at the Aztex but we have to be realistic, it's a huge step up from the US Div 2 to the Premier League. For now I would be delighted to see one of our players make it over there in the professional game. Kieron Bernard trained with Stoke for a month last season, he isn't quite ready for that standard yet but he is one that could play in England. It would be great to see someone like him, who the Aztex gave their first pro contract to, make the grade in Europe. That's our goal.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 8, 2010


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