SPORTSAztex Make House Park HomeAn <strong>Austin</strong> Aztex 2010 primerOMG. <strong>The</strong> season proper gets started this Sunday, and you’re not ready for it? Not to worry.Here’s all you need to know about the current incarnation of our local professional soccer squad.So, how cool is it to be playing in the “new”stadium?That’s an easy one. Everyone around theteam is excited about the move to House Parkbecause of the central location, the proximityto the businesses around Lamar and 12thStreet, and the homier vibe of the facility ingeneral. But the biggest factor is that with notrack around the field, the stands are right ontop of the sideline, and the atmosphere is a lotmore intimate. Yes, it’s still artificial turf andlined for gridiron, but goalkeeper MiguelGallardo says the surface is more forgiving thanthe rock-hard turf at NelsonField, and he’s the one who hasto throw his body onto it all thetime, so I’ll take his word for it.Who should I watch?Depends what you like. <strong>The</strong>easy answer would be SullivanSilva. Starting his third year here,the Brazilian-born winger definitelyhas the moves – step-oversand dazzling changes of pace anddirection – plus the style andcharm that make him a fan favorite.A goalkeeping aficionado, onthe other hand, will love Gallardo– his physical play and shotstoppingskills, but even more hiscommand of the box and marshallingof the defense. KieronBernard is a big physical presencein central defense, and coachesare very high on new wingdefender Leonard Griffin. Amonga lot of talent up front, EddieJohn son stands out – the team’sleading scorer last year and mypick for player of the year.Who are the starting 11?Head Coach Adrian Heathisn’t ready to say, though he’s gotit set in his head, he says. But theback line is confirmed: Gallardoin goal, Bernard and Jay Needhamin middle, and Griffin and KevinSakuda on the wings.What happened to the amateur PremierDevelopment League team?I’ve got to think it didn’t make much senseeconomically to operate two start-up soccerteams in the same market. I’ll miss the AztexU-23s; they were the original Aztex, after all,plus the senior squad got a few valuable call -ups from them last year. On the other hand,the rest of that PDL division is still there, andthe Aztex can presumably fill emergency rosterspots from that player pool; they’ve alreadycreated an affiliation with the West TexasUnited Sockers in Midland.JOHN ANDERSONBY NICK BARBAROAdrian Heath (center) entertains fans at a recentmeet-and-greet.AUSTIN AZTEX CURRENT ROSTERG Miguel Gallardo USA AztexG Sean Kelley USA George Mason U.D Kieron Bernard JAM AztexD Jay Needham USA Alta IF (Norway)D Leonard Griffin USA L.A. GalaxyD/M Kevin Sakuda USA AztexD Wes Allen USA AztexM/D Lance Watson USA Kansas City WizardsM Yordany Alvarez CUB AztexM Michael Callahan USA AztexM Lawrence Olum KEN Minnesota ThunderF Sullivan Silva BRA AztexF Eddie Johnson ENG AztexF Jamie Watson USA Wilmington (USL-2)F Kendell McFayden USA Aztex PDLF Maxwell Griffin USA L.A. Legends (PDL)USSF D-2Pro LeagueUSL CONFERENCE<strong>Austin</strong> AztexNSC Minnesota StarsPortland TimbersPuerto Rico IslandersRochester RhinosTampa Bay RowdiesNASL CONFERENCECarolina RailHawksCrystal Palace BaltimoreMiami FCMontreal ImpactAC St. LouisVancouver WhitecapsWill the Aztex have enough depth this year?That was a big problem last year, as injuries(and immigration issues) wore the squaddown during a grueling stretch of midseasongames. Was it a coincidence that the Aztexgave up so many crucial goals late in games inthe second half of the season? So, yes, it’s aconcern that there are currently only 16 playersunder contract. But a few more will beadded soon, I’m assured, and there are lots ofunsigned players available. It’s been a chaoticpreseason, as a recently resolved labor impassewith Major League Soccer players had a trickle-downeffect on all levels of U.S. soccer. Notto mention the unrest within the league.Yeah! What’s this league we’re in? <strong>The</strong> USSFDivision II? What happened to the USL?Long story, but during the offseason, mostof the USL-1 teams tried to defect and form anew league (with an old name): the NorthAmerican Soccer League. Others, includingthe Aztex, stayed loyal to the United SoccerLeagues. Lawsuits. Countersuits. <strong>The</strong> U.S.Soccer Federation stepped in to force everyoneto play nice – for one year. What’s next? Noone knows. What’s clear is that this currentlineup of teams is a legitimate and strongsecond-division soccer league. It will be ineveryone’s best interest if the bulk of theseteams stays together under whatever leadershipthey can all accept.Who are the top teams in the league?“<strong>The</strong> usual suspects,” says gaffer Heath,ticking them off on his fingers. “Montreal,Puerto Rico, Vancouver, Port land.” <strong>The</strong>y’ve gota bigger salary structure and more resources.And Portland, Ore., and Van couv er are preparingfor next year’s jump to MLS, and Montreal’sprobably not far behind.What do you expect from the Montreal Impact?This is the only time this season the home fanswill see the defending league champions.“<strong>The</strong>y’re one of the top teams in theleague,” Heath said. “<strong>The</strong>y havetwice the salary structure we do.But – you can put this in there – Ithink we’re going to beat them.”So who is this Adrian Heath fellow?In the UK, he’s a huge star. Hehad an 18-year career with StokeCity, Everton, and others. He’s in theEverton Hall of Fame and was recentlyhonored again by the team on areturn trip to Goodison Park. <strong>The</strong>Stoke connection with Aztex ownerPhil Rawlins is what brought himhere, and we’re lucky to have him.How’s our English sister team,Stoke City?Rawlins is part owner of StokeCity, and from the start, that relationshiphas been key to theAztex’s whole mission. And it’sgiven Aztex fans a rooting interestin the world’s biggest sportsleague. In the Aztex’s three yearsin existence, Stoke has qualifiedfor the Premiership for the firsttime, survived a relegation battleto stay up a second year, and atpress time is in the top half of thestandings in their sophomore season.Go Potters!Are Aztex games going to be onTV? Radio?All home games will be broadcastlive on 1300AM the Zone (inaddition, 101X will broadcast fromthe pregame gathering at the Tavern). <strong>The</strong>games will also be shown on the Lone StarTelevision Network, with a one-day delay – theMontreal game, for instance, will be broadcastMonday, April 11, 7pm. LSTV is available onGrande Communications.What’s the “open-ended” season ticket?I love the new flexible format: You get 15tickets for 15 home games, but each can beused at any regular season game. Miss a game?<strong>The</strong> ticket’s not wasted, and you don’t have toscramble to find a taker; just take a friend to afuture game.COURTESY OF AUSTIN AZTEXForwardEddie JohnsonAZTEX SEASON OPENERSunday, April 11, 6pm, House Park Hosting the reigning USL-1 champion, Montreal Impact Pregame fan gathering starting at 4:30pm at theTavern (12th & Lamar)Postgame get-together at Cuatro’s (1004 W. 24th)with staff and players in attendanceSee the full season schedule in Sports Listings, p.68.Where can you park near House Park?<strong>The</strong>re are two parking options at the stadium:A seasonlong parking pass ($50) puts youin the surface lot next to the stadium for all ofthe regular season, Open Cup, exhibition, andplayoff games. Or, game day parking is $5 atthe ACC multistory parking garage at 12thStreet & Shoal Creek.What about transit?Buses from all over town cross within a fewblocks of the stadium on the Guadalupe/Lavaca corridor; routes 3 and 9 come evencloser. On a personal note, I couldn’t be happierwith Route 338, Lamar/45th, which runswithin two blocks of both my house and the<strong>Chronicle</strong> office, goes right down Lamar, andstops conveniently across the street from theTavern, where I will likely be spending a gooddeal of time this season. See www.capmetro.org.What’s the atmosphere like? Are there supporters’groups?<strong>The</strong> most active supporters’ group is Chantico’sArmy (www.chanticosarmy.com); theywere the ones up in the corner of the standslast year with the drums and banners andnoisemakers. This year, with the stands muchcloser to the field, the Aztex have designatedthe area directly behind the visitors’ bench asthe noise zone. It’s a fun scene; if you wantto add your voice, drum, horn, or glockenspiel,you won’t have any trouble findingthem (earplugs optional).So are there songs I should learn before I go?<strong>The</strong>re are songs posted on the Chantico website.Study them; know them; be prepared.What’s this I heard about a real new stadium?Well, that’s an interesting story. Yes, it’svery much still a part of the Aztex’s plans forCONTINUED ON30 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E APRIL 9, 2010 a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o m
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