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Austin Aztex

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Austin Aztex
Full nameAustin Aztex Football Club
Nickname(s)Aztex
Founded2011
Dissolved2017
OwnerRene van de Zande
David Markley
LeagueUnited Soccer League
Websitehttp://www.austinaztex.com/

The Austin Aztex were a soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2011 as a member of the Premier Development League, the team played the 2015 season in the United Soccer League, the third tier of the United States soccer pyramid. This was the second team to carry the name Austin Aztex; the first were founded in 2008 and relocated to Orlando in 2010.

The Aztex played their home games at the 6,500-seat House Park just west of the downtown Austin core, until that stadium was severely damaged by the 2015 Memorial Day floods; for the remainder of that season, they played at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.

On October 2, 2015, the Aztex announced that, due to the fact that neither House Park nor Kelly Reeves met league stadium standards, and to difficulty in procuring a stadium that meets those standards, the team would be on hiatus during the 2016 USL season. The Aztex planned to resume competition in 2018 after the stadium issue was resolved but will not return to the USL.[1] USL will return to Austin as Austin Bold FC begin play in 2019.[2]

History

Rebirth of the Aztex

The latest incarnation of the Austin Aztex was founded by David Markley, who was a minority owner of the original Aztex.[3] The previous team's majority owners moved the organization to Orlando, Florida at the end of the 2010 season and renamed the team Orlando City SC.

In September 2011, Markley announced plans to create a new Austin Aztex team which would compete in the Premier Development League beginning in the 2012 season.[4] The new Aztex played their first game on May 5, 2012 at Woodforest Bank Stadium, home of the Texas Dutch Lions, and defeated the hosts 4–0. The first Aztex goal was scored by midfielder Tony Rocha on a free kick in the 6th minute of play.[5] The Aztex's first home game was played on May 19, 2012 against the El Paso Patriots before a crowd of 2,507. The Aztex rose to the occasion with a 6–1 win, with Kris Tyrpak providing three of the Aztex's six goals.[6]

The first Austin Aztex home game, against the El Paso Patriots on May 19, 2012. The downtown Austin skyline and the Texas capitol dome are visible in the background.

The reborn Aztex finished their first season with 9 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws.[7] They won their first playoff game against the Ocala Stampede but fell to Orlando City U-23's in the Southern Conference final.[8]

In preparation for the move to USL Pro, the Aztex introduced a new logo and affiliated with the Columbus Crew SC, an MLS club which had also recently undergone a logo change.

Colors and badge

The Aztex kits were dark blue with gold numbers and gold trim. Their alternate kits were white with gold trim and numbering. Kits were provided by Admiral Sportswear. Emergo Group, an international regulatory consulting firm headquartered in Austin, served as the team's jersey sponsor from 2012 through 2014.[9]

The Aztex badge was blue and gold with a Texas lone star, a soccer ball, and the word "AzTeX" with an enlarged A, T, and X. "ATX" is shorthand for Austin, Texas.

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs Open Cup Average Attendance
2012 4 USL PDL 2nd, Mid-South Conference Finals Did not qualify 1,269
2013 4 USL PDL 1st, Mid-South Champions 2R 1,438
2014 4 USL PDL 1st, Mid-South Conference Finals 2R 1,828
2015 3 USL 9th, Western Did not qualify 4R 3,226
2016 On Hiatus
2017 Dissolved

Honors

USL PDL

  • USL PDL Champions: 2013
  • Southern Conference Champions: 2013
  • Mid-South Division Champions: 2013, 2014

Head Coaches

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/10/02/usls-austin-aztex-set-go-dark-2016-return-2017-following-stadium-issues. Retrieved February 2, 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/939198. Retrieved August 4, 2018. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "All Ablog Austin". www.statesman.com. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  5. ^ "Austin Aztex in Control: Begin Season with Decisive 4–0 Victory – Austin Aztex". Austinaztex.com. 2012-05-06. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  6. ^ "Homecoming: Aztex Rout El Paso Patriots in 6–1 Win – Austin Aztex". Austinaztex.com. 2012-05-19. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  7. ^ "2012 PDL Schedule – Austin Aztex". Austinaztex.com. 2013-08-04. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  8. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Pdl.uslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  9. ^ "Emergo Group Becomes Top Partner and Jersey Sponsor – Austin Aztex". Austinaztex.com. 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2013-09-08.