Wednesday, May 15, 2013 :: Many folks have asked how they can get the words to the chants and songs that we sing during matches. You asked, and we have listened. You can check out the chant sheets that we distribute during the matches (free of charge to anyone who wants them) by clicking here. We try to keep to a core set of chants and songs, as it's best to bring familiarity to the songs versus constant variety. So check out the songs (and this is by no means all the songs), and practice before the match. Once it's match day, everyone needs to bring their "game voices"!!!
Thanks to all the members of the Army who helped in updating these chants!!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 :: What a night we had as fans of the Austin Aztex . For the first time this season we gathered together to cheer on the blue & gold in their 1st round match in the US Open Cup. It was really great to see so many turn out for a game on a week day and to be at the pregame gathering atThe Tavern. Let’s hope this is a sign of future turn-outs for the rest of the season.
Eberly's Army was in full force cheering the team on. We had a few new members with us last night which was nice to see. Hopefully as the season progresses we will add more to our ranks.
The game itself was very much what US Open Cup is all about, a lower team taking on a higher one. The Aztex went into the game not knowing much about the Rayados.The team from Dallas are not a team that had come up on the Aztex radar. The Aztex looked a lot better in this match then on Saturday's in Oklahoma. This is good as this means they are starting to know more about each other and the style of play that head coach Paul Dalglish wants them to play.
The Aztex opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a goal from Andres Cuero. Unfortunately, in the 24th minute Aaron Guillen (D) was sent off for what the ref saw as a straight red card offence. It was not until the 32nd minute that the second goal came, an own goal from the Rayados’ Clifford Spence. I would have to say that the ref was a bit card happy but, it was not the Aztex players that were in her sights.
In the second half, the Aztex were the team in control and with some good chances to score but, we had to wait until the 85th minute to see the third and final goal of the night scored by Tony Rocha.
The Aztex now move on to the second round where they take on the Wilmington Hammerheads, a USL PRO team, on Tuesday May 21st at 7.30pm at House Park.
Finally, I would like to thank James Hope and members of the Crocketteers for coming out and supporting the Austin Aztex.
A bilingual soccer program with a first half hour in Spanish and the second one in English. A program with news and events related to the sport around Austin, Texas, the USA, and the world. [English half of the show; broadcast on Austin's KOOP 91.7 FM, May 14, 2013.]
Monday, May 13, 2013 :: On May 11th, 2013, a small band of Eberly's Army members set out to OKlahoma City to watch the Austin Aztex take on Oklahoma City FC in the season opener for both squads. In the car were Paul Hart, Abner Torres, James Morgan, Josh Kruncke and Anthony Mannino (Austin Soccer Insider). We left Austin at 11am on Saturday on what was a very nice day. We spent those six hours talking all things Aztex and about other soccer stuff and what the score was going to be that night. This ranged from 6-0 from James, 2-1 from Josh, 2-0 from Abner and 3-0 from myself.
We arrived in Oklahoma City at 6pm which was good for us because we got a little lost trying to find the grounds but, after some good work from James and Anthony we did make it to the grounds by 6.30pm. The OKC grounds (Stars Field) were a nice little set up with bleachers on one side and one behind the goal. The tickets ranged from $10 - $30 bucks.
We decided that we would set up behind the goal. A little bit of Texas right in the heart of the OKC fans. By kick off time, which was 7:30pm, the grounds had filled up nicely (USL reported the attendance as 1400 on the night). So here we were, surrounded on all sides by OKC fans. The songs started to be sung first by us then by OKC fans and this how it went the whole of the game and it was done in good fun.
The first 45 mins for the Aztex were not good at all. We seemed to be second best in getting the ball and OKC where a very physical side. So by half time our time where 1-0 down and I have to say we where a bit down to but still hopeful that the Aztex could pull it back in the second half.
The second half started and the team did seem to be a bit better. It was still hard going for them but at least the game was being played more in the OKC half. I would say that OKC are going to be a hard team to beat this season. It was getting late into the second half now and there had been a few subs come on. Then our captain and good friend Zack Pope went down and stayed down for some time. He did get back up but it was clear he could not carry on. Now I am not sure if what happen to Zack fired up the team but something happen as they seem to play with more fire in their bellies.
Then it happen a Aztex goal by Tony Rocha. So now it was game on. We the fans, were re-energized as well. Then it happened again. Boom! The Austin Aztex scored again this time is was T. Hume and that sent as crazy. This quieted the OKC fans and now our voices where being heard more and more. The last few mins of the game where hard waiting for the ref to blow for time but, the Aztex came away with the win and the first three points of the season.
So you can imagine what the trip back home to Texas was like. We were all on cloud nine and still not sure how the team came away with those three points but, they did. What also made it better, was that this result and the other ones from this night meant that the Austin Aztex are top of the league.
You can find a number of write ups on Saturday night's match from various sources. In addition to the view from Eberly's Army, you can also find reports from the following...
Thursday, May 9, 2013 :: Greetings faithful members of Eberly’s Army and the extended Austin Aztex family.As some of you may have heard, there is an awful lot going on with the Aztex in the buildup to our season.In recent days, the news on our US Open Cup appearance in the Centennial version of the tournament, has keep many busy.As announced by the Aztex, the gold and blue will face the NTX Rayados (Dallas) of the United States Adult Soccer Association.The Rayados, of whom little is known, had an 8-2-0 record in 2012 both in league and US Open play.The best article for our readers to refer to on this team comes from TheCup.us itself, in a thorough article written by Jon Sicotte.Additionally, you can read the match report from the 2012 US Open Cup match between the El Paso Patriots and the Rayados, a game that our Mid South brethren won 3-1.
With the scheduling of the match on Tuesday, May 14th, this US Open Cup game will become the first home game of the Aztex 2013 PDL & US Open Cup campaign. The Aztex will have a quick turn around going into the Cup match, as they will have a roadtrip just 3 days before on Saturday as they take on expansion side Oklahoma City FC in OKC.
Many folks have asked what happens if the gold and blue win in the first round of this, the Centennial year of the US Open Cup. Recently, TheCup.us shared some possibilities for round 2, including who the Aztex would face if they beat the Rayados on the 14th (although we strongly discourage anyone from looking to far ahead of the first round). At this point, if the Aztex win on the 14th, they will play the USL Pro side, Wilmington Hammerheads, in Austin on May 21st. If this happens, it means several things:
The Aztex will be faced with 5 matches in 14 seven days (OKC, NTX Rayados, Houston Dutch Lions, Wilmington Hammerheads and the Laredo Heat). An intense test for the Aztex so early in the season.
If we do make it to the 2nd round, and if our foe is truly the Hammerheads, it means that we'll be able to see Austin Aztex Alum Gareth Evans (who has played for the Aztex for the last few seasons) again in the ATX. Evans, who hails from Wales, played for the Aztex during the 2009 season making 23 appearances.
As usual, Eberly's Army will meet at The Tavern at 5:30 p.m. before every match. From The Tavern, we will then march to the stadium about 7:00 p.m., returning to celebrate our victories!! Be sure to get on down to House Park to help us cheer on our Aztex, and spread the message of The Free Beer Movement, and bring a friend soccer!
Tuesday, April 29, 2013 :: Eberly's Army gathered at our 2013 Match Day Pub, The Tavern, on Sunday for our 5 Annual General Meeting. The focus of this meeting was a little less dramatic than what we've seen in past years when we had to re-brand, re-organize and re-focus our attention. This year, the focus was on the report from the Executive Committee members, as well as the election for President, Vice President and Treasurer. For a look at the information that was shared, you can download a copy of our presentation here.
First off, Matthew Gray (President of Eberly's Army) welcomed all our members, as well as those members who joined since our last AGM in 2012. As Matthew went through the year in review, he mentioned a number of exciting moments including the return to the field of the Austin Aztex, as well as our work with other soccer teams in the area (UT, St. Edward's, San Antonio Scorpions, etc.). The mission of the Army is to support live soccer in Austin, and we definitely did our part to accomplish this.
Following this update, Stacey Morris (Treasurer) did her report on the financial health of the group. The bad news is that the Army still has greater debts than income, however, we have purchased stock for members ahead of their joining. This means as we bring new members to the group, we won't have additional expenses to bring them in. This means a real focus for the Army for 2013 is for our membership to bring in new members!!
Next came Laura Buford (Vice President) who presented our membership update. Although we have 109 members, only 26 are dues paying members (the remaining are Basic memberships which do not have a fee). Laura reiterated what Matt and Stacey had already mentioned, which was the challenge for every member of the Army to bring in at least 1 new member by the end of the season! In fact, Laura challenged the membership to bring 2 members to the Army by the end of the season.
After the reports from the ExCo, it was time to vote for new officers. Below are the names of your 2013 Executive Committee!!
Name
Position
Paul Hart
President
Laura Buford
Vice President
Will Genrich
Treasurer
Following the election of the ExCo officers, several guests presented upcoming items of interest for Army members. First, Dan Wiersama (Founder of Free Beer Movement) discussed several opportunities this summer, including a Kicking and Screening event that is coming to Austin, as well as the "Good Beer, Good Event" fundraiser at Hops & Grain brewery. After that, Anthony Mannino discussed his new publication, "Austin Soccer Insider" which is an independent site for news regarding the Austin Aztex that you won't find anywhere else. Although the site is free today, as of May 1st, it will become subscription only.
A bilingual soccer program with a first half hour in Spanish and the second one in English. A program with news and events related to the sport around Austin, Texas, the USA, and the world. [English half of the show; broadcast on Austin's KOOP 91.7 FM, Apr. 30, 2013.]
A bilingual soccer program with a first half hour in Spanish and the second one in English. A program with news and events related to the sport around Austin, Texas, the USA, and the world. [English half of the show; broadcast on Austin's KOOP 91.7 FM, Apr. 23, 2013.]
A bilingual soccer program with a first half hour in Spanish and the second one in English. A program with news and events related to the sport around Austin, Texas, the USA, and the world. [English half of the show; broadcast on Austin's KOOP 91.7 FM, Apr. 16, 2013.]
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 :: Eberly's Army is proud to announce The Tavern as our Match Day Pub for 2013!!! Following membership voting in January, where the finalists were selected (in addition to The Tavern, finalists include Cuatro's, Baker Street Pub and Big Daddy's), about a dozen members of Eberly's Army conducted a pub crawl on Sunday, April 7. The purpose of the pub crawl was to evaluate each of the pubs as a potential home for the Army. Although the other pubs have a well known history of supporting soccer in Austin, The Tavern paired this great service and support with a proximity to House Park that was difficult to ignore. You can find a full write up on the pub crawl here. Upon notification of the The Tavern General Manager of our decision, Todd (who works behind the bar, and is himself an Aztex season ticket holder) immediately hung an Eberly's Army scarf right next to other scarves on the second floor (an area informally referred to already as "The Barracks".
Many thanks to Larissa (General Manager), Jessica (Event Coordinator) and Todd for their hospitality. As an additional bonus, The Tavern will be hosting the Army on April 28th during our Annual General Meeting, which begins at 2:00 p.m. For more information, check out our email notice about the AGM.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 :: Many folks have asked how they can get the words to the chants and songs that we sing during matches. You asked, and we have listened. You can check out the chant sheets that we distribute during the matches (free of charge to anyone who wants them) by 
The second half started and the team did seem to be a bit better. It was still hard going for them but at least the game was being played more in the OKC half. I would say that OKC are going to be a hard team to beat this season. It was getting late into the second half now and there had been a few subs come on. Then our captain and good friend Zack Pope went down and stayed down for some time. He did get back up but it was clear he could not carry on. Now I am not sure if what happen to Zack fired up the team but something happen as they seem to play with more fire in their bellies. 
Tuesday, April 29, 2013 :: Eberly's Army gathered at our 2013 Match Day Pub, The Tavern, on Sunday for our 5 Annual General Meeting. The focus of this meeting was a little less dramatic than what we've seen in past years when we had to re-brand, re-organize and re-focus our attention. This year, the focus was on the report from the Executive Committee members, as well as the election for President, Vice President and Treasurer. For a look at the information that was shared, you can download a copy of our presentation 
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 :: Eberly's Army is proud to announce 
