With USLPro expanding from 14 to, at least, 22 teams and two other franchises relocating and starting new identities, we figured we could kill some of the off-season boredom by letting you get to know the new competition. “Meet the New Teams” will run, roughly, every other week leading up to March 2015.
Name: Austin Aztex
City: Austin, Texas
Home Field: House Park
Previous Leagues (if any): USL PDL (2012-2014)
Supporter’s Group: Eberly’s Army
The Aztex we’ll see in 2015 (or not, based on how regional scheduling works out) are actually an Aztex 2.0 club. The team’s first iteration was started in 2008 and played in the USLPro’s precursor leagues until the club’s franchise rights were sold and the team was moved to Orlando and become everybody’s annoying yet successful neighbor, Orlando City SC. Thanks, Aztex.
The current Aztex club formed and began play in 2012 season of the USL PDL (U-23). In the three seasons since, they’ve claimed two division titles and won the entire league in 2013. Much like their Orlando City step-brothers, they’ve found success early and often. Great…
What we know about the 2015 professional version of the club is a bit unknown. They have decided to retain their PDL coach, Paul Dalglish, for the move to USLPro. Fans of European soccer will recognize the last name, as Paul’s father is Kenny Dalglish, famed footballer and manager, probably best associated now as Liverpool’s manager during a period when the club won three first division titles and twice lifted the FA Cup. I’m sure Paul loves being reminded of the shadow he coaches under and can’t escape, even in another hemisphere. Things to remember if the Aztex take a trip to Highmark next season…
On the social media front, the Aztex appear to be taking the anti-Riverhounds approach. While Pittsburgh’s timeline has been as empty as their trophy case over the past month, the Aztex retweet every lit bit of news from every other USLPro club, all the time. It’s a bit unbearable, but not the worst way to get their fan base to learn a new league and new opponents.
Speaking of a fan base, Eberly’s Army will be making the jump with the club. From a distance, it appears the club and group play well together, with some sort of joint announcement being prepared for November 17.
