Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008,[1] the team played in USL First Division, and in USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. In October 2010, the Aztex were relocated to Orlando, Florida[2] and became Orlando City after Orlando USL's rights were purchased by Phil Rawlins. The team was resurrected in 2011 by minority owner David Markley as the Austin Aztex,[3] which began play in the USL Premier Development League in 2012 and moved to United Soccer League in 2014.[4]
| Full name | Austin Aztex FC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Aztex, The RAW | ||
| Founded | 2008 | ||
| Dissolved | 2010 (moved to Orlando) | ||
| Stadium | House Park Austin, Texas | ||
| Capacity | 6,500 | ||
| Owner | Phil Rawlins | ||
| Head Coach | Adrian Heath | ||
| League | USSF Division 2 Professional League | ||
| 2010 | Regular season: 2nd, USL Overall: 2nd Playoffs: quarterfinals | ||
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The team played its home games at Nelson Field,[5] and House Park[6] in Austin. The team's colors were red and white. Their head coach was Englishman and former Everton midfielder Adrian Heath.[7]
History
editThe club was owned by English-born Austin businessman Phil Rawlins. Originally from the UK, Rawlins serves on the board of English Premier League club Stoke City. Austin and Stoke had a formal partnership which included sharing training information and players, with Austin acting as a potential player resource for Stoke.[8][9]
Immediately after announcing their intention to join USL1,[10] the Aztex purchased the 2008 USL PDL expansion side Austin Stampede and rebranded it as Austin Aztex U23.[1] Wolfgang Suhnholz was named coach of the U23 team, which commenced play in 2008.
On August 8, 2008, the Aztex announced the 2008 PDL Goalkeeper of the Year and former Austin Aztex U23 player, Miguel Gallardo, as their first professional signing for the 2009 season. Gallardo was signed with the team through 2011.[11]
The Aztex began their inaugural season as a professional team by playing 4 MLS teams in preseason exhibition matches. The first three games were held in Austin at Nelson Field while the fourth MLS match was in Rio Tinto Stadium on the MLS opening weekend. A fifth exhibition match was scheduled against the CONCACAF semi-finalist Puerto Rico Islanders[12] in between their home and away series against Cruz Azul.
On May 19, 2010, Austin played the Tampa Bay Rowdies in front of 6,051 fans, their largest home crowd in franchise history.[13]
On October 22, 2010, an article was published that indicated that the team was likely to move to Orlando, Florida, for the 2011 season.[14] This was confirmed on October 25,[2] as the team became Orlando City SC.
Players
editFinal roster
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Staff
editAdrian Heath – Head Coach[7]
Bobby Murphy – Assistant Coach
Year-by-year
edit| Year | Division | League | Regular season | Playoffs | Open Cup | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | USL First Division | 10th | Did not qualify | 3rd Round | 2,974 |
| 2010 | 2 | USSF D-2 Pro League | 2nd, USL (3rd) | Quarterfinals | 3rd Round | 3,733 |
Head coaches
edit
Stadiums
edit- Nelson Field; Austin, Texas (2009)[5]
- House Park; Austin, Texas (2010)[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Barbaro, Nick (January 23, 2008). "Hello, Aztex". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Barbaro, Nick (October 25, 2010). "Other Shoe Drops: Aztex Gone to Orlando". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Dinges, Gary (September 26, 2011). "New Austin Aztex soccer team debuts in 2012". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Barbaro, Nick (June 13, 2014). "Going Pro". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Barbaro, Nick (December 5, 2008). "Aztex Home for 2009: Nelson Field". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Barbaro, Nick (April 9, 2010). "Aztex Make House Park Home". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Aztex Announce Head Coach". SunHerald. February 21, 2008. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
- ^ "Stoke do deal with US franchise". bbc.co.uk. January 22, 2008. Archived from the original on January 28, 2008. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
- ^ "Aztex Affiliation | Stoke City | News | Latest News | Latest News". Archived from the original on January 24, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2008.
- ^ Barbaro, Nick (January 25, 2008). "Soccer Watch – Austin has a new professional soccer franchise, the Aztex". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "First Pro Signing for 2009 Roster". AustinAztex.com. August 7, 2008. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2008.
- ^ "Official Match Information". USLSoccer.com. USL Soccer. May 8, 2009. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ White, Colby M. "Aztex, Tampa Bay play to 3–3 tie". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on May 26, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2010.Aztex, Tampa Bay play to 3–3 tie
- ^ Quarstad, Brian. "Austin Aztex Likely to Announce Move to Orlando, Florida". Inside Minnesota Soccer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2010. Austin Aztex Likely to Announce Move to Orlando, Florida