The Austin Aztex are back! Redesigned, rebuilt, and relaunched! Though it’s just PDL this year (i.e., amateur, not technically pro), but the owner is absolutely determined to keep the team here in Austin, which is of course many fans’ top requirement for a new Aztex.
The 2012 season is already underway, with the new team sitting at the top of the (admittedly uneven) standings, with six points from three road games.
The home opener against the El Paso Patriots is this Saturday, May 19, 7:30 at House Park. Like all true soccer fans in Austin, I could not be more excited.
Where has The Aztexan been all this time? Mainly just keeping plenty busy elsewhere: helping out with Eberly’s Army, helping set up online stuff for the Aztex, running FC Shirts United (though that recently came to an end), etc.
One other thing I was doing, without really realizing it: waiting to see if I wanted to start writing The Aztexan again. As you might guess from the fact that I didn’t cover any of the team’s formation, preparation, tryouts, signings, or initial games — I’m afraid that answer, for the time being at least, is “no.”
But I also think that’s totally fine.
For one, there will be no shortage of Aztex coverage. In addition to the Eberly’s Army site, Aztex fans should definitely check out soccerATX.com. Writers Stephen and Anthony have great access to the team and have been doing excellent work.
Meanwhile, Dan and Eric over at Free Beer Movement (Austinites both) have been covering the reemergence of the team as well, in their Austin Aztex Project.
Secondly, for my part, I get to be a little more selfish, and just sit back and enjoy games a little more. I hardly had any kind of grueling publication schedule, but I did pride myself on pre- and post-match coverage for every game. Like running a blog in general, that kind of schedule is a heck of a lot easier to start than it is to keep up with week in and week out. So instead of being the vacationer that’s so bent on capturing every sight on film that he doesn’t really enjoy the trip, I’m going to relax just a bit and just attend the games.
See you at House Park!
P.S. As of a day or two ago I started a little Tumblr blog, dubbed An Absolute Cracker. I thought I’d try it out as a quick & easy place to spout off about soccer stuff. It may be about the Aztex occasionally, but probably not often. It will just be opinion, links, etc., with no attempts at balance or amateur journalism. Not sure if I’ll stick with it, but you’re welcome to drop by.
