Why COTA Can Work

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USL Austin 2019

[Editor’s note: it’s been a while since we’ve had much going on here on the Violet Crown Soccer Network. With confirmed news of a real-life pro team returning (eventually), we’re coming out of hibernation. First up: the following post by Lee Nichols, a rabid Austin soccer fan and former Aztex season ticket holder. If you’re interested in contributing, let us know!

By now, every soccer fan in Austin has surely seen the announcement that the United Soccer League (USL) … Read the rest “Why COTA Can Work”

Four Texas Venues Named for 2017 Gold Cup

CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF recently announced the dates and venues for the 2017 Gold Cup, and fans in Texas will have a variety of venues to pick from. Which teams teams will play where is not yet known, but venues include both MLS teams’ home fields (FC Dallas’ Toyota Stadium and Houston Dynamo’s BBVA Compass Stadium), the Alamodome in San Antonio, and AT&T Stadium (aka Cowboy Stadium, or Jerry World) in Arlington.

To date, seven national teams from the ultimate field of … Read the rest “Four Texas Venues Named for 2017 Gold Cup”

MLS Austin Market Survey

MLS

If you’re a regular reader of this site, you probably already received or heard about this: an organization called Barrett Sports Group has been retained by MLS to conduct a survey to evaluate potential support for major league soccer in Austin. It’s unclear where exactly they got the mailing list, or who is behind this effort, but hey, it’s more action than we’ve seen since the Aztex left the field last year.

If you haven’t filled it out yet, here’s … Read the rest “MLS Austin Market Survey”

Statesman: Aztex Return Unlikely in 2017

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Word came out first from Scratching the Pitch, after seeing information from the USL ahead of their annual summer meetings:

Though not explicitly stated, the proposal is a harbinger of another dormant season for the Austin Aztex, which suspended operations in 2016 to get its house in order. Thirty teams is one more than currently compete in the league. The much-hyped inclusion of Reno in the 2017 schedule would achieve the total of 30 teams, and would leave no

… Read the rest “Statesman: Aztex Return Unlikely in 2017”

Foundation to Hold Inaugural Austin Soccer Awards Banquet

Following is the press release from the Austin Soccer Foundation for Thursday’s awards banquet.

AUSTIN, Texas (July 8, 2016): The Austin Soccer Foundation (ASF) today announced that it will host the inaugural Austin Soccer Awards Banquet on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 6:30 pm at the South Congress Hotel. The banquet will include recognition of ASF’s 2015 Scholarship Award Winners, Austin-area High School Players of the Year and the presentation of a special lifetime achievement award.

The banquet’s keynote speaker … Read the rest “Foundation to Hold Inaugural Austin Soccer Awards Banquet”

Road Report: Hudson River Derby

Last week Chris G. visited New York City with his family, and managed to squeeze a soccer game in, in between visiting museums and monuments.

Taking the better part of a day out of our NYC sightseeing trip to travel to the Bronx for an MLS game was partly due to my own soccer fandom, sure. But it was also due to my wife’s growing interest in the sport, especially as played by the handsome megastars who happen to be … Read the rest “Road Report: Hudson River Derby”

Road Report: Copa America Semifinal

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Tuesday evening we were fortunate enough to make the road trip from Austin to Houston and witness the USMNT take on the greatness that is Messi and his Argentina squad. The winner of the match would be headed to the Copa America Final and many of the red, white, and blue supporters had hope.

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NRG Stadium was sold out prior to game day. The crowd of 70,858 was greeted by a tremendous amount of pregame festivities, including tailgates and a … Read the rest “Road Report: Copa America Semifinal”

Can Dempsey Lead the Yanks Past Argentina?

Today marks the most significant soccer matchup on Texas soil since the World Cup Quarterfinal between Netherlands and Brazil was played in the Cotton Bowl in July, 1994. The US men have earned their way into one of the most highly anticipated games of the historic Copa America Centenario, facing the top-ranked team in the world: Argentina. The winner punches their way to the final and a guaranteed top-two finish.

By virtue of defeating Ecuador in the quarterfinals and winning … Read the rest “Can Dempsey Lead the Yanks Past Argentina?”

Road Report: Copa America

We made our way to Houston on Saturday to attend the final Group A match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario between Colombia and Costa Rica. We arrived early enough and found one of the thousands of televisions at NRG Stadium to nervously watch the tight finish pulled off by the USMNT.

When we decided to travel to Houston it was not just for a soccer match, there was also the experience of watching two foreign countries’ supporters compete on … Read the rest “Road Report: Copa America”

A New Soccer Foundation Brand

This week details have begun to emerge that the Aztex Soccer Foundation is undergoing a makeover and branding themselves as the Austin Soccer Foundation. In a post to Eberly’s Army members, foundation president Ed Easton details some of the motives behind the change, and announces an upcoming event, scheduled for July.

EA Friends —

I know that many of the folks on this page participated in events or bought jerseys last year that benefited the newly-created Aztex Soccer Foundation. Thank … Read the rest “A New Soccer Foundation Brand”