Manneh’s Stock Continues to Climb

Austin soccer fans who followed the 2012 Aztex saw first-hand what a talented player Kekuta Manneh was, and how he grew under coach and father-figure Paul Dalglish. The following year saw him drafted by MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps, where his growth has continued without slowing. The past few weeks have seen the young goal-scorer in headlines across the Internet; here are a few highlights of what the former Aztex striker is up to.

… Read the rest “Manneh’s Stock Continues to Climb”

FC Austin Elite Brings Women’s Soccer to Austin

We’ve written before that even without an Aztex season, 2016 has a lot to offer soccer fans in Central Texas. Now, in addition to those games around Texas and around the world, there is another team starting up right here in Austin: FC Austin Elite, of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). We spoke with General Manager Danny Woodfill to get all the details.

Last year this team was known as the Austin Aces (not to be confused with … Read the rest “FC Austin Elite Brings Women’s Soccer to Austin”

Rally with the AO Family

Violet Crown Soccer recently had the opportunity to discuss this weekend’s AO Rally with Austin-based Dan Wiersema, Director of Communications for the American Outlaws. With over 32,000 current members nationwide, more than 125 of AO’s most passionate members and leaders are expected to descend on Austin for the event. This year’s rally, an AO member exclusive, is designed to energize and bring people together from across the country to continue to grow support for both the women’s and men’s national … Read the rest “Rally with the AO Family”

Still Nothing Concrete in Stadium Search

The Austin American-Statesman published a story yesterday with news of progress – or lack thereof – in the Austin soccer stadium search: Aztex still seeking a place to call home.

Seven months after the franchise announced it was shutting down for a year, the Austin Aztex still need to find a stadium solution before they possibly return to the United Soccer League in 2017.

Owner Rene van de Zande said Aztex management is exploring three or four undisclosed options

… Read the rest “Still Nothing Concrete in Stadium Search”

Road Report: San Antonio FC Home Opener

San Antonio FC kicked off their USL home campaign Saturday night with a record-setting crowd. The home team got off to a slow start as Swope Park Rangers took the early lead when a loose ball found the SAFC net in the 2nd minute.

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Both clubs are expansion sides for the 2016 USL regular season, but have had hot starts in league play. Throughout the first half, SAFC controlled possession and equalized in the 42nd minute.The second half was a … Read the rest “Road Report: San Antonio FC Home Opener”

Road Report: USWNT Olympic Qualifier in Dallas

On Saturday Chris G. road-tripped to Frisco to watch the U.S. Women’s National Team play Mexico in the second of three group games in the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.

The last time I made the trip up I-35 to Dallas for a soccer game was the FC Dallas – Portland Timbers playoff game last November, and my experience this weekend could hardly have been more different. In November I was late, in terrible weather, and stuck in ridiculous … Read the rest “Road Report: USWNT Olympic Qualifier in Dallas”

Farewell to Futbol en Vivo

Futbol En Vivo was a bilingual radio program that aired every Tuesday from 1-2pm on 91.7 FM KOOP Radio in Austin, Texas. Work and family commitments of the hosts recently prompted them to halt the weekly show after nearly seven years on the air.

The program started in mid-2009 with Chilean David Alvarez and Mexican Jose de Loera as hosts. De Loera, current proprietor of Takoba, was unable to continue as host due to his Takoba obligations, so Alvarez, … Read the rest “Farewell to Futbol en Vivo”

USL, A Growing Problem?

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The United Soccer League continues to experience phenomenal growth as they prepare to begin the 2016 season. The league boasts the addition of six new clubs to the North American landscape, bringing their total to 29, with an additional club (Reno) already slated to join in 2017.

Four of the six additions are directly associated with MLS clubs; some with unique names (Sporting Kansas City’s Swope Park Rangers, Houston Dynamo’s Rio Grande Valley FC, and Philadelphia Union’s Bethlehem Steel FC), … Read the rest “USL, A Growing Problem?”

The USL Show: “Austin was managed terribly”

The USL Show podcast

The first episode of the new USL Show podcast (not officially related to the league) was released this week. The discussion centers around the current state and possible future of USL, especially relative to MLS. There’s also a lot of discussion of what has happened in Rochester, where the league has taken over management of the 2015 champion Rhinos. In the course of that talk (at about the 1-hour, 12-minute point), panelist Brendan Doherty discloses information from unnamed sources … Read the rest “The USL Show: “Austin was managed terribly””

2016: The Year Ahead for Austin Soccer Fans

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The Aztex hiatus means that we won’t be able to attend professional games in Austin this year, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for soccer fans in central Texas to do. In fact, with a little travel and/or a TV, there’s a lot of footie in store for 2016.

Foreign Leagues: EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc.

now through mid-May, resuming in August

You may well already be a fan of one of a team or two in the big foreign … Read the rest “2016: The Year Ahead for Austin Soccer Fans”