 | |||
| Full name | Austin Aztex Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Aztex | ||
| Founded | 2011 | ||
| Dissolved | 2017 | ||
| Owner | Rene van de Zande David Markley | ||
| League | Premier Development League | ||
TheAustin Aztex were asoccer team based inAustin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2011 as a member of thePremier Development League, the team played the 2015 season in theUnited Soccer League, the second tier of theUnited States soccer pyramid. This was the second team to carry the name Austin Aztex;the first were founded in 2008 and relocated toOrlando in 2010, with that ownership group eventually being awarded anMLS franchise of the same name in that city.
The 'new' Aztex played their home games at the 6,500-seatHouse Park just west of the downtown Austin core, until that stadium was severely damaged by the2015 Memorial Day floods; for the remainder of that season, they played at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.
On October 2, 2015, the Aztex announced that because neither House Park nor Kelly Reeves met league stadium standards, and due to difficulty in procuring a stadium that met those standards, the team would be on hiatus during the 2016 USL season. The Aztex planned to resume competition in 2018 after the stadium issue was resolved but in the event, did not return to the USL.[1]
USL Championship soccer returned to Austin with the newly formedAustin Bold FC beginning play in 2019 at their own stadium at theCircuit of the Americas. A Major League Soccer franchise was awarded toPrecourt Sports Ventures, former owners ofColumbus Crew SC, to begin play in 2021 asAustin FC.[2]
The latest incarnation of the Austin Aztex was founded by David Markley, who was a minority owner of theoriginal Aztex.[3] The previous team's majority owners moved the organization toOrlando, Florida at the end of the2010 season and renamed the teamOrlando City SC.
In September 2011, Markley announced plans to create a new Austin Aztex team which would compete in thePremier Development League beginning in the2012 season.[4] The new Aztex played their first game on May 5, 2012 atWoodforest Bank Stadium, home of theTexas Dutch Lions, and defeated the hosts 4–0. The first Aztex goal was scored by midfielderTony Rocha on a free kick in the 6th minute of play.[5] The Aztex's first home game was played on May 19, 2012 against theEl Paso Patriots before a crowd of 2,507. The Aztex rose to the occasion with a 6–1 win, withKris Tyrpak providing three of the Aztex's six goals.[6]
The reborn Aztex finished their first season with 9 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws.[7] They won their first playoff game against theOcala Stampede but fell toOrlando City U-23's in the Southern Conference final.[8]
In preparation for the move toUSL Pro, the Aztex introduced a new logo and affiliated with theColumbus Crew SC, anMLS club which had also recently undergone a logo change.
The Aztex kits were dark blue with gold numbers and gold trim. Their alternate kits were white with gold trim and numbering. Kits were provided byAdmiral Sportswear. Emergo Group, an international regulatory consulting firm headquartered in Austin, served as the team's jersey sponsor from 2012 through 2014.[9]
The Aztex badge was blue and gold with aTexas lone star, asoccer ball, and the word "AzTeX" with an enlarged A, T, and X. "ATX" is shorthand for Austin, Texas.
| Year | Division | League | Regular season | Playoffs | Open Cup | Average Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Mid-South | Conference Finals | did not qualify | 1,269 |
| 2013 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Mid-South | Champions | 2nd Round | 1,438 |
| 2014 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Mid-South | Conference Finals | 2nd Round | 1,828 |
| 2015 | 3 | USL | 9th, Western | did not qualify | 4th Round | 3,226 |
| 2016 | On Hiatus | |||||
| 2017 | Dissolved | |||||
Paul Dalglish (2012–2014)
Manuel Buentello (2014)Paul Dalglish (2014–2015)| Men's |
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