Most 10-year-old kids on a warm summer night are at the playground with their friends. They’re watching cartoons or playing video games in their basement. They’re usually not in locker rooms at professional soccer games interacting with the players. But then again, Evan Mundine isn’t like most 10-year-old kids.

In the fifth of five player interviews, meet defender Zack Pope, from Round Rock, Texas.

United Soccer Leagues announced the top PDL honors for the 2008 season Friday, honoring the All-League selections as voted on by the league’s coaches and general managers. This included Aztex U23 Head Coach Wolfgang Suhnholz as Coach of the Year, Beto Papandrea as Defender of the Year, and Miguel Gallardo as Goalkeeper of the Year.

FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas midfielder Jamie Watson has found that, indeed, you can go home again.

The Coppell, Texas native started the year with Real Salt Lake before being released. Then, he tried to catch on with FCD during preseason but that also didn’t work out . . . Watson made his way back to the Lone Star State to play for the Austin Aztex of the PDL. After a successful stint in the state capital, he was signed to a developmental deal by FCD last Friday and couldn’t be happier.

Read the whole story on MLSnet.com.

8/7/08

The Austin Aztex today announced they had signed their first pro player for the 2009 Season. Miguel Gallardo, PDL Goalkeeper of the Year and Southern Conference All-Star, signed a two year contract with the Aztex. Miguel has been the starting ’keeper for the Aztex U23 team for the past season, conceding only eight goals and leading the League with nine shutouts.

The Austin Aztex affiliate, Stoke City FC, which is set to play in the Barclay’s Premier League in the UK, is sending its U18 Academy for eight days of training in Austin prior to the start of the academy season. The Lonestar Soccer Club will be hosting the Stoke City Academy and several “friendlies” have been announced which should be of some interest to Aztex fans.

In the fourth of five player interviews, meet midfielder/forward Robin Martinez, from San Antonio, Texas.

Stoke City FC, the Austin Aztex's affiliated club in the English Premier League, is sending its top U18 Academy team to Austin this month for 7 days of training and exhibition games.

Austin Aztex Head Coach Adrian Heath, along with several players from the 2008 Aztex U23 team, have recorded a series of ’how-to’ soccer videos for the new LIVESTRONG.com website. The 22 short videos cover a wide range of soccer skills, ranging from basic to advanced.

The Lonestar Soccer Club and the Lance Armstrong Foundation are partnering again this year to raise funds for cancer survivorship and for children who cannot afford to play youth soccer. During the 24-hour soccer marathon, over 1600 children will learn about the effects of cancer and the benefits of wearing sunscreen, in addition to helping raise money for financial aid. Last year, this event raised nearly $91,000, half of which went to financial aid and the other half to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Don’t miss the final hour! From 3:00-4:00pm on Saturday 8/2, the 91B Red Team will scrimmage an Austin Aztex team that will include Head Coach Adrian Heath, 23 Assistant Coach Bobby Murphy and Player Liaison Manager Ron Dennie.

At noon today FC Dallas announced that they had signed Aztex forward Jamie Watson. Jamie had asked Aztex management permission to speak with FC Dallas after he completed a highly successful U23 season with the Austin club. During the past season, Watson played 13 games, scoring 7 goals and 3 assists.

Aztex President, Phil Rawlins, said “We are absolutely delighted for Jamie. He has a chance to play for his hometown team in the MLS, that’s great. Jamie proved to be a leader both on and off the field for us and I know he really enjoyed his time in Austin. This proves how helpful the USL PDL League can be for players like Jamie who are looking to refresh or further their playing careers. The Aztex Coaching staff wish Jamie the very best of luck with FC Dallas.”

8/1/08

In the third of five player interviews, meet forward Jamie Watson, from Dallas, Texas.

The Austin Aztex saw their season come to an end Saturday in the Southern Conference finals, as they dropped a 3-1 decision to the 2007 PDL Champion Laredo Heat. All three Heat goals came in the 2nd half as the Laredo squad played with a man advantage following A.J. Godbolt’s ejection in the 42nd minute with 2 yellow cards.

See also:

• full match report — continue this article
• USL match report
• official match information

Two teams from Texas will face one another for the championship of the Southern Conference in Orlando Saturday night, July 26 at 6:00 PM CDT. One team has been here before; the other wasn’t even in existence. The Laredo Heat, the 2007 champions of the PDL, will have the opportunity to repeat as winners of the Southern Conference, but this year they will have to defeat their new, intradivisional rivals, the Austin Aztex, to reach that goal.

In Friday’s rain-delayed opening game for the 2008 PDL Playoffs, the Aztex U23s prevailed 2-1 over the Bradenton Academics in a hard-fought match. However, the win wasn’t without cost, as All-Conference defender Beto Papandrea received two yellow cards, and will have to sit out tomorrow’s game against the Laredo Heat.

Austin Aztex FC held an awards celebration last Monday at Aztex sponsor Sherlock’s Pub. The event, sponsored by Vinaire, was attended by team staff, coaches and players, as well as volunteers and Founders Club members.

Updated Aug. 14 with additional pictures.