The 2015 MLS preseason has been going strong for over two weeks already, but on Friday we will see its first tournament kick off.
This one is a new event, one that is taking place in Austin between three MLS teams and USL newcomers the Austin Aztex.
The inaugural ATX Pro Challenge starts on Friday night at 6:45 pm ET when Columbus Crew SC will play FC Dallas. That game will be followed by the Aztex facing D.C. United at 9 pm ET. The two winners will then play on Sunday afternoon in a game that will follow a consolation match between Friday's losers. Here is the full schedule (the below times reflect Central Time):
Time Warner Cable SportsChannel in Texas (Ch. 323) will broadcast all four games with Dwight Burgess, the voice of Crew SC, and Kit McConnico, the voice of the Austin Aztex, calling all the action. If you do not live in Texas you will be able to watch the stadium feed of the tournament live online on the Austin Aztex YouTube channel.
If you would like to attend the event you can purchase tickets online at TexasSports.com or through Texas Box Office. Also, you can purchase tickets at the Customer Service desk of participating H-E-B locaitons. The games will be taking place at Myers Stadium, home to the Texas women’s soccer team and the Longhorns track and field squad.
This marks the first time multiple MLS teams will be in Austin but the Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, and Crew SC have all played in the state capitol before.
The Aztex are Crew SC’s affiliate in USL for the 2015 season. The agreement allows the Black & Gold to loan out up to four players to the Aztex.
THE TEAMS
Club |
Synopsis |
<img alt=" " src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/Aztex.png" style="height: 50px; width: 37px;"> |
<p>The Aztex are entering their first season in USL with former Houston Dynamo player Paul Dalglish installed as head coach. The team played in the USL PDL from 2012 to 2014. Orlando City SC started out as the Austin Aztex in 2008 before moving to Orlando for the 2011 season. The team features former MLS midfielders in Brendan King and Lance Rozeboom.</p> |
<img alt=" " src="http://www.thecrew.com/sites/columbus/files/Columbus%20Crew%20Soccer%20Club%202015%20Badge.jpg" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;"> |
<p>Crew SC enter the 2015 season after making the playoffs for the first time since 2011 in 2014. This offseason they added former Sporting Kansas City standout <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kei-kamara" target="_blank">Kei Kamara</a>, Icelandic international <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kristinn-steindorsson" target="_blank">Kristinn Steindorsson</a>, and MLS veteran <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/chris-klute" target="_blank">Chris Klute</a>. Homegrown star Wil Trapp made made his international debut for the USMNT in the team’s 3-2 loss at Chile last month.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/dc_150.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"> |
<p>Ben Olsen’s team is coming off a 2014 season that saw them go from worst-to-first in the Eastern Conference and advance to the knockout phase of the CONCACAF Champions League. The team has already played three preseason matches, winning one and drawing two, and they are ramping up to their CCL match against Alajuelense on February 26 in Costa Rica.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1903_200x200.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"> |
After two down seasons, FC Dallas brought Oscar Pareja back into the fold in 2014 and the Colombian head coach led the team to the No. 4 playoff seed in the West. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/fabian-castillo" target="_blank">Fabian Castillo</a> broke out with 10 goals and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-hedges" target="_blank">Matt Hedges</a>’ great performances earned him a USMNT callup. The team enters 2015 with their core intact and a healthy <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/mauro-diaz" target="_blank">Mauro Diaz</a>. |
