You couldn’t score in a Texas…

By: Bob Kellett | July 7th, 2009

August 23, 2003. You remember that historic date, right? That was the last time the Portland Timbers played a soccer match in the Republic of Texas. The Timbers lost to the El Paso Patriots 3-1 in a game played in front of 1,735. No surprise that a team drawing 1,735 for a professional soccer match is a team not long for this world. El Paso went el foldo (and by el foldo I mean they dropped down to PDL obscurity) and we never had to witness their ~~theatrics~~ tactics again.

On Saturday the Timbers return to Texas. This time they will square off against the Austin Aztex, an expansion club that hopes that it will avoid El Paso’s fate. So far, so-so. They are averaging 3,019 per game, a figure that is pretty solid for a first year USL-1 club and a number that places them ahead of Minnesota, Miami and Cleveland in the attendance table.

On the pitch, the Aztex (3-7-6, 15pts) are in the same position — fourth from the bottom, above Vancouver, Cleveland, and Minnesota. About those three wins — two came against Cleveland (a feat the Timbers have yet to accomplish) and one came at Puerto Rico’s expense. The Aztex enter Saturday’s match fresh off a 4-1 drubbing at home against Rochester. They have yet to play a nil-nil game this year. They’re also tied with Cleveland for most goals allowed.

The most intriguing player on the club might just be Eddie Johnson — unrelated to the nine million other athletes that go by the same name. He grew up playing in Manchester United and Crewe Alexandra’s youth systems, spent time with Royal Antwerp, Conventry City, Crewe Alexandra, Bradford City and Chester City. He made his way to Austin thanks to his old Coventry City boss Adrian Heath, who is running the show in Texas. Johnson has acquitted himself nicely with 4 goals and a league-high 36 shots in 14 games (a feat facilitated by games against that pitiful Cleveland side).

This is another opportunity for the Timbers to pick up three points on the road, something that has not been their strong suit in an otherwise stellar half of a season. The Timbers are 1-1-5 on the road. They enter Saturday’s game coming off a brutal 1-1 draw at Minnesota. It was brutal in the sense of squandered points. A Minnesota goal in the closing seconds of an extra long extra time took away a pair of points that could very well be needed later in the season in the battle for the top of the table. It is the second road match this season – remember that draw against Cleveland? – where the Timbers gave away points. That is something that cannot happen against Austin, a side that has lost three times at home this season.

Too early to care about this game? Probably. I’m out of action most of this week so figured I’d earn my salary early. I hope to tune in on Saturday and file a report that you will never, ever forget.