Jason Kreis and RSL are the most frustrating duo in MLS. Former listeners to the American Soccer Show on CSRN will know that I have a soft spot for the club, not because of any geographic tie, but because of the presence of former Miami Fusion players up and down the organization, starting with GM Garth Lagerway.

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Regular season USL-1 play has now concluded for 2009. The playoffs start tomorrow (Thursday). Sure it would have been nice to see Austin there; but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. We might as well get a head start on looking back.
Both of the league's expansion teams, the Austin Aztex and the Cleveland City Stars, fared poorly in their inaugural seasons, winding up at the bottom of the final standings:
P
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1 Portland Timbers 30 16 10 4 45 19 +26 58 2 Carolina RailHawks FC 30 16 7 7 43 19 +24 55 3 Puerto Rico Islanders 30 15 8 7 44 31 +13 53 4 Charleston Battery 30 14 11 5 33 21 +12 53 5 Montreal Impact 30 12 7 11 32 31 +1 43 6 Rochester Rhinos 30 11 10 9 34 32 +2 43 7 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 30 11 9 10 42 36 +6 42 8 Minnesota Thunder 30 7 10 13 39 44 -5 31 9 Miami FC 30 8 5 17 26 52 -26 29 10 Austin Aztex FC 30 5 8 17 28 51 -23 21* 11 Cleveland City Stars 30 4 19 7 22 52 -30 19
As you can see, the Aztex escaped the very last spot, if barely. Click to continue reading...

It's always been my dream to have one of those super high-paying jobs. You know, not one where they measure your salary with 6 figures for the year, but one like modern day footballers have, where they eek out a modest go at life on 5 figures per week.
I mean, I'm out of shape, washed up, saddling up to middle-age and have the athletic ability of Andrew the Giant (in his current state), but sign me up for about $65,000 a week and you will see me run for 90 minutes on a soccer field like you could never imagine. Click to continue reading...

I say (nearly) because there's one game (Austin at Miami, September 5) with no reported attendance. If you know about Miami, there's a possibility there was no actual attendance, but until I get a number, the chart below gives you a fairly good picture of how things went in USL's top division this year:

Team G Total Avg. Click to continue reading...

Hot on the heels of their 2-1 upset of the Portland Timbers, the Aztex head north of the border for their final game of the 2009 season. They'll face the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday evening, Sept. 13, at 6:00 CT. Watch the game free on USLLive.com.
The Whitecaps are currently in the 7th and last playoff slot, though they haven't punched their ticket yet. Click to continue reading...

Thunder with impressive display of offense in 5-2 defeat of Islanders.

The Minnesota Thunder continued their climb out of the basement of the USL standings with an exciting 5-2 victory over the visiting Puerto Rico Islanders. With the win, Minnesota slipped past struggling Miami FC in the standings and moved into 8th place, just one spot below the Vancouver Whitecaps who currently hold the 7th and final playoff spot in USL-1.

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Thunder with impressive display of offense in 5-2 defeat of Islanders.

The Minnesota Thunder continued their climb out of the basement of the USL standings with an exciting 5-2 victory over the visiting Puerto Rico Islanders. With the win, Minnesota slipped past struggling Miami FC in the standings and moved into 8th place, just one spot below the Vancouver Whitecaps who currently hold the 7th and final playoff spot in USL-1.

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In their first trip to Portland of the year, the Aztex take on the Timbers again on Friday, Sept. 11. Kickoff will be at 9:00 PM CT; as always you can watch online for free on USLLive.com.
Austin fans will already know the result of both teams' last game: the Timbers squeaked out a 1-0 win with a late goal here at Nelson Field on Monday. Click to continue reading...

The Minnesota Thunder Lose 3-1 to the Puerto Rico Islander in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on a waterlogged Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.

The Minnesota Thunder headed into Saturday evenings game with the Islanders coming off a nice 3-0 victory at home on Thursday evening against the Cleveland City Stars.

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The Minnesota Thunder Lose 3-1 to the Puerto Rico Islander in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on a waterlogged Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.

The Minnesota Thunder headed into Saturday evenings game with the Islanders coming off a nice 3-0 victory at home on Thursday evening against the Cleveland City Stars.

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The only goal the Minnesota Thunder needed to defeat the Cleveland City Stars on Thursday night was struck early by Lawrence Olum in the 7th minute. Olum made a run into the box after a cross was made by Marco Terminesi. It would take 83 more minutes before the Thunder could seal the deal and bury the Cleveland, both goals coming from Terminesi.

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The only goal the Minnesota Thunder needed to defeat the Cleveland City Stars on Thursday night was struck early by Lawrence Olum in the 7th minute. Olum made a run into the box after a cross was made by Marco Terminesi. It would take 83 more minutes before the Thunder could seal the deal and bury the City Stars, with 2 additional goals coming from Terminesi.

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Minnesota Thunder Hosts Cleveland City Stars Thursday Followed by Road Match at Puerto Rico Saturday
BLAINE, Minn. (Tuesday, August 25, 2009) – The Minnesota Thunder will host the Cleveland City Stars Thursday, August 27th at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.

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Minnesota Thunder Hosts Cleveland City Stars Thursday Followed by Road Match at Puerto Rico Saturday
BLAINE, Minn. (Tuesday, August 25, 2009) – The Minnesota Thunder will host the Cleveland City Stars Thursday, August 27th at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.

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USL-2 Playoffs
Saturday, August 22
Harrisburg City Islanders 0:1 Richmond Kickers
Delicate lifts Kickers into USL-2 final Richmond Times-Dispatch
Charlotte Eagles 1:0 Wilmington Hammerheads
Hammerheads fall in semifinals to Charlotte StarNewsOnline.com
USL-1
Saturday, August 22
Minnesota Thunder 0 - 1 Cleveland City Stars
City Stars end winless streak by defeating Minnesota clevelandcitystars. Click to continue reading...

The Minnesota Thunder lost the last game of a long grueling road trip to the last placed Cleveland City Stars on Saturday evening. The� Cleveland City Stars ended a 13-match winless streak with the 1-0 victory over the visiting Minnesota. Rookie forward Teteh Bangura scored his first goal of the season for the City Stars and goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap anchored the defensive effort with three saves in recording the shutout.

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The Minnesota Thunder lost the last game of a long grueling road trip to the last placed Cleveland City Stars on Saturday evening. The� Cleveland City Stars ended a 13-match winless streak with the 1-0 victory over the visiting Minnesota. Rookie forward Teteh Bangura scored his first goal of the season for the City Stars and goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap anchored the defensive effort with three saves in recording the shutout.

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The Aztex head back to Canada on Sunday, to face the Montreal Impact for the third and final time of the season. The game will be televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel; kickoff is at 2:45 CT.
The Impact, sitting right in the middle of the table in 6th, would qualify for the playoffs if the season were to end today. Click to continue reading...

Vancouver Whitecaps 1:1 Carolina RailHawks
Whitecaps help to 1-1 draw against RailHawks Vancouver Sun
RailHawks earn draw with Caps The News & Observer
Montreal Impact 2:1 Cleveland City Stars
Byers, Biello score second half goals as Impact beat City Stars 2-1 The Canadian Press Click to continue reading...

This Sunday, August 16, will find the Aztex back at Nelson Field once again. They'll be facing the Minnesota Thunder in a game that is essentially a must-win for the Austin team if they're to reach the post-season. With just 8 games left in the season, 5 on the road and 3 at home, it's down to the wire for our struggling squad. Click to continue reading...

Friday, July 31
Vancouver Whitecaps 3:1 Rochester Rhinos
Marlon James scores two goals as Whitecaps win 3-1 over Rhinos The Canadian Press
Whitecaps top Rhinos 3-1 with two-goal effort from James Vancouver Sun
Rhinos swamped by Whitecaps Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Saturday, August 1
Vancouver Whitecaps o:0 Cleveland City Stars
Road weary Whitecaps fit to be tied The Globe and Mail
Austin Aztex 0:3 Carolina RailHawks
RailHawks burn Aztex with balanced attack The News & Observer
Aztex fall to Carolina Austin American-Statesman
Montreal Impact 1:1 Miami FC Blues
Mauro Biello scores as Montreal Impact draw Miami FC 1-1 The Canadian Press
Impact surrender late goal The Globe and Mail
Marcina saves the day; playoffs still in sight for Miami FC Miami Herald
Portland Timbers 1:1 Minnesota Thunder
Timbers' record unbeaten streak up to 18 games The Oregonian
Saturday, August 1
Charlotte Eagles 1:1 Bermuda Hogges
Real Maryland Monarchs 0:1 Richmond Kickers
Kicker win, stay tied for first Richmond Times-Dispatch
Wilmington Hammerheads 2:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Sunday, August 2
Harrisburg City Islanders 0:0 Real Maryland Monarchs
Struggling City Islanders manage scoreless draw With Real PennLive. Click to continue reading...

Cleveland City Stars 1:4 Rochester Rhinos
Menyongar sparks Rochester Rhinos with two goals Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Montreal Impact 2:2 Austin Aztex
A pair of second-half goals gives Montreal a 2-2 USL tie with Austin Aztex The Canadian Press
Aztex again fumble away win in closing moments Austin American-Statesman
Puerto Rico Islanders 2:4 Vancouver Whitecaps
James scores twice, Whitecaps roll to 4-2 win over Islanders The Canadian Press
Whitecaps score crucial 4-2 win over Islanders Vancouver Sun
Charlotte Eagles 0:0 Crystal Palace Baltimore
The Eagles and Crystal Palace End in 0-0 Draw charlotteeagles. Click to continue reading...

The Aztex are back in Austin on Saturday night, July 25, to host the Montreal Impact.
The Impact are sitting mid-table, with a 6-8-3 record. They won their last match 4-1, a midweek home game rout of the Cleveland City Stars (match report / box score).
Montreal has also been making news lately for less flattering reasons. Click to continue reading...

The victory ends the Impact's five game winless streak in USL competition.
John Mahoney, The Gazette
Cleveland City Stars 1:4 Montreal Impact
Eduardo Sebrango scores twice as Impact beat City Stars 4-1 The Canadian Press
Impact finally finds back of the net Ottawa Citizen
City Stars dominated by Montreal, 4-1 Cleveland. Click to continue reading...

The Minnesota Thunder will play the Austin Aztex tonight at 7:05 tonight at the National Sports Center. This will be the Austin franchises first trip to Minnesota to play a USL-1 game. The last time Austin and Minnesota met was in Austin and it resulted in a 1-1 draw.

Minnesota sit at the bottom of the table with a 2-8-5 record with 11 points, while the Aztex sit 9th in the table, two places above the Thunder.

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The Minnesota Thunder will play the Austin Aztex tonight at 7:05 at the National Sports Center. This will be the Austin franchise's first trip to Minnesota to play a USL-1 game. The last time Austin and Minnesota met was in Austin and it resulted in a 1-1 draw.

Minnesota sit at the bottom of the table with a 2-8-5 record with 11 points, while the Aztex sit 9th in the table, two places above the Thunder.

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Charleston Battery 0:0 Cleveland City Stars
Battery Tie City Stars WCBD
Portland Timbers 1:1 Miami FC Blues
Win slips away from Blues Miami Herald
Late goal spoils Miami FC upset bid SunSentinel.com
Timbers match USL record for longest unbeaten streak OregonLive.com
Vancouver Whitecaps 1:2 Carolina RailHawks
Whitecaps lose 2-1 to RailHawks Vancouver Sun
Hawks take out Caps The News & Observer
Real Maryland Monarchs 1:3 Wilmington Hammerheads
Jaime Watson leads Hammerheads to share of first StarNewsOnline
Bermuda Hogges 0:5 Western Mass Pioneers
Pioneers boss Bermuda Hogges 5-0 MassLive. Click to continue reading...

Puerto Rico Islanders 0:0 Cleveland City Stars
Punchless Islanders remain in first place Soccer America
City Stats draw 0-0 with first place Puerto Rico ClevelandCityStars.com
Vancouver Whitecaps 1:2 Miami FC Blues
Nunes penalty downs Whitecaps Vancouver Globe and Mail
Despite missing key players, Miami FC cruises past Vancouver Miami Herald Click to continue reading...

Islanders 0-0 Cleveland City Stars

more details later...

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Another home win, 2nd in a row, for the Puerto Rico Islanders in week-11 "normal" action as they terminated the Charleston Battery's undefeated season streak with a 1-0 win by a last second 'alajuelazo', in front of a 2,000 Thursday crowd! The Islanders (22 pts) remaining in 4th place in the "normal" standings this week, 4 points behind the new (normal) league leading Portland Timbers (26 points) who trounced their opponents this week, and took advantage of Charleston's loss to take the top stop of the league.

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Another home win, the 2nd in a row, for the Puerto Rico Islanders in week-13 "normal" action. The Islanders terminated the Charleston Battery's undefeated season record with a last second 'alajuelazo' 1-0 win, in front of a 2,000 Thursday crowd!

The Islanders (22 pts) remain in 4th place in the "normal" standings, 4 points behind the new (normal) league leading Portland Timbers (26 points) who trounced their opponents this week.

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Austin Aztex 1 - 0 Cleveland City Stars
Aztex defeat Cleveland 1-0 on the road Austin American Statesman
Puerto Rico Islanders 0:0 Miami FC Blues
Blues let scoring chances slip away against top team in USL-1 Miami Herald
Portland Timbers 1:1 Minnesota Thunder
Timbers earn tie in road match Statesman Journal
Bass scores late, salvages a draw for Thunder Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Austin Aztex 1:4 Rochester Rhinos
Rhinos' four-goal surge lifts team Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Charleston Battery 1:0 Montreal Impact
Antoniuk scores in 68th as Charlston Battery down Montreal Impact 1-0 The Canadian Press
Battery back in first place Charleston Post and Courier
--
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2:1 Bermuda Hogges
Charlotte Eagles 2:1 Wilmington Hammerheads
Hammerheads fall behind early, lose to Charlotte StarNews Online
Crystal Palace Baltimore 1:3 Harrisburg City Islanders
City Islanders takes down Crystal Palace late PennLive. Click to continue reading...

Friday night at Middlefield Cheese Stadium saw a pretty even game between the Aztex and the Cleveland City Stars. I was terrified through the last 15 minutes that Cleveland was going to steal a draw again, like they did last weekend. But Austin held on, and got their first win on the road.
Here's a rundown of other post-match coverage:

• box score - USLSoccer.

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While most of us get three days off this Independence Day weekend, the Aztex only have the 4th itself off, with road games on Friday & Sunday.
On Friday, July 3 (that's tonight), they visit the Cleveland City Stars, in a rematch of last weekend's game there. Hopefully Austin will finish the City Stars off this time, and not let them steal a draw at the last minute. Click to continue reading...

Big win for the Puerto Rico Islanders in week-12 "normal" action as they trounced their opponent 4-1 in front of a 4,000 home crowd! The Islanders (19 pts) climb a spot back to 4th place in the "normal" standings this week, 5 points behind the league leading Charleston Battery (24 points) who tied their game this week.

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