By TRAVIS CLARK
No matter the opponent, the Austin Aztex keep on rolling.
A struggling Miami FC came to House Park, with the hopes of slowing down the rampant Aztex. But goals from Eddie Johnson and Lawrence Olum gave the hosts a 2-0 early in the second half, and they wouldn't look back. Abe Thompson handed his side a lifeline, getting one back for Miami in the 75th minute, until forward Kendall McFayden added a stoppage-time insurance goal in Austin's 3-1 win.
The Aztex's win was their fourth of the season over Miami, who remained mired on just two wins for the season. The Blues haven't won a game since June 12.
Here's a look at the rest of the weekend's D-2 action:
Tampa Bay concedes late again, ties 2-2 with Portland
The FC Tampa Bay Rowdies are struggling to put teams away, and it could prove to cost them a playoff spot when all is said and done. The Rowdies went toe-to-toe with Portland, an Aaron King goal canceling out Bright Dike's opener in the first half. The Rowdies then took the lead in the 57th minute thanks to Ricardo Sanchez, but conceded another late goal, this to Portland's Takayuki Suzuki, earning a point for the Timbers in a 2-2 draw.
Baltimore can't beat 10-men Montreal
In need of more than one point, Baltimore couldn't overcome an undermanned Montreal, tying 1-1 in Boyds, Md. Baltimore enjoyed the run of play, but ended up going down to a Tony Donatelli penalty kick in the 63rd minute. Montreal had already been reduced to 10 men at that point, when Simon Gatti was shown a second yellow card. Palace Baltimore managed to rally for a point, with Gary Brooks scoring a 77th minute equalizer.
Carolina, Vancouver draw 2-2
Vancouver jumped all over the Railhawks defense, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes. But the Whitecaps defense couldn't hold up their end of the bargain, conceding two times before the half. Martin Nash's penalty in the 2nd minute was a good indicator for the visitors, who had made the long trip from the Northwest. Philippe Davis then double Vancouver's lead. But it wouldn't last, as quick strikes by Mark Schulte and Josh Gardner meant points were shared in a 2-2 draw.
Minnesota fights back for late draw at St. Louis
In a wild encounter in the Midwest, a late Brian Cvilikas strike snatched a point for the visiting Minnesota Stars, an entertaining 2-2 draw with St. Louis. Three goals in the final ten minutes saw to that. St. Louis took a 42nd minute lead with a Luke Kreamalmeyer goal. Melvin Tarley equalized late in the second half, before Kreamalmeyer tallied again, this time on a penalty — cuing Cvilikas' heroics for the road side.
Sounds like the Aztex experience last year. It was heartbreaking. I swear, the Aztex gave up at least a dozen points through the last half of the season on breakdowns in the final 15 minutes of games.
Carolina showed some good grit, but needed to do better to get the win.
That was a tough one to lose for the Rowdies. Still, they played great for most of the game against a very good opponent. It doesn’t get any easier as travel to Austin on Saturday!
The Rowdies blew it v. Portland. With the exception of the first 15-20 minutes, the Rowdies dominated the game. The new signing, Ricardo Sanchez, was a standout in midfield, not just because of the fantastic free-kick he scored.
Attendance was good, about 4,500 announced per NASL website.
Late goals conceded against Rochester, Miami, and now Portland could cost the Rowdies a playoff spot at the end…hope I am wrong! Go Rowdies!
Man Austin owns Miami like Toronto Blue Jays own my sorry O’s in baseball.
Ok. Nowhere near as bad. Nothing could possibly be as bad as the Toronto’s domination of Baltimore.
See Blues’–erh, um Strikers’ fans. It oculd be worse> Take it from someone who knows…
luke kream de la kreamalmeyer!
I realize that Montreal was a man down and playing on the road but you know what–I will happily take that point. Sure, I would have loved for Baltimore to get three but I wasn’t crying about the points that we left on the table.
Good to see Brooksie get one. His roll since he has returned is completely different than before he left, when he was a target man.
With all of the adversity that it is facing, pretty much any point is a good point for Baltimore. The Impact is a good club.
I’ll take it.