STOKE CITY'S sister club the Austin Aztex are now building up to what promises to be an exciting second season in the USSF Division 2 Pro League.
They will kick off the new campaign in a new stadium and with eight of their leading players still part of the squad being developed by Adrian Heath.
"Like everybody else, we're excited about the start of the season. A new year always brings new optimism," commented Head Coach Heath. "All the players are excited and that's what it should be like this time of year."
Leading goal scorer Eddie Johnson is back after scoring five goals, while the Aztex have nearly 50 per cent of their total goalscorers coming back in 2010, with Sullivan Silva, Yordany Alvarez and Jamie Watson also in the squad.
Hometown favourite Miguel Gallardo is once again in goal for the team with 14 games under his belt in 2009 when he produced some outstanding performances.
After training Monterrey, Mexico, Gallardo plans on using new techniques to keep clean sheets throughout the season and keep the Aztex ahead in the games.
"It was a good experience. A real change of pace," Gallardo said of his time in Mexico. "The training was a high-intensive programme that I learned a lot from. I am looking forward to the season to apply what I learned."
While the Aztex are returning a bulk of their stars, they did not sit quietly in the offseason. This season provides a lot of new talent to the team with the addition of former L.A. Galaxy defender, Leonard Griffin, his brother and UCLA standout, Maxwell Griffin, and former Kansas City Wizard, Lance Watson.
In May, the Aztex will bolster their attacking resources with the arrival of Medaille College star, Kendell McFayden. The senior graduates in May and comes to Austin to aid the Aztex attack shortly afterwards.
With the new season comes a new venue for the Aztex as well. House Park in downtown Austin provides a new atmosphere for fans and a new game day experience.
"We're not only looking forward to this year for us, but being a World Cup year, it's a huge year for soccer in the country," Heath added. "We want to play our part by being successful."
