City affiliates Austin Aztex FC have announced its squad for the U23 team which begins play on May 3, 2008.

The U23 team will participate in the USL's Premier Development League ("PDL"), an elite amateur league of 67 teams, in which players participate in a professional training environment as they seek to move into the professional ranks.

The Aztex will be playing in the PDL's Midsouth division which includes the league champion from last year, the Laredo Heat.

The current Austin Aztex squad list consists of 21 players, several of whom are attending or have graduated from the University of Texas.

Many on the roster are Austin based players who learned their soccer locally and will be returning to play for their local club, Austin Aztex, this summer. In addition to the local talent on show, there are 2 players who have played for NCAA National Championship clubs.

There are another two players who have played for National Teams in Jamaica. Three players are natives of the United Kingdom and one player from Spain, who has played in La Liga. In short, the team has a strong international character, close ties to the Austin community and a wealth of soccer experience both here and abroad.

Aztex U23 Head Coach Wolfgang Suhnholz comments: "While it was not our objective to field a team with this much international variety, it's not surprising that we've ended up here given the global appeal of soccer.

"We think these players have a great deal of potential, and it should be fun for the fans in Austin to watch them develop and possibly move into professional ranks next year."

The Austin Aztex U23 team will play its first league game on May 3 in El Paso, with its home opener at Dragon Stadium in Round Rock on May 10 at 7:30PM against the Houston Leones. The 2008 campaign will total 16 games of which 8 will be at the Aztex's home.

Phil Rawlins, President of the Aztex and City Director, says: "I am truly excited about the quality of the first players we will have out on the field wearing the Aztex colors and representing the Austin community.

"The coaching staff has done a great job of identifying a group of young players who have real potential; we think they will make a big impact in the league in their first season."

The squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers:

1 - Miguel Gallardo (PDL top goalkeeper 2005/06)
12 - Craig Hill (Southern Methodist University; 2005 NSCAA All-American at Reagan HS)

Defenders:

2 - Andy Taylor (Native of Liverpool, England)
3 - Zack Pope (Draft pick for MLS club Chicago Fire)
4 - Kieron Bernard (Captained Jamaican U17, U20, U23)
5 - Beto Papandrea University of Austin Texas, Graduate)
13 - Joshua Alcala (Played for Crystal Palace USA)
18 - Chris Spendlove (Native of Liverpool)
19 - Jamie Scope (Native of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England)

Midfielders:

6 - Ezual Lewis (Ex Jamaican U20 International)
7 - Jorge Vega (District MVP at Manor HS 2006)
8 - Marcel Uriarte (St. Edwards University Graduate)
10 - AJ Godbolt (Draft pick for MLS club Kansas City Wizards)
14 - Carlos Vicens (Played for La Liga side RCD Mallorca)
15 - Westley Allen (University of Austin, Texas)
17 - Abdiel Amador (Texas A&M International University)
21 - Austin Da Luz (Wake Forest University Graduate)

Forwards:

9 - Edgar Alvarez (Mayde Creek High School all time top scorer)
11 - Andres Cuero (Charlotte University Graduate)
16 - BJ Olonilua (University of Austin, Texas)