The Austin Aztex, coached by former Dynamo forward Paul Dalglish, won their first Player Development League title on Sunday, overcoming an early deficit for a 3-1 win over the Thunder Bay Chill in the 2013 PDL Championship Game. Sito Seoane scored twice and added an assist to earn MVP honors for the title game. The Aztex finished the season with an impressive 15-1-2 record.
The championship capped a marvelous season for Dalglish, who was named PDL Coach of the Year on Saturday. Dalglish’s squad had an extraordinary 38-8 goal difference this season, with just eight goals against in 14 regular season games.
Dalglish, 36, spent two seasons with the Dynamo, winning consecutive MLS Cup titles in 2006 and 2007. Dalglish inserted his name in early franchise lore on November 5, 2006, when he scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference Championship. Dalglish is one of three players in club history to score two goals in a playoff game, later joined by Brian Ching (2007 Western Conference semifinal vs. FC Dallas) and Will Bruin (2012 Knockout Round vs. Chicago).
Moreover, Austin native Kristopher Tyrpak was named PDL Most Valuable Player of the Year. Tyrpak, a forward at Houston Baptist University, had 9 goals and 19 assists for the Aztex this season.
After a season of strong attendance, a home crowd of 4,253 filled House Park on Sunday night as the largest for the PDL Championship Game since 2007. The Aztex also led the PDL in attendance this season, with an average crowd of 2,048 at House Park.
