The first four games of the 2008 PDL season are serving double duty as qualifying games for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the oldest cup competition in United States soccer, and among the oldest in the world.

The competition dates back to 1914, and like the popular domestic cup competitions throughout Europe, South America and the rest of the world, it is open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the country. Any club can qualify for the tournament, giving local amateur teams a chance to compete against the best teams a country has to offer.

The 40 teams that will enter this year’s tournament are comprised as follows: 8 teams each from the following 5 leagues: MLS, USL-1, USL-2, PDL and USASA (United States Adult Soccer Association). Full qualification details are available on the U.S. Open Cup site. Only one of the PDL’s 8 slots will be filled by a team from the Aztex’s Mid South Division, and that team will be decided this weekend.

The Aztex are currently neck-and-neck with the Laredo Heat: both teams have 7 points, but Austin is ahead on goal-differential, leading +5 to +2. In fact, as can be seen in the standings, the only other team still in contention, aside from the Aztex and the Heat, are Mississippi Brilla. Though the Brilla only have 4 points, they could possibly pick up 6 more in their two qualifying games this weekend on the road to both Houston and DFW.

In the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the El Paso Patriots represented the PDL’s Mid South Division. After beating USL-1’s Miami FC on penalty kicks, the Patriots were eliminated in the second round by USL-1’s Charleston Battery.

Best of luck to the Aztex U23s in Laredo Friday night!

(And regardless of the outcome, don’t forget Sunday’s home game! The Aztex take on visitors New Orleans Shell Shockers at 2:30 PM at Dragon Stadium, Round Rock High School. More details coming soon!)