Getting to McKalla via the 803

Part four in an ongoing series exploring options for getting to McKalla Place for games. Previously: Getting to McKalla via the Pavemint Shuttle, Getting to McKalla via the 383 and Getting to McKalla via the Red Line.

CapMetro’s high-frequency route #803 is another excellent option for getting to McKalla Place. The northbound origins of the line begin in South Austin at the Westgate Transit Center. From there the route courses through South Lamar to Guadalupe, eventually making its … Read the rest “Getting to McKalla via the 803”

Supporting Local Soccer Beyond Austin FC

There are so many things happening this summer in Austin that revolve around McKalla Place, the new center of our soccer universe. Hopefully by now you have secured some tickets to an Oaks match or to see the best women’s soccer team in the history of the planet. Though we know that with limited seating capacity, a lot of folks are left on the outside looking in.

But don’t forget the other offerings that our home city provides when it … Read the rest “Supporting Local Soccer Beyond Austin FC”

News & Notes after Game 1

Firsts

Last Saturday was one of the moments that Austin soccer supporters have been dreaming of for years. There will be many more firsts this season, but watching Austin compete in Major League Soccer on FOX was a beauty to behold. A small but vocal group made it to LA for Austin FC’s first ever match, while most of us viewed from homes and watch parties here in Austin. The national TV ratings placed the match as the top-rated soccer … Read the rest “News & Notes after Game 1”

On The Naming of an Official Austin FC Mascot

It all gets real on Saturday in Los Angeles. Let’s take a quick look back before Austin becomes Major League.

Last week Austin FC rolled out a spicy media release and an in-person event at an almost-complete McKalla Place, billed as a mascot announcement. Many were likely ready to pounce and troll The Oaks for adopting a new fuzzy and larger-than-life attraction for kids and casual fans.

Austin FC turned those fears away when they announced Austin Pets Alive! as … Read the rest “On The Naming of an Official Austin FC Mascot”

Unquestionable Ambition

Austin FC stadium under construction

We are still a year away from watching our city’s first major league team take the pitch, yet Austin FC has already charted an ambitious start. For those of you that have followed sports in Austin over the last few decades, you know that securing a stadium has been the largest hurdle for any professional sports organization searching for sustainable success.

Austin FC has not only secured a stadium site, and inside Austin’s city limits at that, they have broken … Read the rest “Unquestionable Ambition”

A Suddenly Crowded Stadium Scene

Not long ago, supporters of professional soccer in Austin had little hope for a team, and certainly nothing tangible on the horizon. But as we near the end of 2017, the story of local pro soccer is riveting.

In addition to Bobby Epstein’s announcement that USL would return to our city in 2019, we have also had the seismic news that Anthony Precourt is considering relocating MLS’s Columbus Crew to Austin to begin play that very same year. We have … Read the rest “A Suddenly Crowded Stadium Scene”

Making a Case for Austin Soccer

There are a lot of great things about living in Austin. We could make our list of the top 10 things to do in the City of the Violet Crown, which would certainly be different from yours. You might choose the music scene, Spamarama, SXSW, Eeyore’s birthday party, or hiking and biking along the miles of trails in our green belts. However, supporting a local professional soccer team couldn’t be on either of our lists; we don’t have a team.… Read the rest “Making a Case for Austin Soccer”

Road Report: Copa America Semifinal

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Tuesday evening we were fortunate enough to make the road trip from Austin to Houston and witness the USMNT take on the greatness that is Messi and his Argentina squad. The winner of the match would be headed to the Copa America Final and many of the red, white, and blue supporters had hope.

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NRG Stadium was sold out prior to game day. The crowd of 70,858 was greeted by a tremendous amount of pregame festivities, including tailgates and a … Read the rest “Road Report: Copa America Semifinal”

Can Dempsey Lead the Yanks Past Argentina?

Today marks the most significant soccer matchup on Texas soil since the World Cup Quarterfinal between Netherlands and Brazil was played in the Cotton Bowl in July, 1994. The US men have earned their way into one of the most highly anticipated games of the historic Copa America Centenario, facing the top-ranked team in the world: Argentina. The winner punches their way to the final and a guaranteed top-two finish.

By virtue of defeating Ecuador in the quarterfinals and winning … Read the rest “Can Dempsey Lead the Yanks Past Argentina?”

Road Report: Copa America

We made our way to Houston on Saturday to attend the final Group A match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario between Colombia and Costa Rica. We arrived early enough and found one of the thousands of televisions at NRG Stadium to nervously watch the tight finish pulled off by the USMNT.

When we decided to travel to Houston it was not just for a soccer match, there was also the experience of watching two foreign countries’ supporters compete on … Read the rest “Road Report: Copa America”