On the Crew as a Rival

Some folks are trying to push the idea that Austin FC has an automatic rivalry with the Columbus Crew, due to our owner’s previous affiliation and attempted relocation of that franchise. The fact that the Crew are one of only two of our games against Eastern Conference teams is a good clue that the league thought there might be some friction here, too.

But in the end that Ohio team – and their fans – wound up losing literally nothing … Read the rest “On the Crew as a Rival”

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”

Interesting takeaways from this SportBusiness article. Hopeful this tournament can safely happen.

“There will also be enhanced visual effects, including increased aerial coverage via drones, goalpost cameras, and super slow-motion cameras behind the nets.”

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MLS is Back Tournament

It’s official, and it’s called the “MLS is Back Tournament”. It will be held July 8 to August 11 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and here’s the structure:

  • All 26 MLS clubs participating; all matches in Orlando
  • Group stage followed by knockout rounds
  • Group stage counts toward regular season
  • Winner earns 2021 Concacaf Champions League spot
  • Pre-tournament draw to assign groups
  • Regular season continues after tournament

More details in … Read the rest “”

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”

Stoppage Time 10/26/19

Keeping Central Texans up-to-date on all the soccer news that’s fit to link to.

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The MLS team on the other end of US 290 has a new coach: Tab Ramos is taking over in Houston:

Ramos, 53, joins the Dynamo after serving as the head coach of the United States Under-20 National Team since 2011 and as the U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director since 2013. During that time, he led the U-20s to the FIFA U-20 World Cup

Read the rest “Stoppage Time 10/26/19”

Stoppage Time 10/19/19

Keeping Central Texans up-to-date on all the soccer news that’s fit to link to.

Reading

It was a bad night for the reputation of Bulgarian fans, as their racist abuse of England’s black players nearly caused their European qualifying match to be abandoned. That the Bulgaria team leadership are turning a blind eye to it, makes it all the worse:

The statement from Bulgaria’s manager, Krasimir Balakov, that he had not noticed anything, that he just wanted to talk about

Read the rest “Stoppage Time 10/19/19”

Stoppage Time 10/12/19

DaMarcus Beasley, legend

Keeping Central Texans up-to-date on all the soccer news that’s fit to link to.

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Farewell to DaMarcus Beasley: a US star with no interest in the limelight. DMB is such a good guy; looking forward to see what else he’ll do to grow the game in the US.

Tim Howard is coming to Austin:

The former Blues goalkeeper will be making a first appearance in his new role [as the Club’s first International Ambassador in the US]

Read the rest “Stoppage Time 10/12/19”

Stoppage Time 10/5/19

Promise Isaac, 1987-2019

Keeping Central Texans up-to-date on all the soccer news that’s fit to link to.

Reading

Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea season is hitting a rough patch

Pulisic has gone five matches out of Chelsea’s past six matches without seeing a single minute of playing time, with the lone exception being a Carabao Cup start against Grimsby Town.

Maybe some time with the US team the next couple of weeks will improve his fortunes.

How Mohamed Salah inspired me to become a MuslimRead the rest “Stoppage Time 10/5/19”