On the Win Last Night

Scoreboard at McKalla Place says it: Austin FC Wins!Austin FC fans haven’t had an easy time of it lately. A long run of losses, a spot at the bottom of the Western Division, and being included in discussions about the worst expansion team in league history will do that. There’s been lots of grumbling – or outright yelling – about the coach, the technical director, the owner, and the team. Players wrote open letters asking fans to not give up on them. And the fans kept showing … Read the rest “On the Win Last Night”

On How Damn Loud the Stadium Is

You’re sitting in your seat at McKalla Place, waiting for the game to start. You watch the teams warming up on the field below, and you sip your exorbitantly expensive beer. You make a comment to the person next to you, and you know what they probably reply? hearing protection ear muffs

“WHAT?”

That’s because the speakers in the roof above you are turned up to eleven, and the music being played by “DJ Chorizo Funk” – a man with a funny stage name … Read the rest “On How Damn Loud the Stadium Is”

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 Beer: 512 Barrel-Aged Pecan Porter

Technically this pregame brew is (512) Brewing Company’s “Whiskey Barrel Aged Double Pecan Porter (2021)”. It’s darn tasty, though somehow this barrel-aged version isn’t quite at the level other beers reach. Or is it because it’s a porter instead of a stout?

Anyway, here’a the black, let’s add some Verde (or some Parley Ocean Plastic PrimeBlue, as the case may be) and steal some points in Seattle.

On Alex Ring

Well, that 2-1 loss wasn’t the result we wanted, or thought we might get away with, in Kansas City last night.

We know this game will never be remembered as anything other than The One Where Alex Ring Got a Red Card and Then We Lost, but we’d like go on the record about the player himself. That game description implies causality, as does much of the postgame coverage (example from The Striker Texas: Red card costs Austin Read the rest “On Alex Ring”

On Beer: Cerveza Mexican Lager

Celis Brewery's Cerveza Mexican Lager

Halftime in KC, coach Wolff is telling our boys how to get through this game with all three points. Back here in Austin, we’re cracking open another Cerveza Mexican Lager by Celis.

Violet Crown verdict: One thumb up

On Beer: Golden Age

Forty minutes to kickoff in Minnesota (#MinneapoLISTO), enjoying a pregame can of Golden Age by Family Business Beer Company.

Violet Crown Verdict: One thumb up

On the Verde Store

The grand opening of the “Verde Store”, the merch store in the stadium at McKalla Place, is tomorrow, Saturday, May 1. Season ticket holders were able to get a preview today, so here are a few pics and, below, our thoughts.

To be quite honest, a gift shop full of stuff we’ve mostly been able to order online for a while now wouldn’t normally excite us all that much. But this gift shop is inside that glorious new stadium, and … Read the rest “On the Verde Store”

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 Miracle of Austin FC’s Existence

The very existence of this MLS expansion club, in this city, at this time, is practically a miracle. There have been so many things that, if they had gone just a little differently, might have kept this from happening.

To be sure, there were plenty of hurdles that were cleared to get here. Failed attempts at getting downtown land for the stadium, a sitting member of Austin City Council traveling to Columbus on behalf of her constituents there, even a … Read the rest “On the Miracle of Austin FC’s Existence”