Category: Austin Pro Soccer

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 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 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

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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”

On the Name of the Stadium at McKalla Place

Though it has now become the center of many Austin soccer fans’ universe, none of us had ever heard of “McKalla Place” just a few years ago. We’re proud to have published the pragmatic and insightful post by Lee Nichols that introduced many to that name: My Stadium Pick: McKalla Place.

I’m assuming Anthony Precourt is going to read this, so let’s invite him: Mr. Precourt, make a visit to the McKalla tract. It won’t look very impressive. But

… Read the rest “On the Name of the Stadium at McKalla Place”

On the McKalla Concessions Announcement

Austin FC has announced their local-forward food concession plans, based on a new “hospitality team” brand collaboration with the Levy company: 512 Food Co.

When doors open in June 2021, Q2 Stadium visitors will have a breadth of local favorites available throughout Q2 Stadium. 512 Food Co. is committed to partnering with the Austin restaurant community, and it will continue to identify future opportunities to work with small businesses of all cultures and tastes.

Their initial roster of more … Read the rest “On the McKalla Concessions Announcement”

Chronicle Soccer Watch on Austin FC’s first player signing:

“It seems like a confident move, and a forward-looking one: They didn’t need to splash money on a marquee name, because they’ve already got the city’s attention; a youngster with a lot of upside is more on brand.”