"There are only, like, 40 soccer players, tops, and we've already signed 12 of them. We're gonna dominate!" - Josh Wolff, probably
I know im not popular when I praise anything about the team, but I think they can be good. Hoesen up top isnt good enough but theyre gonna test drive him to find out. I think that line of Redes, Pochettino, Dominguez can be a big deal plus Ring behind them. Its obviously unproven but I dont scoff at that. I think theyre defense is super questionable. Lima is the only decent known entity. Romana may be good but is an unknown, Besler was good but is past it, and Sweat is subpar. Im assuming out the gate Tarbell is GK and we know he is good, not great. I dont think theyre probably playoff contenders but like ive said before, im not expecting Cincinnati or early Minnesota levels of ineptitude either.
I think there is a lot to like about Austin (growing city, solid fan base..for now, have a stadium) on the field I am not optimistic. 1. Their foreign signings of Pochettino, Dominguez and Redes to me are all types of players that would have been brought in a few years ago in terms of the quality The level of players now being brought into the league has gone way up, especially in attack. I don't see a lot of creating potential out of this group or true finishers. Hoesen has only once scored more than 5 goals in his MLS career. 2. Josh Wolff is a rookie head coach and how often have they been successful right out of the gate? Coaching and tactics matter and I think there is a learning curve with any new coach that will cost them points. Maybe he will be really good but surely he will take his lumps as he learns. 3. Claudio Reyna did not prove at NYCFC that he was a good evaluator of talent despite having literally the most robust and detailed scouting network to utilize. Can he prove that he needed to get away from that system to really own the process of evaluating and bringing in talent? If this burns up for him then his GM prospects in the future look bleak 4. That defense looks subpar and will have issues dealing with any level of speed in the attack. I don't think they will set a record for the fewest points or for the fewest goals scored but it's going to be a tough year.
They really wanted the Crew to move there instead of getting an expansion team. Well, they're pretty much getting the Precourt-era Crew.
I look at their roster for guys who could make the starting lineup in Columbus and I don't see much. Nick Lima is very good, and Alex Ring is first class as well. They'd better be because Reyna paid through the nose for them. Absolute extortion. Lima obviously could challenge for a fullback spot and while you have to love Ring he'd need to knock out either Nagbe, Zelarayan or Mensah depending on how they want to use him, and there's no way. The foreign guys - meh. It looks a lot like Reyna bought a bill of goods. Besler is done. Tarbell had to leave Columbus because he couldn't beat out our guy. Bottom line, everybody on their team, with one or two exceptions, would be coming in to challenge for a job as a backup.
They don't have to, but they do. Why not take the tax write and cover those imaginary admin fees? Anyone recall those charity debacles for Hurricane Katrina? To be a charity you only need to give .50 cents on the dollar, but you take your 50, then give the rest to another charity, they take their .50 and pass it along. I remember reading only .11 cents on the dollar donated actually made to those in need on the Gulf. I don't donate to anyone without doing extensive research on how they are actually using the money I give. A quick Google search shows nothing on how 4ATX is run. I can't give to that, even in the name of soccer. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/834164008
I could totally envision a FCKY scenario of revolving door at Coach & GM. I actually am hoping and praying for just that. Nothing against Wolff or Reyna. I just want it to be a complete cluster F down there until such time as Trustfund Tony and Chest Hair Loughne are GONE!
I look at their roster and see results like the Crew had in 2019. And why not? They've got fans (they say) and why spend on a quality roster when you can just pick up guys who got some play time elsewhere with a coach they already know. It's ambitious, I know, but it seems to be their current approach. I expect this team to miss the playoffs and challenge for the Wooden Spoon, which is an appropriate award for the ownership of this team.
Someone can throw this in my face but they will finish in 2nd to last place in the Western Conference.
Two other transfers of note -- Pulisic to FC Austin Berhalter to FC Austin I realize these are not breaking stories, but I just wanted to have a little fun typing them out.
Been having a ball tagging Austin FC on Twitters pointing out Crew quit sending their reserves to the Aztex and ended that relationship after that flood - apparently they didn't get the memo.
I hope Bold pokes them constantly. I love the bet. I had to tell them to be careful cuz Precourt likes to stiff fans with the bar bill. Austin Bold FC challenges @AustinFC to a pre-season match! All ticket proceeds will go to Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and Central Texas Food Bank. https://t.co/bAdprj0Fpu
Austin FC will meet Concacaf Champions League finalist LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on April 17
Damn, I honestly don't watch too much non-Crew MLS. But I'll have the beer and popcorn ready for this one. Wait, isn't LAFC one of Austin's self-proclaimed "rivalry" clubs? Because of Will Ferrell, or something?
Well, they stole our rival and are hosting SJ for their home opener. The saying is true I guess... All my exes, live in Texas
Also: Week 10 Saturday, June 19 Austin v. San Jose 9:00 pm UniMas/Twitter They finally play in their new stadium Week 10, against pretty decent SJ team. And with not much love on the national TV front.
Twitter is exactly what the Hipster Six crave. Just like LAFC always get a ton of games on Fox and FS1, Twitter makes perfect sense for Austin hipsters.
Wouldn't Snapchat or TikTok make more sense than Twitter, if we're stereotyping hipsters? Twitter is pretty mainstream these days.