While many of you, as Austin FC fans, have feelings about the Houston Dynamo and their fans — completely understandable! — there's one thing I relish about Verde vs. Orange matchups, and that's the opportunity to check in with Striker alumni Victor Araiza.
In advance of tonight's match against Houston to decide who gets into the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals — at 8 pm CT, at Q2 Stadium, and it could be a long night if it goes to extra time) — I asked my friend some questions about a team that's got a solid Open Cup history, having won in 2019 (denying the Union in a stretch of the Union totally Susan Lucci-ing the Open Cup[[1]], and 2023 (when the Dynamo got some temporary newfound fans as they denied Inter Miami a trophy).
Also, to catch you up on Austin FC doings, Nico Estévez was a bit "mystery box" about tonight's possibly-rotated lineup, though he did say that Dani Pereira and Mikkel Desler took part in an 11 v. 11 scrimmage as part of this week's preparations — a sign that one or both might be ready to see limited minutes.
He also gave encouraging platitudes about the mindfulness of what his attackers needed to do to put goals on the board — now it's just a matter, as it has been for weeks, to apply all that. (Reminder that Verde haven't put up multiple goals against an MLS side since their home win against San Diego on March 22. Yes, that's close to two months ago.)
To the questions! (His answers about the Dynamo might echo some 2025 Verde laments ...)
Given Houston's recent successful history with Open Cup, how seriously do you think they're taking this year's tournament, and how close to full strength to you expect them to be?
No question, they'd like to win it. Especially if the Dynamo struggle to make the playoffs, it gives the team a fallback position with the diehards. I was a bit surprised that they let Phoenix Rising FC take them to extra time because they have enough quality players to overpower a USL Championship side. Of course, part of that was squad rotation, which did the Dynamo in last year against Detroit City. I don't think that would be the case against Austin FC because of the rivalry and the two-match win streak in the league. Ezequiel Ponce missed the game against FC Dallas and Erik Sviatchenko has been out for a few games, so those are two key names that may be doubts, but Ondřej Lingr and Jack McGlynn should be on the field.
That said, there's no reason Austin FC can't beat a full-strength Dynamo. Olsen's already planted the excuse of an unfair home-field advantage in his prematch presser just in case things don't go as planned.
Houston's been busy bringing in new players to support big signing Jack McGlynn ... how are they working out and which one's making the biggest impact?
McGlynn is coming into his own with this Dynamo side. He just won them the Texas Derby with a great game-changing moment. He's also got a couple assists off set pieces. His goal decided the Open Cup win at Phoenix in extra time. He's been the most impactful signing so far, but time will tell if he can carry them through the entire season or if they need him to.
Ondřej Lingr has a few goals in his short time, including one against Austin in the last encounter between the teams. Given his pedigree with teams like Feyenoord and Slavia Prague, there should be more in store. Of course, many players in the Olsen era have arrived strong but tend to get overcoached or hindered by his tactics[[2]] — some tamed completely like the case of former DP Sebastian Ferreira or the now-traded Aliyu Ibrahim.
What's the general fan vibes around Ben Olsen and the team this year? Is it as good as last year? Do you consider last year to be good? (Aside for that final game, that is ...)
The fans love Olsen. He says all the things they want to hear and he's got a silver tongue to weave his way in and out of why results go or don't go the team's way. There are a few that see through his tactical deficiencies, but it's a silent minority among the Dynamo faithful.
Most supporters probably consider last year to be good because the team made the playoffs. I think they held back against a beatable Seattle team, which brings up the team's continued struggles to score goals. The red cards, especially Herrera's, overshadow a lot of what the Dynamo were doing wrong offensively to keep themselves from being MLS Cup contenders.
Olsen is in no danger of losing his job. As long as he makes the playoffs, he'll be fine with fans and ownership happy with meeting that bare minimum (whether anyone admits it or not). His direct superiors — GM Pat Onstad and Technical Director Asher Mendelsohn — are his boys, and aren't going to hold him to any fire unless they're pressured to and there's zero criticism in Houston.
Austin FC fans have plenty to be pleased about in that sense. Unless Olsen changes his tactics, it's hard to see the Dynamo ever winning an MLS Cup during his tenure.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.
[[1]]: This is a very deep cut reference! (She was a soap opera actress who was nominated for an Emmy close to 20 times before winning.)
[[2]]: See? Austin fans aren't the only one with this complaint!
While many of you, as Austin FC fans, have feelings about the Houston Dynamo and their fans — completely understandable! — there's one thing I relish about Verde vs. Orange matchups, and that's the opportunity to check in with Striker alumni Victor Araiza.
In advance of tonight's match against Houston to decide who gets into the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals — at 8 pm CT, at Q2 Stadium, and it could be a long night if it goes to extra time) — I asked my friend some questions about a team that's got a solid Open Cup history, having won in 2019 (denying the Union in a stretch of the Union totally Susan Lucci-ing the Open Cup[[1]], and 2023 (when the Dynamo got some temporary newfound fans as they denied Inter Miami a trophy).
Also, to catch you up on Austin FC doings, Nico Estévez was a bit "mystery box" about tonight's possibly-rotated lineup, though he did say that Dani Pereira and Mikkel Desler took part in an 11 v. 11 scrimmage as part of this week's preparations — a sign that one or both might be ready to see limited minutes.
He also gave encouraging platitudes about the mindfulness of what his attackers needed to do to put goals on the board — now it's just a matter, as it has been for weeks, to apply all that. (Reminder that Verde haven't put up multiple goals against an MLS side since their home win against San Diego on March 22. Yes, that's close to two months ago.)
To the questions! (His answers about the Dynamo might echo some 2025 Verde laments ...)
Given Houston's recent successful history with Open Cup, how seriously do you think they're taking this year's tournament, and how close to full strength to you expect them to be?
No question, they'd like to win it. Especially if the Dynamo struggle to make the playoffs, it gives the team a fallback position with the diehards. I was a bit surprised that they let Phoenix Rising FC take them to extra time because they have enough quality players to overpower a USL Championship side. Of course, part of that was squad rotation, which did the Dynamo in last year against Detroit City. I don't think that would be the case against Austin FC because of the rivalry and the two-match win streak in the league. Ezequiel Ponce missed the game against FC Dallas and Erik Sviatchenko has been out for a few games, so those are two key names that may be doubts, but Ondřej Lingr and Jack McGlynn should be on the field.
That said, there's no reason Austin FC can't beat a full-strength Dynamo. Olsen's already planted the excuse of an unfair home-field advantage in his prematch presser just in case things don't go as planned.
Houston's been busy bringing in new players to support big signing Jack McGlynn ... how are they working out and which one's making the biggest impact?
McGlynn is coming into his own with this Dynamo side. He just won them the Texas Derby with a great game-changing moment. He's also got a couple assists off set pieces. His goal decided the Open Cup win at Phoenix in extra time. He's been the most impactful signing so far, but time will tell if he can carry them through the entire season or if they need him to.
Ondřej Lingr has a few goals in his short time, including one against Austin in the last encounter between the teams. Given his pedigree with teams like Feyenoord and Slavia Prague, there should be more in store. Of course, many players in the Olsen era have arrived strong but tend to get overcoached or hindered by his tactics[[2]] — some tamed completely like the case of former DP Sebastian Ferreira or the now-traded Aliyu Ibrahim.
What's the general fan vibes around Ben Olsen and the team this year? Is it as good as last year? Do you consider last year to be good? (Aside for that final game, that is ...)
The fans love Olsen. He says all the things they want to hear and he's got a silver tongue to weave his way in and out of why results go or don't go the team's way. There are a few that see through his tactical deficiencies, but it's a silent minority among the Dynamo faithful.
Most supporters probably consider last year to be good because the team made the playoffs. I think they held back against a beatable Seattle team, which brings up the team's continued struggles to score goals. The red cards, especially Herrera's, overshadow a lot of what the Dynamo were doing wrong offensively to keep themselves from being MLS Cup contenders.
Olsen is in no danger of losing his job. As long as he makes the playoffs, he'll be fine with fans and ownership happy with meeting that bare minimum (whether anyone admits it or not). His direct superiors — GM Pat Onstad and Technical Director Asher Mendelsohn — are his boys, and aren't going to hold him to any fire unless they're pressured to and there's zero criticism in Houston.
Austin FC fans have plenty to be pleased about in that sense. Unless Olsen changes his tactics, it's hard to see the Dynamo ever winning an MLS Cup during his tenure.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.
[[1]]: This is a very deep cut reference! (She was a soap opera actress who was nominated for an Emmy close to 20 times before winning.)
[[2]]: See? Austin fans aren't the only one with this complaint!
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