Preseason’s definitely ramped up for Austin media.
Judging from the throng at media availability on Wednesday, there’s anticipation among people covering the team for Saturday’s opener against Minnesota United FC.
Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff did his part to praise the Loons, saying they’re “a very fast physical team, extremely good on set pieces, [with] incredible speed throughout the field.” What he didn’t say is that star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso is possibly out with a thigh injury and it appears the new incoming head coach is a 31-year-old Manchester United assistant with no prior MLS experience.
While I wouldn’t bank the three points just yet, this looks like a more forgiving opener than it might have looked when the schedule was first announced. However, many of us also thought St. Louis would be an easy win to start the 2023 season.
Here’s a quick tour through what we learned in the last two days: On Tuesday, with Austin FC president Andy Loughnane leading a stadium tour, and on Wednesday with Wolff and goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
