Expect some Austin FC player news this week. If it’s anything like last year’s, the first week of the year promises to be a relatively active one, moving the team closer to completion.
In the first week of 2023, Austin FC moved out one beloved Scandinavian center back (Ruben Gabrielsen) to bring in another (Leo Väisänen), found a backup goalkeeper (Matt Bersano) who may or may not last a calendar year (if rumors are to be believed), and did some behind-the-scenes moves to bring in two defensive pieces that did not work out — Adam Lundkvist, who lasted the year, and Amro Tarek, who was shipped out in the summer with the team’s one-time buyout though he really didn’t last past the one match where he was a flaming disaster.
While 2024 might not have as action-packed of a first week, it might, actually, given that transfer windows around the world are opening and Verde needs to bring in up to 10 players to fill out a roster that could grow to 20 (but at least 18) senior spots, plus up to 10 supplemental spots, by the time the 2024 season starts in 53 days.
And you’d think that Austin FC sporting director Rodolfo Borrell would want more players in prior to the Jan. 13 report date that will officially kick off the 2024 Austin FC preseason. If you missed it last week, and don’t blame you if you did given the holiday, I laid out a look at the depth chart at this juncture of the offseason.
Let’s go over some lingering questions to start this first 2024 week, on the Austin FC front, to add to the other lingering questions you have at this time of the year. (Like, “When do we start taking the tree down?” and “When do we put away the Christmas lights and inflatables, and do we want to be the first on our street to do that?”)
