World Cup wrap-up, and what's next for Verde All Day
Now that the World Cup is over, our attention turns fully back to Austin FC. Here's what's on the docket over the next two weeks heading into Leagues Cup.
This graphic from Futi sums up Sunday's World Cup final nicely — especially the "deserved win" feature.
Dominant in shots and chances throughout the match, Spain got an extra-time goal from sub Ferran Torres and withstood the brand of late flurry Argentina traded on throughout the knockout rounds, winning 1-0 in Sunday's final and closing out a fantastic tournament.
It was grueling, as finals can be, and Argentina showed a new level of thuggery in this match (particularly Leandro Paredes, who deserved a second yellow for multiple fouls in the match's final phases, and got a red after the match for attempting to fight victorious Spanish players). It was perhaps fitting, though, that after the joyous 10-goal third-place match, we got this counterweight in the final.
(Though I still contend the final would have been more fun with France in it.)
My sister-in-law asked me about an hour after the match what I'm going to do with myself now that the World Cup's over. The answer's simple: Austin FC plays again on Wednesday! Today, Austin media gets its first chance to check in with interim head coach Davy Arnaud about preparations for the second half of the season — which we got a glimpse of with Saturday's open practice.
Then, Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium, with new Brad Stuver bobbleheads procured by some, fans will take in Verde taking on Seattle Sounders FC, who already started their second-half journey with a shocking 5-1 home loss to Portland last Thursday. Of course, Verde will be without the recently-traded Dani Pereira, and how Arnaud manages the midfield will be foremost in my narrative building as I watch the match unfold.
Then, Copa Tejas returns, with Verde going down I-10 to face the Dynamo. By virtue of a 2-0 win over Team Orange in April, Verde leads the Copa Tejas standings, and a win away would effectively make the race between Austin and Dallas — which has happened before, but is not entirely on-brand for the sometimes-chaotic tournament.
And then, a week later, Austin will travel to Commerce City, Colo., taking on the Rapids in a crucial six-pointer, with both teams looking to claw out of the West basement in the next few weeks and legitimately back into the playoff race.
Also on the horizon: Leagues Cup, which will certainly in danger of being an afterthought after the North American-hosted World Cup, also represents a chance for Verde to get a fresh start in a cup competition following their Open Cup disaster earlier this year.
For those of us who care about Austin FC's fortunes, we're collectively back.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
If you missed the third-place game yesterday, you missed 10 goals. Spain and Argentina likely won't have that many when they face off at today's final.
Przemysław Płacheta played before Austin FC fans for the first time on Saturday. Jorge Alastuey was also part of the practice, and looked especially poised.
Saturday brings one last chance to watch Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé represent their countries. Also, we point to some ideas to improve the World Cup next time around.
Lionel Messi once again willed Argentina over the line, and his reward is facing a stultifying Spain team in the final. Also, MLS (remember that league?) resumes with four Thursday matches, including Dani Pereira's CFM debut.
This graphic from Futi sums up Sunday's World Cup final nicely — especially the "deserved win" feature.
Dominant in shots and chances throughout the match, Spain got an extra-time goal from sub Ferran Torres and withstood the brand of late flurry Argentina traded on throughout the knockout rounds, winning 1-0 in Sunday's final and closing out a fantastic tournament.
It was grueling, as finals can be, and Argentina showed a new level of thuggery in this match (particularly Leandro Paredes, who deserved a second yellow for multiple fouls in the match's final phases, and got a red after the match for attempting to fight victorious Spanish players). It was perhaps fitting, though, that after the joyous 10-goal third-place match, we got this counterweight in the final.
(Though I still contend the final would have been more fun with France in it.)
Now, Austin FC is back
My sister-in-law asked me about an hour after the match what I'm going to do with myself now that the World Cup's over. The answer's simple: Austin FC plays again on Wednesday! Today, Austin media gets its first chance to check in with interim head coach Davy Arnaud about preparations for the second half of the season — which we got a glimpse of with Saturday's open practice.
Then, Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium, with new Brad Stuver bobbleheads procured by some, fans will take in Verde taking on Seattle Sounders FC, who already started their second-half journey with a shocking 5-1 home loss to Portland last Thursday. Of course, Verde will be without the recently-traded Dani Pereira, and how Arnaud manages the midfield will be foremost in my narrative building as I watch the match unfold.
Then, Copa Tejas returns, with Verde going down I-10 to face the Dynamo. By virtue of a 2-0 win over Team Orange in April, Verde leads the Copa Tejas standings, and a win away would effectively make the race between Austin and Dallas — which has happened before, but is not entirely on-brand for the sometimes-chaotic tournament.
And then, a week later, Austin will travel to Commerce City, Colo., taking on the Rapids in a crucial six-pointer, with both teams looking to claw out of the West basement in the next few weeks and legitimately back into the playoff race.
Also on the horizon: Leagues Cup, which will certainly in danger of being an afterthought after the North American-hosted World Cup, also represents a chance for Verde to get a fresh start in a cup competition following their Open Cup disaster earlier this year.
For those of us who care about Austin FC's fortunes, we're collectively back.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
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World Cup Daily: July 19, the final
If you missed the third-place game yesterday, you missed 10 goals. Spain and Argentina likely won't have that many when they face off at today's final.
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Przemysław Płacheta played before Austin FC fans for the first time on Saturday. Jorge Alastuey was also part of the practice, and looked especially poised.
World Cup Daily: July 18, the third-place match
Saturday brings one last chance to watch Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé represent their countries. Also, we point to some ideas to improve the World Cup next time around.
World Cup Daily: Storylines and MLS matches(!) for July 16
Lionel Messi once again willed Argentina over the line, and his reward is facing a stultifying Spain team in the final. Also, MLS (remember that league?) resumes with four Thursday matches, including Dani Pereira's CFM debut.