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.
Austin FC can't win Copa Tejas on Saturday night, but can certainly lose it facing FC Dallas in Frisco. We talk about outperforming one's xG, a new goalkeeper, and playoff hopes with a Toros expert.
Next Eleven is an Austin FC program created to use the power of soccer to encourage development in young people. Ilie Sánchez and Jorge Alastuey spoke to students Wednesday as club ambassadors.
Facundo Torres has been performing at close to the level you'd expect a designated player to be performing at. But for a good stretch of the season, he was (perplexingly) not.
Austin FC interim head coach Davy Arnaud insists his team is playing the same way each match. But Sunday's win over Vancouver required some unusual grit and timely goals.
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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