'We know what's at stake': Austin FC head coach says he's taking lessons from last year to lead team to playoffs

With just a week until the team's first public match and a few weeks before the 2022 season, Austonia's Claire Partain sat down with Austin FC Head Coach Josh Wolff to discuss last year's highs and lows and what to expect for Round Two of MLS soccer in Austin.

Here's a look at what's changed and what's to come from the Verde chief himself.

Lessons from last season

With growing pains and the pressures of a new program, the team earned just nine wins to end up second-to-last in the Western Conference. Many frustrated fans began pegging all of the club's issues on Wolff himself.

But Wolff said he knows what he signed up for, and he won't bow to criticisms anytime soon.

"We understand we're in a fishbowl, we're quite exposed," Wolff said. "I'm not in control of what people say and do on social media... I understand the benefits that we all need to have proper expectations, and keep in mind that the majority of our attention is extremely good."

Even with just a handful of wins, the season was marked with joyful firsts—from first goals to first wins, to first games at the sold-out Q2 Stadium.

Wolff said that excitement isn't going away anytime soon.

"I think momentum will absolutely continue," Wolff said. " "It's incredible, really. I've been in this league a long, long time, and these people are passionate, they're genuine and authentic... these players adore their fans and fans have adored them."

Coming into their own

Austin's enjoyed just three weeks of offseason so far, and COVID has once again limited certain opportunities for players to build camaraderie. But Wolff said things are different this year—on and off the pitch.

This season, the team has already united its new players with last year's crew through in-team dinners and golf trips that would have been inconceivable last season due to COVID.

That's translated to better communication and a more comfortable team spirit.

"We have values and a foundation that are there to live and die by for us as players and as coaches. They're non-negotiables," Wolff said. "And I think we're seeing an investment in the emotional side and the communication side."

With the trial-and-error of last year under their belt and what seems to be a well-stocked roster, Wolff said it's also been easier to comfortably build on their identity in preseason.

"I think we've layered in some balance that didn't exist last year, structural things," Wolff said. "We want to entertain, we want to score goals and want to win, and I think there's a more responsible way for us to go about that... that's what we've been focusing on these first three weeks."

Wolff credits the leadership of Verde vets, like Captain Alex Ring, as well as a lineup of newcomers from around the world in the team's newfound balance.

New signees including midfielders Ethan Finlay and Felipe Martins and striker Maxi Urruti, who scored in the team's preseason match Wednesday, add 10+ years each of MLS experience and leadership.

"(They) command respect, they also come in really understanding who they are," Wolff said. "The level of intensity and the level of quality that's already been enhanced and grown is quite clear.

And while the team still needs to iron out some kinks, including finding a balance in possession and better positional play, Wolff has high hopes for this season.

"We know what's at stake this year," Wolff said. "We're going to make the playoffs and we're going to be competing. That's exactly what my expectations are."