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Things are looking up, Austin FC fans.
With the Q2 Stadium and the St. David's Performance Center both on track to be completed by late March or early April, Austin FC is looking forward to the possibility of "large crowds" for their home opener, Austin FC President Andy Loughnane said.
In an announcement on Monday, Loughnane gave an update on COVID protocol, ticketing and construction progress ahead of the team's first season.
Loughnane said that although there has been no definitive protocol, the team is looking to host plenty of fans for their first-ever home game against the San Jose Earthquakes on June 19.
"While we are not quite yet in position to provide a definitive answer given the changing (and hopefully improving) conditions, I speak on behalf of our entire organization when I share that it is our hope to be in position to consider safely hosting a large crowd for our home opener on June 19," Loughnane said. "And given that our first home match is scheduled for a date that is over three months away from today, Austin FC has the unique benefit of continuing to be observant and patient as conditions and protocols evolve around us."
As they continue to monitor the pandemic in the coming months, fans will have something new to look forward to: guided stadium tours. With COVID restrictions relaxing, Loughnane said that season ticket holders, fans and partners can look forward to a fluid tour schedule before the home opener.
Both stadium construction and ticket announcements are still on schedule as well. Loughnane said that the team is still planning on releasing ticketing information on the home opener between May 19 and 24, alongside general single match tickets for regular-season home matches. While nothing is set in stone, Loughnane said that season ticket holders can plan on having access to the home opener vs. San Jose. If the stadium opens at 100% capacity, approximately 5,000 single match tickets will be available to the public per match, and Loughnane recommends looking to join the Waitlist Membership to stay updated.
While the stadium's completion is on the horizon, some finishing touches and offsite projects are still in the works. Loughnane said that the site is in position to reach a certificate of occupancy within the coming weeks, but here's some things that still need work:
- Installation of new traffic signals on both Burnet and Braker
- Development of the "Bright Verde Way" a vehicle and pedestrian road that will connect to Burnet
- Installation of directional signs on surrounding roadways
- Installing furniture and specialty signs which will be worked on throughout April and May
Unfortunately, even Loughnane has not been briefed on the rest of Austin FC's season schedule, but he hopes to find out in the next 10-14 days. Around 10 days after the announcement, Loughnane said he hopes the team will be able to release broadcast information for each match.
"We know you are very anxious to learn the dates of the remaining 31 regular season matches that have yet to be announced … and I know Claudio and Josh are equally as eager," Loughnane said. "As much as I wish I was in position to share a solid projection for the release of a full schedule announcement, I don't have an exact date just yet (although I do hope it can be released in the next 10-14 days)."
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Popular
Austin FC kept rival FC Dallas to a draw Saturday night as it pulled off a 2-2 comeback. (Austin FC/Twitter)
Despite a 2-0 deficit, there was a pot of gold for Austin FC after all as it celebrated its annual Pride Night with rainbows and a 2-2 comeback draw to FC Dallas Saturday night.
After three FC Dallas losses last season, the Dallas derby draw marks the first time Austin FC has tied against its Copa Texas rival. Austin continues to edge over FC Dallas as it sits at 3rd in the MLS West.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the match:
A somber start
¡Ya Basta! Enough! End Gun Violence. #uvaldestrong
— Los Verdes (@LosVerdesATX) June 26, 2022
📷 @arubiophotospic.twitter.com/3PiVdTPtik
Decked out in colorful hues for LBGTQ+ Pride, Verde fans started the match on a somber note as they held up banners to take a stand against gun violence before the match.
As the national anthem began, fans held up banners with the names of each child that was killed in the Uvalde school shooting and a plea to "end gun violence."
The supporters' section was also dotted with Pride flags and a "Bans off Our Bodies" banner in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
FC Dallas earns a 2-0 lead
Paul Arriola is there to put it away and put @FCDallas ahead! pic.twitter.com/Z4AMmM6lp3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
That sober tone continued onto the pitch. With midfielder Daniel Pereira's absence due to a red card, the Verde and Black lost two goals to FC Dallas by the 70th minute of play.
FC Dallas played it sneaky for the first half of the match, giving Austin FC plenty of room to hold possession as it waited to strike on a Verde error. That mentality proved dangerous for Austin as Dallas' Paul Arriola took advantage of Brad Stuver's deflection to score the first goal of the night in the 57th minute of play.
Dallas struck once more as Brandon Servant pushed past the Verde line to score the second goal of the match.
#DTID double their lead!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
The substitute Brandon Servania with a fine finish within five minutes of coming on. 💥 pic.twitter.com/IZm0YsPxG5
Austin FC strikes back
Sebastián Driussi pulls one back!#AustinFC are still in this one. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Yoi0x768jb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
But energy quickly returned to Austin's favor thanks to Designated Player Sebastian Driussi, who scooted past several FC Dallas defenders alongside Moussa Djitte to snag an unlikely first goal for Austin.
A full Verde comeback
Late drama in this Texas Derby!@AustinFC ties it up, Danny Hoesen with the diving header. 😱 pic.twitter.com/Jk2f4fIEXG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
Austin's subs proved deadly as momentum returned to the home team toward the end of the match. A well-placed cross from Nick Lima—and a diving header from a fresh-legged Danny Hoesen—helped the team secure the draw with a second Verde goal in the 84th minute of play.
Hoesen, who was Austin's first starting striker last season, has now scored two goals with the team after a yearlong injury stuck him on the bench.
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(Bob Daemmrich)
Hours following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that guaranteed a constitutional right to an abortion, on Friday, about 1,000 people gathered in Republic Square with signs calling for change.
The rally, organized by the group Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights Texas, started at the federal courthouse on Republic Square on Friday at 5 p.m. before the crowd marched to the Texas Capitol. More protests are expected to ensue over the weekend.
People showed up with all types of signs like Mindy Moffa holding up, "Keep your filthy laws off my silky drawers."
Austin joined cities across the country that saw protests for a women's right to an abortion after the ruling.
According to a recent UT poll, 78% of Texas voters support abortion access in most cases.
Sabrina Talghade and Sofia Pellegrini held up signs directed at Texas laws. A Texas trigger law will ban all abortions from the moment of fertilization, starting 30 days after the ruling. When state legislators passed the trigger law last summer, it also passed laws for more protection of firearms, including the right to open carry without a permit.
Lili Enthal of Austin yells as around 1,000 Texans marched to the Texas Capitol.
From the Texas Capitol, Zoe Webb lets her voice be heard against the Supreme Court ruling.
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