In the closing stages of their inaugural season, Austin FC has been a refreshing addition for sport deprived, soccer-loving, and prideful Austinites. Being Austin’s first professional sports team, the team’s home field, Q2 stadium, consistently sold out it’s home games throughout the summer and into the school year, and oftentimes away stadiums are plagued with Austin FC jerseys as well. 

The 200 million dollar Q2 stadium was designed with a section solely for fans interested in standing, chanting, drumming, and noise making to make a thrilling atmosphere for the rest of the fans and to motivate the 11 black and green jerseys on the pitch. 

Unfortunately, this motivation has been of no use, as Austin FC sits last place in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Western Conference. With only 19 points and 5 wins through 25 games, the team, the coaching staff, and the organization’s front office has severely let down the city of Austin. 

Additionally, the team ranks second to last in goals scored, which is simply embarrassing. Joshua Wolff, the head coach, has shown a lack of composure in high intensity game situations, creating game-plans and tactics that simply do not fit the play style of his players and the league. 

On the contrary, the team consists of oversea signings, mainly from South and Central America, college graduates, and MLS veterans selected in the expansion draft, the majority of which are average at best, leaving Wolff with little to work with. The team’s captain, Alex Ring, a 30 year old midfielder signed from  New York City FC (NYCFC), displays zero leadership on the field, allowing the rest of the players to lose focus and structure in game. 

Overall, the level of play and work ethic needed to be a successful organization is absent. Making the playoffs in an inaugural season is very difficult and not an expectation, but the team owes it to the city of Austin to not be associated with the MLS bottom feeders. There is plenty of time to improve, but the need for change is evident. In the meantime, faithful Austinites remain hopeful their insistent cheers will be rewarded with results.