Austin FC's not-so-great half season
It's about midway through the Major League Soccer season, and Austin FC has very little to show for it.
Why it matters: The ownership brought in new players over the winter as part of a high-dollar makeover, but the squad has scored just 13 goals through 18 games, second-lowest in the league.
Yes, but: In MLS' generous postseason qualification scheme, if the season ended today, Austin's 6-5-7 record would currently be just good enough to get into the playoffs.
The latest: The Verde and Black is coming off a 2-0 victory in last Saturday in Colorado — its first regular season MLS victory since mid-April.
"I'm really, really glad and happy we won today because this win took a long time to come when it should have come in the month of May," Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez said last weekend.
Neither goal came from Brandon Vázquez, their off-season striker acquisition, who's notched only four goals so far.
The intrigue: Q2 Stadium hosts the 2025 MLS All-Star Game on July 23, and no Austin player is expected to be voted onto the team.
Estévez is coach and can select a dozen players himself, and keeping with tradition, is likely to pick at least one of the home side's players for the squad.
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USA Today
8 minutes ago
- USA Today
Texas Longhorns look to capitalize on star-studded recruiting weekend
Texas Longhorns look to capitalize on star-studded recruiting weekend The Texas Longhorns and coach Steve Sarkisian hosted a weekend of huge official visits. This was the second of three weekends in June for official visits and Texas just hosted one of the most star-studded in the nation. recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman has the intel on several of the prospects that were on the 40 Acres in the past few days, including some predictions. Spiegelman predicts five-star OT Felix Ojo (Mansfield, TX) will commit to Texas. Last week, Ojo cancelled an official visit to Oklahoma before heading to Austin for the UT OV. "There is a sense that Texas closed strong on this official visit and left a big enough impression on the elite OT ahead of his July commitment," Spiegelman said. "There is a strong sense that Ojo wont leave the state to play college football." The Austin-based recruiting expert also projects five-star LB Xavier Griffin (Gainesville, GA) will end up a Longhorn too. "It's down to Texas and Alabama with a June 26 commitment on the horizon," Spiegelman said. "No team has come on stronger with the four-star EDGE than the Longhorns. There's a sense Texas made another step forward with Griffin and his mother back in Austin this weekend." Another elite prospect in Austin this weekend was four-star DB Samari Matthews (Cornelius, NC), who was on campus for the second time. "My experience in Austin was amazing -- from the staff and players to the energy of the city itself," Matthews told Rivals. "What excites me most about the chance to play for Coach Sark is knowing he pushes his players to be their best in every way -- both on and off the field. At Texas, I know I'll be challenged to grow into the best version of myself, which aligns with the goals I've set for my future." Texas' main competition for Matthews is South Carolina. "The opportunity to learn from Coach Orphey and Coach (Duane) Akina ... I got to do some board work with both of them and let's just say we had a time. That experience made the idea of becoming a Longhorn even more exciting," Matthews said. "I'm feeling really good. I got a good look at the vision they see for me. My comfort with Coach Sark and Coach O is high. Those are my guys. Austin is nice city for sure." Spiegelman says he's close to calling it for the Longhorns. Four-star OT Zaden Krempin (Prosper, TX) is emerging as a Texas lean. He tells Rivals UT is rising to the top of his list. "I'm a perfect fit here," Krempin said. "Texas is only doing 45 official visits. They told us how they only wanted to bring guys that fit their program." LSU and Texas A&M both made a good impression on the North Texas prospect, but the Longhorns knocked it out of the park with Krempin over the weekend. "It was incredible, he said. "Texas has something special happening here. You can just feel it. I got to see a detailed plan for me from the strength and development piece to the OL room. Overall, it was awesome from the moment we got here. It was a good time. Austin is a cool place." Four-star LB Brayden Rouse (Marietta, GA) was also in town this weekend. Spiegelman says Texas is trending with the blue-chip. "They did a great job making me a priority for them and showing that," Rouse said. "Texas impressed me." Texas is battling Tennessee of Rouse. "The visit was great," he said. "It was good for me to get my family on campus and see what the school has to offer. I was impressed on their presentation on how they see me fitting in their scheme and program. I also had a great time spending time with the coaches and continuing to strengthen those relationships ... Texas has always been a school I could potentially see myself going to." Four-star DL Bryce Perry-Wright (Buford, GA) was on the 40 Acres for the sixth time this weekend. He says Texas is at the top of his list with Texas A&M and Clemson. "The overall visit was great," the Georgia native said. "I really felt like I could see myself fitting in at Texas — not just as a player, but as a person. There was a strong sense of belonging being on campus this weekend. The energy was good and I could honestly picture myself there." Perry-Wright tells Rivals he's very comfortable with the coaches, the city of Austin and principles of the Texas program. "It's a system I feel like I'd thrive in," he continued. "Bonding with the players and coaches, and just being around everybody again was a real highlight. The city itself and the atmosphere around Austin are special and the overall vibe from the people I was around this weekend made a strong impression. They showed real belief in me and my ability to make an impact early. That meant a lot. The coaches made me feel welcomed, valued and like they truly want me to be a part of what they're building." Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
NBC Sports
44 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Shane Smith and Mike Vasil look like two Rule 5 hits for the rebuilding Chicago White Sox
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Smith or Vasil very well could represent the last-place White Sox at the All-Star Game in Atlanta. Dan Uggla with the Florida Marlins in 2006 is the only player to be named an All-Star in the season after he was selected in the Rule 5 draft, according to Sportradar. Being a Rule 5 player is a unique situation in that first year, but Vasil said he doesn't think about it very often. 'I've spent my whole life trying to get here,' he said. 'So I think it's already hard enough, don't put more pressure on yourself.' The 6-foot-5 Vasil was selected by the New York Mets in the eighth round of the 2021 amateur draft out of the University of Virginia. He was picked by Philadelphia in the Rule 5 draft in December and then traded that same day to the Rays for cash. The White Sox are Vasil's fourth organization since the end of last season. 'It's a lot,' he said. 'But I think for me, at the same time, I guess you could say you feel wanted by a lot of different teams.' Vasil began the season in Chicago's bullpen, recording a 1.89 ERA in his first 18 appearances. He got his first career win when he pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings against Houston on May 4 and his first save when he got three outs at Cincinnati on May 14. But Vasil's six-pitch arsenal — highlighted by an effective sinker and sweeper — makes him a strong candidate for the rotation. He pitched four shutout innings in his second start at Texas. 'Not something that's unfamiliar for me,' he said of starting. 'I started all my minor league career, so in terms of routine I probably know this one a little bit better than my relief one right now.' Smith went right into Chicago's rotation during spring training — an unusual spot for a Rule 5 player. Since 2016, Luis Perdomo, Brad Keller and Mitch Spence are the only pitchers who made at least 20 starts in the majors in the season after they were selected in the big league phase of the Rule 5 draft. 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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea vs LAFC LIVE Updates, watch live, score, analysis, highlights
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