Welcome to Capital City Soccer’s Verde Roundup! Here are some of the biggest midweek stories to hold you over until matchday.
Another first for Austin FC…while a midweek match is nothing new, they travel to North Carolina to face the newest MLS franchise Charlotte FC for the first time on Thursday.
Two players added to Austin FC’s injury list ahead of tomorrow’s match. Seemingly out of nowhere, key contributors on offense and defense appear to be out for the Charlotte match. Julio Cascante is a no-go with a hamstring and Maxi Urruti is questionable with a back injury. Wolff likely sidelines both ahead of a very busy July schedule.
Summer transfer season is around the corner and rumors are swirling about Cecilio Dominguez’s future with the club. Ceci hasn’t made a peep on the 20-man roster since his suspension by MLS. Wolff says he’s working hard during the week to make the pitch. Rumors paint a different picture, saying a going away party was being held for the Dominguez family in Austin. See Wolff’s comments about recent rumors in our press conference quotes below.
CapMetro making moves to start construction on the rail stop at McKalla. They’re in the final stages to buy a strip of land on Delta Drive across from Q2 Stadium, according to a recent CapMetro board meeting. More about plans for the train station can be found in our transportation guide.
MLS Power Rankings — Austin FC No. 5 in a Week 16. If you take stock in MLS power rankings, then you’ll be happy to know ATX climbed one place after a draw against Dallas last week. Western Conference clubs LAFC and Seattle rank ahead of Austin—two teams Los Verdes beat and tied, respectively.
Reminder: It’s MLS All Star voting szn. Be sure to cast your Fan XI ballot and sprinkle in a bunch of Austin FC players. You can vote once per day until the poll closes on July 1. The MLS All-Stars vs LIGA-MX All-Stars game will be held on August 10 at Allianz Field. It’d be mighty impressive if Austin was represented in year two in the league.
Wolff’s Words of the Week
Here are some highlights from Coach Wolff’s midweek presser on June 29.
On seeing McKinze Gaines in a different kit “We were obviously sad to see him go. Being a local, being an Austinite, it was I think his dream to be part of this. He’s found ways to contribute with Charlotte. He brings a level of verticality; his speed is recognizable. He’s getting more minutes than he probably would have gotten here, so I think it’s a good situation for him.” On what he thinks about Charlotte “They’re a good home team. They have a good group. Good speed up front. A couple DPs that can be difference-makers. It’ll be challenging.” On Urruti going straight to the locker room after being subbed out on Saturday “I don’t think Maxi was pissed and upset. He took a bad knock early on and it affected him physically. He wasn’t putting in…he’s tireless in his ability to run and compete and arrive in the box [which] makes Maxi so valuable to our group. It wasn’t his night so we brought in other players.” On Cecilio Dominguez and Rodney Redes headed back to Paraguay “They’ve been training with us all week, as they have been all year, so I think their attitude and work rate has been fantastic. It hasn’t changed. I’m pleased with what they’re doing during the week and when they get their opportunity in games, hopefully they’ll find a way to contribute. Those things that are happening with agents, we don’t get too concerned with.”
Training Scenes
With Urruti injured, is this a bit of foreshadowing for Thursday?
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