Austin FC salutes fans, looks ahead to ‘really important’ offseason as inaugural MLS season comes to an end
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AUSTIN (KXAN) – It’s no secret that Austin knows a thing or two about hosting professional soccer games.
The results hadn’t always gone as Austin FC in the club’s first MLS season – but as this season ended with the team’s final home game at Q2 Stadium, there were plenty of positive results.
It starts with the team’s vibrant fan base and the electrifying atmosphere they’ve created in their new home, said Andy Loughnane, president of Austin FC.
“We have created something special here at Q2 Stadium,” said Loughnane before the team’s last home game of the 2021 season against Sporting Kansas City. “And when I say ‘we’, it’s really the fans.
“I think that alone marks it out as a 2021 success,” he added.
Austin FC fans break out at Q2 after scoring a goal against Houston in the second half. (Chris Tavarez / KXAN)
Although the team struggled on the pitch, especially outside the Q2 stadium, the off-field season was a complete success.
The club was sustained by the significant local support in Austin, which is reflected in the consistently high attendance figures at home.
According to data from SoccerStadiumDigest.com, the stadium has the fifth highest average attendance among the 27 teams in the MLS.
This was driven by fan groups like Los Verdes and Austin Anthem, while the band La Murga de Austin set the tone with their music and chants in the stadium.
The carnival atmosphere has attracted national attention. Gregg Berhalter, coach of the US men’s national team, cited the atmosphere in the Q2 stadium as one of the reasons why his team keeps returning to the city.
Austin FC celebrate a goal in a 4-1 win over Portland Timbers at Q2 Stadium (Image: KXAN)
The USA last defeated Jamaica 2-0 in front of a sold out crowd on October 7th in the Q2 stadium. The stadium has also attracted Mexico’s national team, who will face Chile in an exhibition game in Austin next month.
The success structure is in place for Austin FC. What’s next is a “really important” off-season, according to Loughnane.
“We want to grow, and one of the ways we grow is that our chances of reaching the playoffs keep getting bigger,” he said.
“We want performance in the field to grow with the growth of the company. For us this is a really important offseason to take stock of everything we think could be improved and we will be spending a lot of time on it in the offseason. “
Loughnane also stressed that over the winter months he would like to hear from his employees about what they can improve in 2022.
The US men’s national soccer team trains before their World Cup qualifier against Jamaica at Q2 Stadium in Austin (Image: KXAN / Harley Tamplin)
“As a company, we monitor feedback, we encourage feedback, and we will use the off-season to make changes,” he said.
As the club looks back on its founding year and contemplates change, the fan groups that have played such a large role in Austin FC’s off-field success will do the same.
Los Verdes’ Derek Ensign said the group and La Murga de Austin will add new songs and make changes to current songs as they work to improve the overall stadium experience.
“Maybe there are more banners and flags all over the stadium and the like,” said Ensign.
Fan groups like Los Verdes are hoping to work with the club in the off-season to make more changes, Ensign said.
Austin FC fans celebrate a goal against FC Dallas in the second half of an MLS soccer game on Sunday, August 29, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (AP photo / Michael Thomas)
They hope to find out how to add more visible space for banners in the fan area, how to distribute song sheets around the stadium, and how they can help people keep track of what song is being played.
With more than 20,000 football fans flocking to part of North Austin regularly year-round, some businesses in the area have seen a boom – most notably Hopsquad Brewing and Circle Brewing, which are right outside the stadium on West Braker Lane .
“They host serious events 20 times a year,” said Ensign. “We really appreciate the companies that are taking up this challenge, but it is an opportunity for them.”
The stadium also has an impact on public transport.
Austin FC fans cheer after the team’s 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers in an MLS soccer game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, August 21, 2021. (AP Photo / Chuck Burton)
Capital Metro said it saw an increase in the number of passengers on MetroRail and the 803 and 383 buses on Austin FC match days.
“We know that Austin FC fans increase our passenger traffic on match days, and we are grateful to them and all special event attendees for choosing transit as a safe and reliable option,” said a spokesman.
Work on CapMetro’s new McKalla station, located outside the Q2 stadium, is expected to begin next May.
The station is expected to open to traffic in autumn 2023.
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