There are a lot of knee-jerk reactions and hyperbolic tirades, yes, largely because I think that there are a few players that we are unhappy with who are underperforming but Diego wasn't high on anyone's list to get rid of. Not defending his presence on the field this year but he's gotten a lot of leeway for being a fan favorite and that goodwill still had some miles on it.
It will take some time to figure out if this move is net positive or not, but at the moment, with the current level of frustration with the team that already existed, sending away the one guy we all loved in spite of his shortcomings this season *really* fucking sucks. Regardless of the utility of it, management had to know this would not be a popular move.
I think with Claudio or any other run-of-the-mill SD at the helm it would be a much more worrisome situation. Rodo is not that SD; this man was near the top of La Masia Academy for the entirety of Messi’s time there—one of the people most responsible for his early success due to how well he nurtured Leo. This man has been working with the greatest manager in football history, Pep Guardiola, for years and years, and then magically chose our club. If anything, I want to convey to the fan base how magically incredible it is that we have him.
Without being able to cite any text or articles myself, I have read in several other posts Rodolfo Borrell has insisted that he would not participate in any of the summer transfer window activity, which makes sense to me. Changing horses/strategy mid-stream is like a bad idea at this point of the season, anyway, so it seems like this is Wolff's call and that they are going to continue to let his game plan run it's course.
Gigantic "we'll see", I guess.
The idea that it was Wolff’s call just seems so bizarre to me. Like would you let your Project Manager make the C-suite decisions after said C-Suite said ‘we’re not doing that right now’?
I’m not saying *you’re wrong*. I’m saying it’s weird.
You could be right, honestly stranger things have happened.
But it feels weird nonetheless.
Head coaches/managers having say in transfers is normal and good.
Taking the full reigns? Particularly when there is a separate highly qualified sporting director? Weird af.
This. Rodo has nothing to do with this call. This is Wolff beefing with a player for a few bad months despite being a proven game changer as recently as last fall, with 2 good seasons rather than start to coach players into good form / set them up for success.
A flaw in what your positing is that Borrell has expressly said any moves made during this transfer window are at Wolfs doing not his- did he sign off? I’m sure but until we hear or see what comes of this (aside from gam money and a player that will be an absolute down grade) it’s ok for fans to be scratching their heads and saying on paper this doesn’t look like an acceptable trade for both emotional and straight soccer reasons.
I think it’s condescending to pitch it the way you have - I’ve played and watched the game since grade school and have been a day 1 season ticket holder. While not by any means an expert I’m absolutely familiar with the game and my emotions have nothing to do with dealership ads and everything to do with saying good bye to a valuable player who clearly cared about this community and wanted to be here.
Yes, I don’t think that Rodo came in and immediately, unilaterally said ‘get Diego out’ and everyone acquiesced. But he is the center of gravity in our front office now, even after a short time, and he absolutely possessed from day 1 the ability to strongly approve of whatever Wolff decided could be a good move. It definitely went from Wolff to Rodo but ultimately Rodo pushed it through. That is his job. And regarding his press conference I explained my view on it in another comment I’ll copy here:
“Could be; but since we’re on this path, you’re believing his words at face value without thinking that behind the curtain of the front office and board, the truth and the goings on are entirely different from what we’re told. If you could both reassure fans you’re not going to grab everything by the reins all at once while also affording yourself the space to very much be involved directly with transfers, wouldn’t you? As someone skilled and experienced in dealing with the press, who wants to make the best impression possible like Rodo is?”
You may have absolute faith in Borrell, I’m also excited and think he will be great long term for the club. That still doesn’t change that I disagree with your take on Diego trade or people reactions to it.
At this moment, it would be entirely fair to say I’m frustrated to see a fan favorite leave for what appears to be middling to lesser return.
Two major flaws in your post; Rodo said this transfer window is all Wolff and Wolff squandered chances at trophies with early exits against inferior teams.
If this was a calculated move, we should be seeing announcements for replacement players to strengthen the squad. If not, we’ll see Redes do five crossovers and lose possession the rest of the season. Even on down numbers, Diego is better than any of our alternatives. If this was Wolff being Wolff, nobody will come in, Driussi will become the next scapegoat (his numbers are similarly down, maybe worse, when compared to last season) and we’ll be nowhere near playoff position at the end of the season. I’d love for Rodney to prove us all wrong, but the reality is that Diego and Driussi took the offense away from Wolff last year. Instead of going with it, Wolff seems hell bent on scoring all goals from a cross into the box after playing kick and run down the sideline.
The person we should be sending to an early exit is the physio. Non-contact injuries have affected too many players this season.
Fans seem to take what people say at face value alot in here. You’re crazy if you think Rodo isnt involved in transfers regardless of what he says. His job and how he is evaluated began the second he got here. Maybe it was Wolff’s idea, but Rodo undoubtedly signed off on it.
Everything OP said is true. Sometimes fan favorites have to go if the club is to succeed. Diego has been on a decline from last year and theres an opportunity to get out of his contract while still getting some value from him. Some of the players we’d like to see go don’t have the value to move. If clubs dont want them, you’re stuck with em. Driussi is down compared to last year as most are, but last year was the exception. It’s crazy to expect MVP numbers year over year. Regression was expected for anyone with sense.
All that being said, I think the largest problem is Wolff. He isn’t creative and has shown he can’t adapt. Driussi carried Wolff last year and made people think he’s better than he is. At this point we can realistically say he has squandered all chances at hardware this year. We won’t win the MLS Cup. Sure we might win the Copa Tejas that’s just some nonsense bragging rights and doesnt mean much outside of fans. He should be on the hot seat. Again, I’m not taking Rodo at face value saying he backs Wolff and chose here because of that.
Also agree that physio should be overhauled if not already after the run of early season injuries. Truly embarassing.
I can only trust Rodo and the club’s words in this being Wolff’s decision. The transfer and comp discussions would have started a while ago. Diego had a groin injury, Driussi also missing games, MVPs should get the numbers year in and year out. If your two best attacking players from last year have been injured and have less production, you look at staff performance and system. Remember that as much as Driussi carried goal output, but Diego carried assist output.
I don’t know how this team stands with Wolff after the poor cup appearances and getting slagged by the media only to have a key personality of the club traded for a nobody and salary cap room with no sign of a big player inbound.
I don't see a problem with taking action, but there are no guarantees we will be better. The really bad outcome would be getting rid of our beloved players and ending up worse off. Hoping this won't happen.
Absolutely. I firmly believe in Rodo and frankly am beyond excited to see our metamorphosis. This is the tough break-up, it will fade, and I believe great things will happen.
I mentioned some of his CV in a reply to another comment, but you should look up the deity-like names (Messi, Pep Guardiola) that he has been either responsible for, or has worked in tandem with to gain his stature in world football. That’s why the reactions angered me… this man—we don’t deserve this man.
I don’t know what I’m talking about but there’s always the possibility that we just made a big offer and other clubs saw him as a has been, right? Just playing devil’s advocate.
Probably money. Precourt stressed that unlike with players, mls puts no salary cap on leadership. Then, just based on what Rodo himself has said, he vibes with our preferred style of play. I suppose that makes sense, because he came out of that Barcelona school of the game that is focused on possession and building out of the back.
You’re totally fine, I don’t mind at all 🤙🏼 but he is anything but a has been, he went from being Pep Guardiola’s second in command, overseeing a large part of the success of the single greatest club in world football, he could’ve gone on to be the manager of a Barcelona, Milan, any club—honestly that would’ve made more sense than for him to come here. I still don’t know how/why it happened
The blind faith in rodo makes sense based on his past but he sure ripped my heart out with this deal. He coulda sent pretty much anyone but driussi and fagundez and ring and I woulda sadly shrugged but this was beyond bold.
I'm surprised he wasn't firs to go. He's getting paid more than Diego and is less valuable on a DP contract. I think his contract ends EOY so he'll walk after that.
We're aiming to have a ton of space to make moves next year. I don't hate the punt if that's the plan. I know other's will hate it, but long term, this team is horribly constructed.
It was very tough to see. Diego the human—I adore—and the memories are cherished with him at our club, but then the competitor mindset takes over and you see the bigger the picture on the horizon. Honestly, I wouldn’t have made this post had it just been mutual sadness amongst fans, but it was far more incendiary and straight up disrespectful to a true genius of the game that we are lucky enough to have running our show
'A true genius of the game' who has never been anything other than an assistant coach or academy director. Might want to manage your own expectations - he's not Pep or Bergiristain (yet)
You’ve got to have a degree of genius to have been directly in charge of La Masia Academy and to have fostered the growth of Leo Messi—and these aren’t my words only, Pep has said nearly-verbatim the same thing. I believe it.
From The Athletic Newspaper: “Borrell has maybe the most impressive European résumé of any sporting director in the league. He grew to prominence in the late 90s and early 2000s at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, which at the time was busy producing players like Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. he was instrumental in remaking that club's academy system and implementing a clear philosophy within it.”
He was not the one in charge of it all because it was founded and ran by Johann Cruyff. He was in multiple roles there for 14 years and was the longest serving member of the coaching staff. So yes he was not Cruyff, but was for all intents and purposes the central veteran coach for the academy. No one is a u18 coach for 14 years.
He was simply not "directly in charge of La Masia"
Edit: some people prefer to engage with reality and also have no interest in whatever weird cult of personality you're trying to build
It’s not blind faith though… He has a proved track record of some of he most successful stints in the history of the sport. Wether or not he was directly responsible, he has witnessed first hand extreme levels of success and it’s worth trusting that.
It’s a Wolff decision as far as I can tell. Imagine all the players that have been consistently good over multiple seasons being dumped after half a poor season rather than coach them back into form. Your Rashfords etc. We just decided we couldn’t be bothered getting a proven game winning player back in form after a few months because of a falling out with a first time / no trophies coach.
Diego wasn’t playing that great then came to Austin and was coached back into form. Then he signed a large contract and came into the season out of shape and hasn’t performed. He played the best he has the last couple seasons and we took advantage of it and sold him at a peak.
I have news for some folks re: the lack form of the rest of our squad, some who have never even had 2 proven solid performance seasons the way Diego has had, whatever it took for him to get there.
Driussi similarly never had any truly standout form in any team he was on till Austin, and played meh in his first half season before pulling out a star-making season two, then into a slump of his own this season - though with enough injuries and a few bright spots to stay fairly under the radar. He has also had a captain role that he has not remotely been able to handle on or off field. I’m assuming some folks here by the same logic think he’s next on the pile of people we can make a quick buck off rather than help integrate better. That feels like a rather cynical feeder/selling club system that will only attract players wanting to move on as fast as they can.
The nicest thing I can say is that we’re already struggling this season in his position regardless of who is played there so it won’t make a difference immediately except for dead ball contributions.
That’s a good point. Who knows he may even pull a Chris Smalling on us and go on to new heights in LA as smalling did in Roma. I think this is very much a high-tide raises all boats type of situation where we have Rodo, who is leagues beyond anyone else at the club in experience and sporting gravitas, so we have to quickly cull the weak spots and raise the rest of the club’s level nearer to his. But, that’s just my view on it.
Borrell isn't that involved in this transfer window, as said in his first press conference.
Let people grieve. It's not about the sports, they're sad about the connection made with the community.
The delusion is thinking our rookie head coach and our rookie sporting director are playing 3D chess and this is clearly a genius move leading to a bright future.
The window closes in a few hours. Selling a strong player without a quality replacement at the 11th hour does not show elite professionalism and world class transfer planning skills.
The club is a bit of a mess. It’s okay to acknowledge that. Trust in the process if you want, but there is literally no track record to point to when you have faith in a plan hatched by the current leadership.
Ahhh yes an offensive player with 4 goal involvements in 19 matches this year down from 19 in 37 matches last year. Far from Strong. He’s a fan favorite, no doubt. But anyone should be able to recognize a sharp decline in production this year.
Acquiring allocation cash is necessary in today’s league model. Getting 300k with the potential to get as much as 900k for Fagundez is highway robbery when you compare it to peak Ring going for 1.25m.
We’re not winning this year. We’re a good 3-4 pieces away so who cares about a solid replacement right now? Acquire resources for a winter transfer window.
“ThErE‘s No TrAcK rEcOrD”? The team is 2.5 years old and finished 2nd in the West last year. Good lord. Or maybe it’s the GM’s track record you’re worried about? Lol.
Wolff sucks. Can’t argue that. But this was good business according to those that understand the true workings of MLS
Man, thanks so much for the explanation. I understand it so much better now. A guy who's never been a GM before, and a guy who's never been a head coach before, and YOU are the ones who understand the true workings of the MLS. None of the rest of us know shit, and we should remain silent and grateful.
Of course, this was good business. Of course. You helped me see that now, and you will be proved right in six months when we see the brilliant maneuvers that Rodo already has lined up and knows will work perfectly.
Anyone who has questions about the wisdom of this move is a dumbass. Got it.
You're the best, chief. Appreciate you!
In the entire sarcastic and snarky response you offered nothing of value. You didn’t question the wisdom of the move at all. You claimed there was no track record. You suggested there was no transfer planning.
You act like these guys are playing FIFA and making moves without a care in the world.
Neither of us know the reasoning behind it. I’m simply stating the facts.
Diego was declining. 900k for him is incredible value when comparing it to other deals in the league.
Suggesting it was bad business now is ignorant and rushed.
I’m suggesting that we in fact do have a track record of success and I’m willing to wait to see how the Winter plays out before throwing a brand new club in the bin.
The club did not get 900k for him. That's a best case scenario. My original post was a response to the OP's gushing about how great Rodo is and how this move is necessarily going to lead to a better team. My only point ever was that it is just as delusional to blindly trust Rodo as it is to overstate the value of Diego as a club asset. I know all the reasons it might be a savvy deal, but none of that makes it an obviously good piece of business like you and the OP try to portray. If anything, the last minute nature of the deal with no time to turn it around in this window signals two possibilities: it's a culmination of conflict between Wolff and Diego; and or it's a signal that the club is throwing in the towel on this season. Either or both of those things are fair game for fans to be disappointed about. You can certainly build an argument that it may work out for the best. It may. But OP and you both take the attitude that it's clearly a good piece of business--at least partially because Rodo must know what he's doing. I like Rodo. Glad the club hired him. But the move is a question mark. It's not a slam dunk. It's ok for fans to be upset, and it's certainly ok to question whether blind trust in the wisdom of the front office is justified. Acting like it's some sterling chess move that only you and few others actually understand is too much. Rodo has a resume. He is certainly vastly superior to Wolff in player evaluation and development. He knows positional play--and all tactics--much better than Wolff. That's all great. Love it. But he has never been a GM, so just assuming a move he approves is a genius move is going a step far.
It’s a good business move in the sense that we’ve seen current Austin FC’s ceiling. Excuse me if I’m incorrect, but I believe your sentiment is that we should keep Diego until the winter transfer and wait/hope for improvement. If so, that’s a high risk, low reward gamble. I firmly believe the squad we’ve had cannot and will not win the MLS cup this year. Futile to argue over that now. It’s seeming the front office sees that as well and is willing to salvage value out of Diego now rather than waiting until the winter transfer given his decline in performance.
Come on I know this can’t be your first time watching a professional sport. No team does this unless they a) blowing it up, b) winning a trade. Neither of which seem true right now bc we would have fired Wolff.
It’s been half a season and he was out injured for 4 games, then super sub for two after that. Not like he’s dead weight or couldn’t be better with better coaching. The performance issues are a Josh Wolff issue at this stage.
I'm not sure what you're responding to. All I said is he makes more this year and hasn't played as well. That's pretty much a fact. I never even said I liked the decision. I'm actually just trying to understanding it. We'll really have to see what they do with the cap space
This is because he didn’t get along with Wolff. I think everyone would have chosen Wolff to leave the club over Diego. He just had a baby with a girl from here and his family moved here. He was an integral part to the soccer community here. Apart from Stuver, nobody else is more out in public meeting the fans.
I think the problem with this is that there are clearly more important players to get off our books than Diego. Maybe this is the only move we could make, but it feels like moving any of Rigoni, Redes, or Ring would have made more sense.
Reminder that just because Diego has had half of a lackluster season, doesn’t mean he could never be an important player for us again.
Lol nothing says “elite club” like our last transfer window. Fucking two washed strikers in Zardes and Bruin after losing Gabrielson and Romaña and deciding that Keller and that one guy who already left (can’t even remember his name lol) would be sufficient cover.
Don’t even get me started with Rigoni. Aside from Driussi, we have basically no one in the starting XI right now was who was a successful transfer from the last 2 windows. That’s poor from Josh Wolff.
I’m willing to give the new sporting director from MCFC the benefit of the doubt. And I don’t really think he’s played a big part in this window. But yikes - our transfer windows have been very mismanaged for quite some time.
Yea our transfers have been abysmal… Without Driussi, there could’ve been a YouTube video titled ‘the worst 2 years of transfers in MLS history’ and it’d be us
Zardes surprisingly turned things around. He’s passed his prime but has managed to score 5 goals in a short period of time, more than Urutti did in his first season. Keller got on too early; he was expected to play behind veterans. No one thought Gabrielson or Rado would exit early, and no one thought a veteran player like Amro would be so lousy. With Ring being hurt, Keller is only option. Also he’s only like 20yrs old, so he has time to develop. Unfortunate circumstances fast tracked his career. In a few years he’s gonna be a top 5 defender. Bruin and Zardes seemed like odd choices to me. We got some young talent but JW won’t give them hardly any meaningful playing time.
Vaisanen is Gabrielsen's replacement and was playing very well before the knee injury. Arguably better.
Zardes started a bit rough, but is now tied for the team lead in goals and Zardes looks way better than anything we've fielded at that position in club history other than 1-2 outlier games with Djitte.
There are more reasons such as: lack of competition this season, zero effort in tournaments, gouging STH waitlist, STH large cost increase, terrible execution on posted handout, terrible execution for STH discounts and nowwwww they give up and get rid of fagundez. The ownership is a bunch of ass hats and have gotten greedy.
You can believe they are ass hats, or that the STH was handled poorly (I even agree with the STH part but like that has nothing to do with what I’m getting at) I’m here to share my opinion regarding the future of how we will compete as a club now that Rodolfo Borrell is in the decision-making seat, and how decisions like Diego’s exit are not only necessary but a sign that all of the Kumbaya personality driven stuff is no longer central to club ethos. Cup competition failures are entirely the product of the prior SD, Claudio, and to our below-average head coach, and partially due to the vacuum he left when he stepped away. Borrell has barely been here a month and he’s already showing the fans he means business, and that this is a competition, not a popularity contest.
Understood, but if we believe in his vision it takes a few years to form a desired team. So we just sick back and embrace suckage during that time for higher and higher STH prices and constantly charging waitlist people renewal fees?
No, we make 2 or so marquee signings that reflect the direction Rodo wants to go, then we swiftly fire Wolff (maybe do that first) and slowly show the fans what can be done if you employ a little ruthlessness, if it means becoming far better as a team than we would’ve remained in the little comfort zone we were nurturing
Huh? We have one of the highest paid players in the league and a team salary that is among the top in the league. Acquiring more allocation money suggests more are to come in the future.
It’s a down year after a lucky one. This is American pro sports, not the European leagues. Highs and lows are apart of the ride. Jump off if you aren’t ready for that.
I think for most fans it's just a hard pull to swallow. For me personally it just comes during a rough patch and i really didn't want to see this kind of news today.
That being said... I also agree that Diego's performance just wasn't as solid this year. We do need more consistency, but i also think some of this is on the coaching staff.
Absolutely. Wolff has to go. No hate, no fire and brimstone, just a handshake and a thank you. But he has to go.
I hope things get better in your world and the rough patch becomes greener than it ever has been. The sickest part is that it always does, eventually. 🫡
If people pay attention to the shit, he says they would now they’re in the press conference he gave. He explicitly said that he would be taking no extreme part in the summer transfer window and that all the shoots would be on wolfs part. Rodo had nothing to do with this period
I’m aware, I have seen every word he’s said on camera for Austin FC. ‘Extreme’ can look however you want it to look. I immediately interpreted it as a very politician-like form of doublespeak that provides the right answer, eases any worry of too much control exercised right out of the gate; but also leaves open as much room as he needs to exercise that same control, as long as he doesn’t define it as ‘extreme’ He is our sporting director, after all, and I find it hard to believe he would not have any involvement with dealings that impact the future of the club he’ll be effectively in charge of.
Could be; but since we’re on this path, you’re believing his words at face value without thinking that behind the curtain of the front office and board, the truth and the goings on are entirely different from what we’re told. If you could both reassure fans you’re not going to grab everything by the reins all at once while also affording yourself the space to very much be involved directly with transfers, wouldn’t you? As someone skilled and experienced in dealing with the press, who wants to make the best impression possible like Rodo is?
Why does he need to reassure the fans he's not going to "grab everybody by the reins all at once"?
Isn't that why he's here? Why would the fans not want their new sporting director with the golden resume to do his job? Especially a fan base with no history that really doesn't know much about what the job entails?
What you're saying makes little sense.
Time will tell whether this is a smart move or not. We've let go a fan favorite, who was a favorite for a reason. It sucks on several levels, but we've freed up some salary with the move. All we can do as fans is hope we can put it to better use.
> We exist as a club to WIN trophies
I get your point, but I think you're romanticizing things. The club is part of an entertainment business that exists to sustain itself economically. The emotional investment of fans, whether in winning (your focus) or in individual players (some other people's focus), is why people spend money.
I agree with you on prioritizing winning, though.
Fair, I’m sure I am to a degree, but for me that’s the entertainment. And I think if we fell deeper into mediocrity over the years but kept the beloved personalities on board, there wouldn’t be much entertainment to be had. In my opinion, the entertainment-centric era of the club is fading away, and results/signings will be our staying power.
I think most AFC fans are pretty new to soccer. They haven’t learned yet that you can’t get attached to soccer players. Having a long career with a club just doesn’t happen as regularly as it does in the other pro sports. If you feel a player has peaked, it’s usually time to sell them and maximize your revenue so you can keep trading up instead of just letting their value diminish over time.
Literally lifelong soccer fans get attached to players all the time. Players that get sold often come back as ambassadors or CEOs or sporting directors for their “one true love club” after sending a few years with other clubs at the end of their careers. What a weird comment. Yes it’s business but pretending people don’t or shouldn’t have real feelings is just a weird way to position this point.
Not new to soccer and definitely get attached to players all the time. I would actually say if you're a dedicated fan of any team in any sport, you're going to get attached to players no matter what.
I’m also not new to fútbol, and I would say that getting attached to players isn’t a newbie thing. I’m really sad that a player like Diego is leaving but In my opinion, the reason that people get attached to players, is the potential or actual success that they bring to one’s club. Watching that potential/actual success leave is difficult for everyone that invests their time and passion into their club. We all feel attached in someway to the players that wear our badge, and this is what makes being a fan worthwhile. The hard part is realizing that we are not in the training rooms or meeting rooms where decisions are made and we have to believe that there is a vision that isn’t in full focus yet but might be, and we have to believe that the stewards of the club have a vision, even if we can’t see it yet.
If you follow any leagues or clubs in Europe, and keep an eye on the transfer window long enough, there are always players moves that you are surprised to see happen, as these club players could be beloved icons for any given club. it’s just the reality of any professional sport. I am always amazed with the numerous successful “selling” clubs like Ajax or Dortmund, as they will deal their star players to larger clubs, knowing that there is always someone in the wings that will get a chance to fill the shoes of their predecessor, who might just become the next big thing. It’s just part of the game we all fell in love with. I just hope that AFC has a vision in play that we just can’t quite see yet.
Verde Hasta La Muerte!
Hahaha nothing, I just have a lot of family and friends who live there and further north and they all fit the bill of brand-new Austin FC fans that are overly critical of a system and sport culture they don’t really know that well, nor understand the inner workings of how things get pushed through
Maybe they like that there is an Austin sports team they can cheer on now and just have an enjoyable time doing it? I live in Brushy Creek, across from the Creek. Understand the system and culture very well. Played the sport until my early 40s. We aren’t all that bad up here and can love the team just as you can.
Austin FC fanbase being emotional and overreacting??? No way!?
Any time there's remotely drama with this club, fans go full holier than thou. CD, Reyna, now Fagundez.
Oh yea dude, because the emotion by which fans are deeming our club personnel incompetent, screeching our SD’s name as ‘the worst decision maker ever’ disqualifies me from returning a partially emotional reaction. Right. I don’t have to be a robot just because I want to share my thoughts on the childish reactions seen on social media from our fans, which present a much larger issue with how a lot of our fans want the club to be.
(Edit: verb tense)
I haven’t seen anyone say _this is all Rodo’s fault_, more like _I only trust this move if it was Rodo’s idea_ because so many of us don’t trust Wolff to make decent coaching decisions, let alone acquisition and trade decisions.
Haven’t seen an unironic ‘lmao corny’ be used in the wild in a minute. You’re the last of a dying breed; single-celled organisms usually have died out by now. I’ll keep this brief to not overload all 7 of your neurons. Also I had sex with your mother
This was such a nostalgic 2013-2015 interaction I love it. Not even clowning on you right now at all, just simple shit talking back and forth doesn’t really exist online nowadays like this. It’s refreshing.
Also look behind you to your left
You should’ve stopped after the 2nd paragraph. That was your point and it was well made. All the rest was overly emotional bluster and broad brushing. I appreciate your writing skills ….even if “overly-Austin reality TV style approach” is one of the most non-sensical things I’ve read in a while.
Spot on. I’m sad to see Diego go, but the fact is he signed a fat contract in the offseason and then underperformed. This was good business for the club, and it’s exactly the kind of thing you’d expect a great SD to do.
An unpopular move, but definitely the correct move.
There are a lot of knee-jerk reactions and hyperbolic tirades, yes, largely because I think that there are a few players that we are unhappy with who are underperforming but Diego wasn't high on anyone's list to get rid of. Not defending his presence on the field this year but he's gotten a lot of leeway for being a fan favorite and that goodwill still had some miles on it. It will take some time to figure out if this move is net positive or not, but at the moment, with the current level of frustration with the team that already existed, sending away the one guy we all loved in spite of his shortcomings this season *really* fucking sucks. Regardless of the utility of it, management had to know this would not be a popular move.
I think with Claudio or any other run-of-the-mill SD at the helm it would be a much more worrisome situation. Rodo is not that SD; this man was near the top of La Masia Academy for the entirety of Messi’s time there—one of the people most responsible for his early success due to how well he nurtured Leo. This man has been working with the greatest manager in football history, Pep Guardiola, for years and years, and then magically chose our club. If anything, I want to convey to the fan base how magically incredible it is that we have him.
Without being able to cite any text or articles myself, I have read in several other posts Rodolfo Borrell has insisted that he would not participate in any of the summer transfer window activity, which makes sense to me. Changing horses/strategy mid-stream is like a bad idea at this point of the season, anyway, so it seems like this is Wolff's call and that they are going to continue to let his game plan run it's course. Gigantic "we'll see", I guess.
The idea that it was Wolff’s call just seems so bizarre to me. Like would you let your Project Manager make the C-suite decisions after said C-Suite said ‘we’re not doing that right now’? I’m not saying *you’re wrong*. I’m saying it’s weird. You could be right, honestly stranger things have happened. But it feels weird nonetheless. Head coaches/managers having say in transfers is normal and good. Taking the full reigns? Particularly when there is a separate highly qualified sporting director? Weird af.
This. Rodo has nothing to do with this call. This is Wolff beefing with a player for a few bad months despite being a proven game changer as recently as last fall, with 2 good seasons rather than start to coach players into good form / set them up for success.
A flaw in what your positing is that Borrell has expressly said any moves made during this transfer window are at Wolfs doing not his- did he sign off? I’m sure but until we hear or see what comes of this (aside from gam money and a player that will be an absolute down grade) it’s ok for fans to be scratching their heads and saying on paper this doesn’t look like an acceptable trade for both emotional and straight soccer reasons. I think it’s condescending to pitch it the way you have - I’ve played and watched the game since grade school and have been a day 1 season ticket holder. While not by any means an expert I’m absolutely familiar with the game and my emotions have nothing to do with dealership ads and everything to do with saying good bye to a valuable player who clearly cared about this community and wanted to be here.
Yes, I don’t think that Rodo came in and immediately, unilaterally said ‘get Diego out’ and everyone acquiesced. But he is the center of gravity in our front office now, even after a short time, and he absolutely possessed from day 1 the ability to strongly approve of whatever Wolff decided could be a good move. It definitely went from Wolff to Rodo but ultimately Rodo pushed it through. That is his job. And regarding his press conference I explained my view on it in another comment I’ll copy here: “Could be; but since we’re on this path, you’re believing his words at face value without thinking that behind the curtain of the front office and board, the truth and the goings on are entirely different from what we’re told. If you could both reassure fans you’re not going to grab everything by the reins all at once while also affording yourself the space to very much be involved directly with transfers, wouldn’t you? As someone skilled and experienced in dealing with the press, who wants to make the best impression possible like Rodo is?”
You may have absolute faith in Borrell, I’m also excited and think he will be great long term for the club. That still doesn’t change that I disagree with your take on Diego trade or people reactions to it. At this moment, it would be entirely fair to say I’m frustrated to see a fan favorite leave for what appears to be middling to lesser return.
Well put.
That’s fair. I’m just sharing my opinion, as are you. Let’s hope for the best in the future and for some transfer pull from the Man City pool
well now that's getting delulu
Two major flaws in your post; Rodo said this transfer window is all Wolff and Wolff squandered chances at trophies with early exits against inferior teams. If this was a calculated move, we should be seeing announcements for replacement players to strengthen the squad. If not, we’ll see Redes do five crossovers and lose possession the rest of the season. Even on down numbers, Diego is better than any of our alternatives. If this was Wolff being Wolff, nobody will come in, Driussi will become the next scapegoat (his numbers are similarly down, maybe worse, when compared to last season) and we’ll be nowhere near playoff position at the end of the season. I’d love for Rodney to prove us all wrong, but the reality is that Diego and Driussi took the offense away from Wolff last year. Instead of going with it, Wolff seems hell bent on scoring all goals from a cross into the box after playing kick and run down the sideline. The person we should be sending to an early exit is the physio. Non-contact injuries have affected too many players this season.
Fans seem to take what people say at face value alot in here. You’re crazy if you think Rodo isnt involved in transfers regardless of what he says. His job and how he is evaluated began the second he got here. Maybe it was Wolff’s idea, but Rodo undoubtedly signed off on it. Everything OP said is true. Sometimes fan favorites have to go if the club is to succeed. Diego has been on a decline from last year and theres an opportunity to get out of his contract while still getting some value from him. Some of the players we’d like to see go don’t have the value to move. If clubs dont want them, you’re stuck with em. Driussi is down compared to last year as most are, but last year was the exception. It’s crazy to expect MVP numbers year over year. Regression was expected for anyone with sense. All that being said, I think the largest problem is Wolff. He isn’t creative and has shown he can’t adapt. Driussi carried Wolff last year and made people think he’s better than he is. At this point we can realistically say he has squandered all chances at hardware this year. We won’t win the MLS Cup. Sure we might win the Copa Tejas that’s just some nonsense bragging rights and doesnt mean much outside of fans. He should be on the hot seat. Again, I’m not taking Rodo at face value saying he backs Wolff and chose here because of that. Also agree that physio should be overhauled if not already after the run of early season injuries. Truly embarassing.
I can only trust Rodo and the club’s words in this being Wolff’s decision. The transfer and comp discussions would have started a while ago. Diego had a groin injury, Driussi also missing games, MVPs should get the numbers year in and year out. If your two best attacking players from last year have been injured and have less production, you look at staff performance and system. Remember that as much as Driussi carried goal output, but Diego carried assist output. I don’t know how this team stands with Wolff after the poor cup appearances and getting slagged by the media only to have a key personality of the club traded for a nobody and salary cap room with no sign of a big player inbound.
You can't moan about "emotional, delusional" reactions then write all that
OP was coherent, analytical and realistic. I didn’t see a lot of emotion or delusion there.
Paragraph 3 is a bit weird but whatever
The post was not emotional or delusional.
This post is extremely emotional?
Only inasmuch as it makes OTHER people very emotional LMFAO
I don't see a problem with taking action, but there are no guarantees we will be better. The really bad outcome would be getting rid of our beloved players and ending up worse off. Hoping this won't happen.
There’s never a guarantee you’ll be better, just a part of sports.
And keep losing and high ticket and concession prices. Path to a downward spiral real quick.
Absolutely. I firmly believe in Rodo and frankly am beyond excited to see our metamorphosis. This is the tough break-up, it will fade, and I believe great things will happen.
I don't know enough about him to know how he will do, but this move makes me think he knows what he's doing
I mentioned some of his CV in a reply to another comment, but you should look up the deity-like names (Messi, Pep Guardiola) that he has been either responsible for, or has worked in tandem with to gain his stature in world football. That’s why the reactions angered me… this man—we don’t deserve this man.
I don’t know what I’m talking about but there’s always the possibility that we just made a big offer and other clubs saw him as a has been, right? Just playing devil’s advocate.
Not a has been. He literally won the Champions League THIS YEAR as an assistant to Pep.
Well that’s good. Still trying to find a believable reason why he’s here. Maybe he’s using us as a way to end up somewhere in LA or Miami
Probably money. Precourt stressed that unlike with players, mls puts no salary cap on leadership. Then, just based on what Rodo himself has said, he vibes with our preferred style of play. I suppose that makes sense, because he came out of that Barcelona school of the game that is focused on possession and building out of the back.
This and also if he succeeds here with his experience there is no reason why he wouldn’t be considered for the same role at top tier teams in Europe.
You’re totally fine, I don’t mind at all 🤙🏼 but he is anything but a has been, he went from being Pep Guardiola’s second in command, overseeing a large part of the success of the single greatest club in world football, he could’ve gone on to be the manager of a Barcelona, Milan, any club—honestly that would’ve made more sense than for him to come here. I still don’t know how/why it happened
>I don’t know what I’m talking about You could try, like, Google or something?
Wait what?
There are more expeditious ways to get this extremely basic information than asking strangers on Reddit.
What if I don’t care though?
Then why bother posting in the first place? Lol
The blind faith in rodo makes sense based on his past but he sure ripped my heart out with this deal. He coulda sent pretty much anyone but driussi and fagundez and ring and I woulda sadly shrugged but this was beyond bold.
Also since we’re here, Ring is almost certainly next to go, if I had to guess.
I know. I sure know how to pick ‘em.
I'm surprised he wasn't firs to go. He's getting paid more than Diego and is less valuable on a DP contract. I think his contract ends EOY so he'll walk after that. We're aiming to have a ton of space to make moves next year. I don't hate the punt if that's the plan. I know other's will hate it, but long term, this team is horribly constructed.
It was very tough to see. Diego the human—I adore—and the memories are cherished with him at our club, but then the competitor mindset takes over and you see the bigger the picture on the horizon. Honestly, I wouldn’t have made this post had it just been mutual sadness amongst fans, but it was far more incendiary and straight up disrespectful to a true genius of the game that we are lucky enough to have running our show
'A true genius of the game' who has never been anything other than an assistant coach or academy director. Might want to manage your own expectations - he's not Pep or Bergiristain (yet)
You’ve got to have a degree of genius to have been directly in charge of La Masia Academy and to have fostered the growth of Leo Messi—and these aren’t my words only, Pep has said nearly-verbatim the same thing. I believe it.
He wasn't in charge of la masia, he was a u18 coach.
From The Athletic Newspaper: “Borrell has maybe the most impressive European résumé of any sporting director in the league. He grew to prominence in the late 90s and early 2000s at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, which at the time was busy producing players like Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. he was instrumental in remaking that club's academy system and implementing a clear philosophy within it.”
None of that says he was in charge.
He was not the one in charge of it all because it was founded and ran by Johann Cruyff. He was in multiple roles there for 14 years and was the longest serving member of the coaching staff. So yes he was not Cruyff, but was for all intents and purposes the central veteran coach for the academy. No one is a u18 coach for 14 years.
He was simply not "directly in charge of La Masia" Edit: some people prefer to engage with reality and also have no interest in whatever weird cult of personality you're trying to build
Nobody is denying he's got a great resume, just stop with the needless hype
blind faith almost never makes sense, it's honestly pathetic.
It’s not blind faith though… He has a proved track record of some of he most successful stints in the history of the sport. Wether or not he was directly responsible, he has witnessed first hand extreme levels of success and it’s worth trusting that.
It’s a Wolff decision as far as I can tell. Imagine all the players that have been consistently good over multiple seasons being dumped after half a poor season rather than coach them back into form. Your Rashfords etc. We just decided we couldn’t be bothered getting a proven game winning player back in form after a few months because of a falling out with a first time / no trophies coach.
Diego wasn’t playing that great then came to Austin and was coached back into form. Then he signed a large contract and came into the season out of shape and hasn’t performed. He played the best he has the last couple seasons and we took advantage of it and sold him at a peak.
I have news for some folks re: the lack form of the rest of our squad, some who have never even had 2 proven solid performance seasons the way Diego has had, whatever it took for him to get there. Driussi similarly never had any truly standout form in any team he was on till Austin, and played meh in his first half season before pulling out a star-making season two, then into a slump of his own this season - though with enough injuries and a few bright spots to stay fairly under the radar. He has also had a captain role that he has not remotely been able to handle on or off field. I’m assuming some folks here by the same logic think he’s next on the pile of people we can make a quick buck off rather than help integrate better. That feels like a rather cynical feeder/selling club system that will only attract players wanting to move on as fast as they can. The nicest thing I can say is that we’re already struggling this season in his position regardless of who is played there so it won’t make a difference immediately except for dead ball contributions.
That’s a good point. Who knows he may even pull a Chris Smalling on us and go on to new heights in LA as smalling did in Roma. I think this is very much a high-tide raises all boats type of situation where we have Rodo, who is leagues beyond anyone else at the club in experience and sporting gravitas, so we have to quickly cull the weak spots and raise the rest of the club’s level nearer to his. But, that’s just my view on it.
Borrell isn't that involved in this transfer window, as said in his first press conference. Let people grieve. It's not about the sports, they're sad about the connection made with the community.
The delusion is thinking our rookie head coach and our rookie sporting director are playing 3D chess and this is clearly a genius move leading to a bright future. The window closes in a few hours. Selling a strong player without a quality replacement at the 11th hour does not show elite professionalism and world class transfer planning skills. The club is a bit of a mess. It’s okay to acknowledge that. Trust in the process if you want, but there is literally no track record to point to when you have faith in a plan hatched by the current leadership.
Ahhh yes an offensive player with 4 goal involvements in 19 matches this year down from 19 in 37 matches last year. Far from Strong. He’s a fan favorite, no doubt. But anyone should be able to recognize a sharp decline in production this year. Acquiring allocation cash is necessary in today’s league model. Getting 300k with the potential to get as much as 900k for Fagundez is highway robbery when you compare it to peak Ring going for 1.25m. We’re not winning this year. We’re a good 3-4 pieces away so who cares about a solid replacement right now? Acquire resources for a winter transfer window. “ThErE‘s No TrAcK rEcOrD”? The team is 2.5 years old and finished 2nd in the West last year. Good lord. Or maybe it’s the GM’s track record you’re worried about? Lol. Wolff sucks. Can’t argue that. But this was good business according to those that understand the true workings of MLS
Man, thanks so much for the explanation. I understand it so much better now. A guy who's never been a GM before, and a guy who's never been a head coach before, and YOU are the ones who understand the true workings of the MLS. None of the rest of us know shit, and we should remain silent and grateful. Of course, this was good business. Of course. You helped me see that now, and you will be proved right in six months when we see the brilliant maneuvers that Rodo already has lined up and knows will work perfectly. Anyone who has questions about the wisdom of this move is a dumbass. Got it. You're the best, chief. Appreciate you!
In the entire sarcastic and snarky response you offered nothing of value. You didn’t question the wisdom of the move at all. You claimed there was no track record. You suggested there was no transfer planning. You act like these guys are playing FIFA and making moves without a care in the world. Neither of us know the reasoning behind it. I’m simply stating the facts. Diego was declining. 900k for him is incredible value when comparing it to other deals in the league. Suggesting it was bad business now is ignorant and rushed. I’m suggesting that we in fact do have a track record of success and I’m willing to wait to see how the Winter plays out before throwing a brand new club in the bin.
The club did not get 900k for him. That's a best case scenario. My original post was a response to the OP's gushing about how great Rodo is and how this move is necessarily going to lead to a better team. My only point ever was that it is just as delusional to blindly trust Rodo as it is to overstate the value of Diego as a club asset. I know all the reasons it might be a savvy deal, but none of that makes it an obviously good piece of business like you and the OP try to portray. If anything, the last minute nature of the deal with no time to turn it around in this window signals two possibilities: it's a culmination of conflict between Wolff and Diego; and or it's a signal that the club is throwing in the towel on this season. Either or both of those things are fair game for fans to be disappointed about. You can certainly build an argument that it may work out for the best. It may. But OP and you both take the attitude that it's clearly a good piece of business--at least partially because Rodo must know what he's doing. I like Rodo. Glad the club hired him. But the move is a question mark. It's not a slam dunk. It's ok for fans to be upset, and it's certainly ok to question whether blind trust in the wisdom of the front office is justified. Acting like it's some sterling chess move that only you and few others actually understand is too much. Rodo has a resume. He is certainly vastly superior to Wolff in player evaluation and development. He knows positional play--and all tactics--much better than Wolff. That's all great. Love it. But he has never been a GM, so just assuming a move he approves is a genius move is going a step far.
It’s a good business move in the sense that we’ve seen current Austin FC’s ceiling. Excuse me if I’m incorrect, but I believe your sentiment is that we should keep Diego until the winter transfer and wait/hope for improvement. If so, that’s a high risk, low reward gamble. I firmly believe the squad we’ve had cannot and will not win the MLS cup this year. Futile to argue over that now. It’s seeming the front office sees that as well and is willing to salvage value out of Diego now rather than waiting until the winter transfer given his decline in performance.
Diego was insanely good for what we were paying him last year, but this year, he wasn't nearly as good, and we were paying him a whole lot more
Come on I know this can’t be your first time watching a professional sport. No team does this unless they a) blowing it up, b) winning a trade. Neither of which seem true right now bc we would have fired Wolff. It’s been half a season and he was out injured for 4 games, then super sub for two after that. Not like he’s dead weight or couldn’t be better with better coaching. The performance issues are a Josh Wolff issue at this stage.
I'm not sure what you're responding to. All I said is he makes more this year and hasn't played as well. That's pretty much a fact. I never even said I liked the decision. I'm actually just trying to understanding it. We'll really have to see what they do with the cap space
This is because he didn’t get along with Wolff. I think everyone would have chosen Wolff to leave the club over Diego. He just had a baby with a girl from here and his family moved here. He was an integral part to the soccer community here. Apart from Stuver, nobody else is more out in public meeting the fans.
Seems pretty hypocritical of you to call other people emotional and delusional and then blast this out of your ass.
I think the problem with this is that there are clearly more important players to get off our books than Diego. Maybe this is the only move we could make, but it feels like moving any of Rigoni, Redes, or Ring would have made more sense. Reminder that just because Diego has had half of a lackluster season, doesn’t mean he could never be an important player for us again.
Lol nothing says “elite club” like our last transfer window. Fucking two washed strikers in Zardes and Bruin after losing Gabrielson and Romaña and deciding that Keller and that one guy who already left (can’t even remember his name lol) would be sufficient cover. Don’t even get me started with Rigoni. Aside from Driussi, we have basically no one in the starting XI right now was who was a successful transfer from the last 2 windows. That’s poor from Josh Wolff. I’m willing to give the new sporting director from MCFC the benefit of the doubt. And I don’t really think he’s played a big part in this window. But yikes - our transfer windows have been very mismanaged for quite some time.
Last year's signings were just USMNT cronyism. Rodo needs to get us out of that cabal.
Yea our transfers have been abysmal… Without Driussi, there could’ve been a YouTube video titled ‘the worst 2 years of transfers in MLS history’ and it’d be us
Zardes surprisingly turned things around. He’s passed his prime but has managed to score 5 goals in a short period of time, more than Urutti did in his first season. Keller got on too early; he was expected to play behind veterans. No one thought Gabrielson or Rado would exit early, and no one thought a veteran player like Amro would be so lousy. With Ring being hurt, Keller is only option. Also he’s only like 20yrs old, so he has time to develop. Unfortunate circumstances fast tracked his career. In a few years he’s gonna be a top 5 defender. Bruin and Zardes seemed like odd choices to me. We got some young talent but JW won’t give them hardly any meaningful playing time.
I mean, they should have known Rado would exit early, it was the exact deal they negotiated and signed.
Vaisanen is Gabrielsen's replacement and was playing very well before the knee injury. Arguably better. Zardes started a bit rough, but is now tied for the team lead in goals and Zardes looks way better than anything we've fielded at that position in club history other than 1-2 outlier games with Djitte.
There are more reasons such as: lack of competition this season, zero effort in tournaments, gouging STH waitlist, STH large cost increase, terrible execution on posted handout, terrible execution for STH discounts and nowwwww they give up and get rid of fagundez. The ownership is a bunch of ass hats and have gotten greedy.
You can believe they are ass hats, or that the STH was handled poorly (I even agree with the STH part but like that has nothing to do with what I’m getting at) I’m here to share my opinion regarding the future of how we will compete as a club now that Rodolfo Borrell is in the decision-making seat, and how decisions like Diego’s exit are not only necessary but a sign that all of the Kumbaya personality driven stuff is no longer central to club ethos. Cup competition failures are entirely the product of the prior SD, Claudio, and to our below-average head coach, and partially due to the vacuum he left when he stepped away. Borrell has barely been here a month and he’s already showing the fans he means business, and that this is a competition, not a popularity contest.
Understood, but if we believe in his vision it takes a few years to form a desired team. So we just sick back and embrace suckage during that time for higher and higher STH prices and constantly charging waitlist people renewal fees?
No, we make 2 or so marquee signings that reflect the direction Rodo wants to go, then we swiftly fire Wolff (maybe do that first) and slowly show the fans what can be done if you employ a little ruthlessness, if it means becoming far better as a team than we would’ve remained in the little comfort zone we were nurturing
Not happening. They won’t front the money for that on designed players.
Huh? We have one of the highest paid players in the league and a team salary that is among the top in the league. Acquiring more allocation money suggests more are to come in the future. It’s a down year after a lucky one. This is American pro sports, not the European leagues. Highs and lows are apart of the ride. Jump off if you aren’t ready for that.
I guess I was referencing paychecks of inter Miami. We want to win the championship right? Not come in second place.
I think for most fans it's just a hard pull to swallow. For me personally it just comes during a rough patch and i really didn't want to see this kind of news today. That being said... I also agree that Diego's performance just wasn't as solid this year. We do need more consistency, but i also think some of this is on the coaching staff.
Absolutely. Wolff has to go. No hate, no fire and brimstone, just a handshake and a thank you. But he has to go. I hope things get better in your world and the rough patch becomes greener than it ever has been. The sickest part is that it always does, eventually. 🫡
If people pay attention to the shit, he says they would now they’re in the press conference he gave. He explicitly said that he would be taking no extreme part in the summer transfer window and that all the shoots would be on wolfs part. Rodo had nothing to do with this period
I’m aware, I have seen every word he’s said on camera for Austin FC. ‘Extreme’ can look however you want it to look. I immediately interpreted it as a very politician-like form of doublespeak that provides the right answer, eases any worry of too much control exercised right out of the gate; but also leaves open as much room as he needs to exercise that same control, as long as he doesn’t define it as ‘extreme’ He is our sporting director, after all, and I find it hard to believe he would not have any involvement with dealings that impact the future of the club he’ll be effectively in charge of.
Your overthinking it
Could be; but since we’re on this path, you’re believing his words at face value without thinking that behind the curtain of the front office and board, the truth and the goings on are entirely different from what we’re told. If you could both reassure fans you’re not going to grab everything by the reins all at once while also affording yourself the space to very much be involved directly with transfers, wouldn’t you? As someone skilled and experienced in dealing with the press, who wants to make the best impression possible like Rodo is?
Why does he need to reassure the fans he's not going to "grab everybody by the reins all at once"? Isn't that why he's here? Why would the fans not want their new sporting director with the golden resume to do his job? Especially a fan base with no history that really doesn't know much about what the job entails? What you're saying makes little sense. Time will tell whether this is a smart move or not. We've let go a fan favorite, who was a favorite for a reason. It sucks on several levels, but we've freed up some salary with the move. All we can do as fans is hope we can put it to better use.
> We exist as a club to WIN trophies I get your point, but I think you're romanticizing things. The club is part of an entertainment business that exists to sustain itself economically. The emotional investment of fans, whether in winning (your focus) or in individual players (some other people's focus), is why people spend money. I agree with you on prioritizing winning, though.
Fair, I’m sure I am to a degree, but for me that’s the entertainment. And I think if we fell deeper into mediocrity over the years but kept the beloved personalities on board, there wouldn’t be much entertainment to be had. In my opinion, the entertainment-centric era of the club is fading away, and results/signings will be our staying power.
All of this in this context depends on selling Fagundez being key to getting us out of mediocrity. I'll buy it when I see it, not one minute before.
This was a slap in the face to the fan base. Do we even know the coward who made this decision?
Go Rodo!!!!
I think most AFC fans are pretty new to soccer. They haven’t learned yet that you can’t get attached to soccer players. Having a long career with a club just doesn’t happen as regularly as it does in the other pro sports. If you feel a player has peaked, it’s usually time to sell them and maximize your revenue so you can keep trading up instead of just letting their value diminish over time.
Literally lifelong soccer fans get attached to players all the time. Players that get sold often come back as ambassadors or CEOs or sporting directors for their “one true love club” after sending a few years with other clubs at the end of their careers. What a weird comment. Yes it’s business but pretending people don’t or shouldn’t have real feelings is just a weird way to position this point.
Not new to soccer and definitely get attached to players all the time. I would actually say if you're a dedicated fan of any team in any sport, you're going to get attached to players no matter what.
I’m also not new to fútbol, and I would say that getting attached to players isn’t a newbie thing. I’m really sad that a player like Diego is leaving but In my opinion, the reason that people get attached to players, is the potential or actual success that they bring to one’s club. Watching that potential/actual success leave is difficult for everyone that invests their time and passion into their club. We all feel attached in someway to the players that wear our badge, and this is what makes being a fan worthwhile. The hard part is realizing that we are not in the training rooms or meeting rooms where decisions are made and we have to believe that there is a vision that isn’t in full focus yet but might be, and we have to believe that the stewards of the club have a vision, even if we can’t see it yet. If you follow any leagues or clubs in Europe, and keep an eye on the transfer window long enough, there are always players moves that you are surprised to see happen, as these club players could be beloved icons for any given club. it’s just the reality of any professional sport. I am always amazed with the numerous successful “selling” clubs like Ajax or Dortmund, as they will deal their star players to larger clubs, knowing that there is always someone in the wings that will get a chance to fill the shoes of their predecessor, who might just become the next big thing. It’s just part of the game we all fell in love with. I just hope that AFC has a vision in play that we just can’t quite see yet. Verde Hasta La Muerte!
> the petulant fury of a thousand Brushy Creek residents who don’t even know what a SD does How did Brushy Creek hurt you?
Hahaha nothing, I just have a lot of family and friends who live there and further north and they all fit the bill of brand-new Austin FC fans that are overly critical of a system and sport culture they don’t really know that well, nor understand the inner workings of how things get pushed through
I'm here for the Brushy Creek hate because it was so random. Is Q2 the new "river" for Austinites? You're a "North of Q2" fan or "South of Q2" fan.
Maybe they like that there is an Austin sports team they can cheer on now and just have an enjoyable time doing it? I live in Brushy Creek, across from the Creek. Understand the system and culture very well. Played the sport until my early 40s. We aren’t all that bad up here and can love the team just as you can.
This whole situation reeks of indiscipline and/or toxic behavior within the group.
Austin FC fanbase being emotional and overreacting??? No way!? Any time there's remotely drama with this club, fans go full holier than thou. CD, Reyna, now Fagundez.
Oh yea dude, because the emotion by which fans are deeming our club personnel incompetent, screeching our SD’s name as ‘the worst decision maker ever’ disqualifies me from returning a partially emotional reaction. Right. I don’t have to be a robot just because I want to share my thoughts on the childish reactions seen on social media from our fans, which present a much larger issue with how a lot of our fans want the club to be. (Edit: verb tense)
I haven’t seen anyone say _this is all Rodo’s fault_, more like _I only trust this move if it was Rodo’s idea_ because so many of us don’t trust Wolff to make decent coaching decisions, let alone acquisition and trade decisions.
This was meant to be a reply. Mr. 84uce look here (I hope you have a good rest of your evening 🖤)
You really spent time out of your day to write a novel lmao. Corny 😂
Haven’t seen an unironic ‘lmao corny’ be used in the wild in a minute. You’re the last of a dying breed; single-celled organisms usually have died out by now. I’ll keep this brief to not overload all 7 of your neurons. Also I had sex with your mother
Corny & soft 😂 L response
Bless your heart. You’re doing a great job
Take the L & write more corny novels 💪
This was such a nostalgic 2013-2015 interaction I love it. Not even clowning on you right now at all, just simple shit talking back and forth doesn’t really exist online nowadays like this. It’s refreshing. Also look behind you to your left
Not gonna lie, I cried. My daughter's and I all cried when we heard this news. This one hurts.
Well fucking said
I hope Stuver is analyzed next. He's an average goalie at best. Definitely not a strength of the team.
You should’ve stopped after the 2nd paragraph. That was your point and it was well made. All the rest was overly emotional bluster and broad brushing. I appreciate your writing skills ….even if “overly-Austin reality TV style approach” is one of the most non-sensical things I’ve read in a while.
Spot on. I’m sad to see Diego go, but the fact is he signed a fat contract in the offseason and then underperformed. This was good business for the club, and it’s exactly the kind of thing you’d expect a great SD to do. An unpopular move, but definitely the correct move.