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Austin FC and the Austin Soccer Community

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey to Star in a Soccer Movie, Dallas Sting

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Austin FC co-owner Matthew McConaughey will star in an upcoming film titled “Dallas Sting.”

Matthew McConaughey

The movie, based on a true story, will be directed by Kari Skogland and feature McConaughey in the role of coach Bill Kinder.

It follows a Dallas, Texas-based Under-19 team that made history in 1984, with Kinder leading the high school-aged group to international glory upon traveling to China and defying all odds against the likes of Italy and Australia in true underdog fashion.

While in China, the Dallas Sting became the first American soccer team, men or women, to win a major international tournament.

Kinder also invested in the team financially and fought to allow them to travel overseas in the first place – all amid geopolitical tensions.

The Dallas Sting are still around today and were founded in 1973, making them the oldest and first all-girls club in the United States.

Sing the Songs of Austin FC

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La Murga de Austin, the supporters section band for Austin FC, leads a variety of songs throughout each Austin FC match. If you’re heading to Q2 Stadium to see Austin FC play, here is a QR code so you can get all of the words to the songs.

Austin FC chants

Some fans around the stadium hear the “Alright Alright Alright” song and think it’s the soccer chant, “Olé, Olé, Olé.” La Murga de Austin puts an Austin spin on it and pays homage to Austin FC owner Matthew McConaughey by singing “Alright Alright Alright.”

This is a simple one to remember…

“Alright…
Alright, Alright, Alright
Austin! FC!”

But some of the others are more involved and it’s handy to scan that QR code or download the PDF of lyrics to print and bring it with you on game day.

At the end of each match, whether we win, lose, or draw, the crowd sings “True Love Will Find You in the End” in honor of legendary Austinite, Daniel Johnston.

See you at Q2!

Welcome Home, Austin FC

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After years of hard work by so many people, Austin FC finally kicked off at home on Saturday, June 19, 2021 against the San Jose Earthquakes, and it was glorious.

Austin FC supporters section for the first home match

The day at Q2 Stadium began with a huge crowd of supporters outside of the stadium singing and chanting and celebrating after greeting the bus with the players.

Outside of Q2 Stadium before the first game

When I got into Q2 Stadium I just walked around smiling – it was hard to believe it was real. Shortly after I took my seat it was game time and I had a nice view of Matthew McConaughey getting the crowd worked up.

The first home tifo of Austin FC was dazzling – I couldn’t believe it as I watched it go up.

The first Austin FC tifo at Q2 Stadium

The people on the tifo from left to right are Stevie Ray Vaughan, Raul Salinas, Matthew McConaughey, Barbara Jordan, Leslie, and Willie Nelson.

Jackie Venson played piano and performed the Black National Anthem, followed by Aaron Stephens playing the National Anthem on guitar.

Jackie Venson performing the Black National Anthem

Aaron Stephens playing the National Anthem on guitar.

Since it was the day before Father’s Day, Austin FC players with kids walked out with them for the introductions.

Austin FC players announced before the match starts

Finally, the action started and the stadium was rocking from the first to last second of the game. My watch said it got up to 95 decibels where I was sitting and others reported well in excess of 100.

Austin FC and San Jose battling nil nil.

While the match ended in a scoreless tie, it was an amazing night and the supporter’s section led the tempo for the whole 90 minutes and made it a unique, fantastic opening and memory.

After the match, it was so cool to see the team go in front of the supporter’s section to be serenaded by the fans with “True Love Will Find You in the End” in honor of legendary Austinite, Daniel Johnston.

True Love Will Find You in the End

Thank you, Mr. Precourt.

REVIEW: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

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Matthew McConaughey, a renaissance man, Oscar winner, and one of the Austin FC owners, has released a new memoir called Greenlights.

While this book isn’t about soccer, it is a fascinating and entertaining look into what makes Matthew McConaughey tick.

I initially bought the hardcover copy of the Greenlights book, but after reading a bit I was realizing the stories were in McConaughey’s voice in my head. Then I realized it would be way more fun to hear him actually tell the stories in the Audible version of the book.

And that audio version of the #1 New York Times Bestseller did not disappoint.

The stories, lessons, and wisdom from McConaughey were gripping and I listened to Greenlights practically straight through in one day.

It was fun to hear him tell the naked bongo story, struggles with breaking out of the rom-com typecasting, growing up as a brother and son, meeting his future wife, and starting a family.

I also loved the stories of his movie shoots, and after I finished Greenlights I was anxious to watch the movies from McConaughey that I hadn’t seen, yet.

Have a listen or read – it would be a lot cooler if you did.

Austin FC Breaks Ground on New MLS Stadium

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Construction crews have begun work on the new, 100 percent privately-funded Austin FC stadium (10414 McKalla Place) after a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, September 9, 2019.

Austin FC groundbreaking

The 20,500-seat stadium, which is expected to open in Spring 2021, will be owned by the City of Austin and operated by Austin FC.

Prior to the breaking ground, there were words from Anthony Precourt, Managing Partner and CEO of Two Oak Ventures and Austin FC; Austin Mayor Steve Adler; Mark Abbott, President and Deputy Commissioner of Major League Soccer; Eddie Margain, the lead investor of the local ownership group; Alba Mendoza, a representative of the Austin soccer community; and Matthew McConaughey, Austin FC investor partner.

Austin FC hardhat and shovel

The open-air stadium will feature canopy coverage over 100 percent of the seats and concourses, and there will be a natural grass playing surface.

Outside of the stadium, there will be eight acres of open and green space, including trails and public accessibility and a performance and gathering area immediately adjoining the stadium.

Also, there will be future on-site development area for 130 affordable housing units in conjunction with Foundation Communities.

There is now an Austin FC stadium construction cam, so you can check in on the progress at any time.