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