New York City FC take on Austin FC on Saturday night.
For this edition of 'The Away End' presented by Berkeley College & Rennert International, we spoke to Hernan Gonzalez, a member of Austin FC Fan TV.
Hi Hernan, thanks for speaking with us. How long have you been covering Austin FC?
It's my pleasure to answer some questions for New York City FC. I've been covering Austin FC since its inaugural season, by game day 1 we already had a podcast and a page dedicated to covering the team at a high level. The people I work with covering Austin have been my friends for a very long time, most of us grew up together here in Austin playing soccer and talking about the beautiful sport so when Austin FC came around it was easy to get organized and collab on the idea to cover the new MLS team in our hometown. Other than the core buddies we added some great people who help write for us and make informative content in graphic form or in video form. I always say I just wanted to make iPhone wallpapers and now I am the face of the biggest page that covers Austin FC.
What has been your highlight in that time?
My highlight in that time has been the 2022 season, we clinched playoffs so early in our club's life, we were so good, and we had a legit MVP candidate in Driussi. We do Fan Reactions outside Q2 stadium so we talk to thousands of fans a season and they were buzzing all of 2022, there were amazing wins home and away even some major comeback wins. The whole city was in love with the team.
What were your thoughts on the 2023 season?
The 2023 season was a huge reality check. Austin FC was overperforming like a crazy person the year before and it raised our expectations for 2023 but we didn't want to see the writing on the wall... it wasn't sustainable and we found out that season. I don't want to think back too much on that season for my own sake. Just know this, my mental suffered a bit because of the toxic and negative takes we had to deal with from fans online and outside Q2 stadium... It was bad but I'm glad it's over.
What are your hopes for the 2024 season?
My hopes for 2024 take a hit every week that Josh Wolff defends mediocre performances. The coaching staff tells us that playoffs are the goal so that's what I'll ride with too. The new signings are almost here so let's see if Bukari, Desler, Svatok, and others can carry this side to a secure playoff spot. Overall I'm expecting a playoff exit in 2024, its up to you if you see that as a successful season or not.
What do you think will be the deciding factor in Saturday's game?
Sebastian Driussi and the goal scorers will be the deciding factor. It sounds easy to say as a take but what I mean is with New York City FC struggling to score on the road and with Austin FC having Diego Rubio suspended I don't see where the goals are going to come from here. It could easily be a scrappy 1-1. Why do I mention Driussi? Well, he's been a bit inconsistent since Rigoni left and the final scoreline in matches for Austin FC all depends on which Driussi you get on the night now, will he go all out or shy away like we've seen recently?
And for any fans that might be in Austin for the game are there any spots you'd suggest they check out?
The famous barbecue joints that you see on TV or on social media are a must. Around the stadium skip the $10 hotdogs and get some tacos at the food trucks parked at the gas station by the stadium.
