Superman Returns

Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia talk with perhaps the most accomplished Austinite in the world of soccer, Ismail Elfath.

Hosts Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia cover a lot of ground as Austin FC runs out of do-overs if they want to see the playoffs. Also, supporters voice their displeasure by going quiet, Myrto Uzuni gets a trophy, we meet "Texas Ben" - the soccer podcast version of KUT's Morning Edition host Ben Philpott, plus "Superman" Brandon Vázquez is heating up with goals in three straight games. We revisit our interview with him taped last summer just before the MLS All-Star game and his ACL injury.

Austin FC II head coach Jason Shackell joins Juan Diego Garcia and Jimmy Maas for the pod. The former center back spent 17 years in the EFL Chanpionship and Premier League. After retirement, he decided to call Austin home. They talk about the second team's MLS Next Pro playoff push, his playing career, his coaching influences, and whay the move to Texas.

A lot of changes happened over the summer for Austin FC. Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia check in with season ticket holders and the co-hosts of Moontower Soccer, the longest continuous running podcast devoted to Austin FC, Landon Cotham and Jeremiah Bentley. The team has not lost an MLS game in a month despite the makeover of the squad and the front office. They talk about what's happened and their expectations for the team as Austin makes an improbable run at one of the final playoff spots.

Jorge Alastuey has worked his way through the professional ranks, from Napoli's Primavera (or under-20 squad), Poland's second-division pro league, and finally up to Austin FC. But his football foundation was set when he entered Barcelona's La Masia at age 13. And even though he was recruited to Austin by fellow Spaniards Rodolfo Borrell and Nico Estévez, he's seeing many more playing opportunities now that they're gone. He's also getting a lot of help from experienced teammates and a fellow La Masia alum.

It has been a journey this season for Austin FC. Familiar faces leaving. League play disappointments. But once again, hope springs from the team's performance in intra-season tournament play. Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia talk with the Austin Chronicle's Eric Goodman and Austin American-Statesman's Colby Gordon, Austin FC beat writers, about the turnaround the team has pulled off in the Leagues Cup and what it could mean for the fans, interim coach Davy Arnaud, and the team.

Polish winger Przemysław Płacheta joined the club on a free transfer this summer, having spent the last six years plying his trade in the English leagues. “Plachy” coaches hosts Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia through some basic Polish, discusses the most uncomfortable climates to play soccer in, and reveals his unique relationship with teammate Myrto Uzuni.

Hosts Juan Diego Garcia and Jimmy Maas chat with Austin FC captain Ilie Sánchez about Spain winning the World Cup, the Barcelona way and how that's transferred to the national team. We also talk about Austin FC's prospects for the season with an interim coach, little pressure, and even still some team goals within reach.

Some Austin FC fans noticed something interesting when watching Mexico play in the World Cup. The stadium announcer at Estadio Azteca, the largest stadium in Latin America, sounded a lot like the stadium announcer at Q2 stadium during Austin FC games. That's because they are the same guy: Jeremiah Gallegos. From boxing to basketball, softball to soccer, Gallegos has two decades of stadium announcements under his belt. He sits down with host Juan Diego Garcia to discuss his career so far and how he got chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime gig.

Former Austin F.C. and U.S. Men's National Team member Gyasi Zardes talks about World Cup chances after the second round of the group stage. Zardes joined hosts Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia at Casa Verde, Austin FC's pop-up World Cup party at Inn Cahoots in East Austin. they also chat about the USMNT coaches he's played under and the calculus of how national teams are put together.