Justin Brisson

Like I've said, I'm finding it hard to be normal about Kindel. In no world did I imagine him being this good as an 18 year old.

I'm not saying Sid is blameless on that, but Rusty doesn't have the foot speed to be a forechecker anymore. Hallander, in theory, fills that role — but it ain't workin.

It's hard to see how Uzuni recovers for Austin after last night's missed PK. That performance, after the season he had, certainly destroyed the fans' confidence in him. But it could've crippled his own confidence, too.

Otherwise, I want to throw some positivity into the #AustinFC universe. The team did show up and put in maximum effort. We've been knocked out of US Open Cup by San Antonio FC, Foro SC, and nearly El Paso Locomotive. A trip to the finals was well-earned, and our fans showed out tonight as always.

What hurts me the most about this #AustinFC loss is Surridge nailing Nashville's pen and Uzuni missing ours. The difference was that thin. Well fought match on both sides, but it's Surridge's season.

This is a pic after the FC2 team lost in the US Open Cup last year. He not only came over to sign autographs for the kids but also got the rest of the team to do it too. So happy he scored the winner last night.

From one of our members:

This is a pic after the FC2 team lost in the US Open Cup last year. He not only came over to sign autographs for the kids but also got the rest of the team to do it too. So happy he scored the winner last night.

Kindel-Koivunen-Hayes really dominated the 2nd and 3rd periods, imo. Even though some of the production was on the PP, I thought they generated a good amount of chances in all situations.

"But now they're going to take it even further."

They were going to do it anyway. They want you and what you represent dead, forever. Get comfortable with that.

I'm sorry for everyone with baby ears, you might want to close your ears for this: This was not a Pandora's Box moment. That moment has long come and gone. You just weren't ready to acknowledge it.

Absolutely agree. The summer window ended up feeling like Rodo punted on '25 because the team isn't good enough to go all in now. Or maybe he simply couldn't get the deals done he wanted. But he's running out of time before the whole roster build is a bust!

I agree that Vazquez and Uzuni have not worked well together. One of them at striker plus a DP winger that's more creative (e.g. Dreyer, Ojeda, Espinoza, etc.) could've worked, too. I also think our depth — which looks good on paper — hasn't really shown up on the field.

I lean toward the former camp because I didn't expect Austin to be real competitors til 2026. But I do think Rodo's left open too wide a range of outcomes for his roster build. He could just as easily look awful as he could a genius.

Are we one creative playmaker away? If not, we're in trouble.

Seems like there are two camps of #AustinFC fans in how they view Rodo's performance. Those who think he's elevated the team's level and those who think that level isn't high enough. To me, both of those positions are fair, and how much weight you give one just depends on your expectations for 2025.

Idk, that's a question I don't think I'm qualified to answer. If it does, I hope people are annoyed. I know NBA fans have been annoyed paying for tickets not knowing when star players will sit out. Similar situation. The players deserve rest, but what should fans do? Idk a good answer for NBA.

In fact, I didn't even expect him and Alba to be suspended. A rare case where I...agree with Don Garber?? 😄

Surely, Messi made up his mind much earlier. If team, league, and player had communicated better, then fans wouldn't feel so let down by his absence.

I'm good with the rule changing in the future, but in this case, Messi and Inter Miami made a poor decision and have to face the consequence.

For sure, I agree in principle. The conflating factor for me was MLS — up til Wednesday AM — put him in all promotions, included him on the official roster, and communicated publicly and privately to reporters that Messi was expected to attend. He didn't wake up Wednesday and decide he wasn't fit.

Now, I do agree with the sentiment that scheduling league matches two days later is crazy. Still, as others have noted, everyone else who played would've loved a break. But they showed up anyway.

The crowd booed Messi when his name was announced at Q2, and many of those booing probably love him.

This isn't that hard to understand. Who's the all-star game for? Fans. Particularly kids.

Frankly, Messi didn't even have to play Wednesday. If he'd just shown up for photos and autographs, everyone would be happy. Instead, I personally know kids who left Q2 crushed.

Unsurprising, horrifying, shameful outcome in a legal system that actively supports abusers and makes life more difficult for victims.

Sadly, this is par for the course in North America, and especially for young male hockey players.

Many people are saying this 👏😅

Glad #AustinFC bagged a win heading into the All-Star game. The vibes are going to be good next week.

Also, last night it was an Austin DP providing just that little extra edge in a win. Doesn't feel like that's happened a whole lot in the last three years.

Damn. Layers to this joke. Well played!

And it's true Pens fans are sensitive about the topic. But I think you guys can probably relate, considering how you feel about Brian Burke saying Matthews would leave for Arizona. Until Sid changes his tune, this trade talk is beyond wish casting.

Appreciated most of your discussion here on Sid. One additional layer you didn't get into: Sid has never once hesitated to say he wants to stay in Pittsburgh. It's not like McDavid or some others who've said, "We'll see," etc. Publicly and privately, according to reporters, he's never wavered.

There was never a minute I truly thought Austin would win that match, and yet...

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

I've probably said this before, but the team doesn't deserve all the support they get from our fans.

What's left to say about #AustinFC this year? In addition to lacking creativity, showing no cohesion, and being unable to execute even simple plays, they're also just incredibly dull.

Best hockey postgame analysis I can remember listening to or reading, game in and game out. Well done, boys.

We don't deserve this.