Ahead of the 2024 season, the president of Austin FC discusses rule improvements that will benefit fans and the unveiling of the team’s jersey.
Although Loughnane acknowledged that missing the playoffs the previous season “stings a little bit,” he claimed there wasn’t enough time to relax in order to be ready for what he thinks would be a significant comeback in 2024. He mentioned that the unveiling of a new away outfit was one of the major occasions for which the team trained during the offseason. Loughnane described the connections between the history and design of the jersey to various regions of Austin.
According to him, the design was inspired by something that seemed to hark back to bygone eras, both culturally and fashion-wise. “We would like to honor a longstanding Austin establishment that contributed to the city’s reputation as a creatively vibrant and welcoming community.”
According to him, the new jersey honors “musical inspiration that had its heyday back in the 1970s.” February 15 is the formal reveal date, according to Loughnane.
However, it looks like there have been two ways in which the jersey has been made publically available. Photo of what seems to be the new jersey on display at the Adidas outlet store in San Marcos on February 8 was shared to KXAN by an astute observer.
Austin’s new jersey, along with the jerseys of numerous other MLS teams, were leaked by Electronic Arts, a California-based business with a campus in Austin that creates the hugely popular soccer video game EA Sports FC 24 (previously the FIFA game series). The website GOAL.com revealed in late January that 16 clubs’ new jerseys were released ahead of schedule as part of an upgrade to the game’s Ultimate Team mode.
MLS regulation modifications
Loughnane also talked about rule modifications that the MLS calls “competitive initiatives.” Preventing injuries is one of the changes aimed at reducing time wastage. Play will be halted to allow the medical staff to attend to a player who appears to be injured if they are on the field for more than 15 seconds. The player is removed from the field and cannot return for at least two minutes while receiving treatment, so the team is reduced to ten players.
According to Loughnane, “MLS is at the forefront of this pretty important rule change.” “I believe that this will significantly lower the number of times that players are excessively on the ground.”
After a win and a draw in Florida, Austin FC heads to preseason training camp. According to the MLS, there are a few exceptions to the rule: suspected head injuries, goalie injuries, fouls that result in bookings, and “serious medical events.”
Players are no longer permitted to take their time leaving the field to be replaced. MLS is attempting to stop that, as it’s another sly way to eat up time in the closing stages of a game.
The player that was substituted now has ten seconds to exit the field. They merely need to be outside the lines in some manner, according to Loughnane; they don’t have to head straight to the team’s bench. The team will shorthanded one player if the player doesn’t leave the field in time and is held back for a minute before joining the game.
Loughnane explained, “It’s another way to try to create something a little more fan-friendly.”Last year’s MLS Next Pro games employed both regulations. 99.7% of substitutions occurred in 10 seconds or fewer, according to league statistics.
While work is being done, Austin FC starts its preseason training camp. Are you sick and weary of not knowing how much time remains after the extra time?
Don’t wonder any longer. MLS will now continue the stadium clocks for spectators after the fourth official announces the amount of extra time that will be available, rather than stopping them at 45:00 and 90:00.
Austin FC is presently playing at the Coachella Valley Invitational in Indio, California, as part of its preseason schedule. On Sunday at 12:00 CT, they will play the LA Galaxy. The match can be seen live on austinfc.com.