Inside Soccer
Inside Soccer
Episode 7 - Supporters Thoughts, Austin Anthem
Matt Barbour from Austin Anthem SG joins Inside Soccer to share fans perspectives of launching a new team and challenges created by Covid. It's important to keep your fans engaged during these changing times.
Hello and welcome back.
Unknown Speaker :You're listening to another incredible episode
Unknown Speaker :of Inside soccer when your host bill Peterson inside soccer brings you a soccer fan expert analysis and opinion on the critical issues facing the game today. also bringing guests that have incredible stories and historical perspectives on the game. With soccer experience spanning 20 years, a Rolodex is open to bring you the voices and opinions you want. Sit back at wherever you are in the world. enjoy today's episode.
Unknown Speaker :I want to welcome all of our listeners inside soccer. This is Episode Seven. This is the fan episode and this is fan week here on inside soccer, the world of sports going through many trials and tribulations related to global issues. We're seeing sporting events being held without without sports most important stakeholders, the fans themselves. We're not assigning any blame whatsoever, but Are the leagues and the team staying in touch was the reason all this exists? the pleasure of the fans, our fans being considered in indecisions? And are they getting the value they deserve? How much can vans take before they lose interest or that connection that they absolutely have now? These are just some of the questions we're going to try to answer and talk about, but we'll also talk about life in the supporters group culture. We're fortunate today to have Matt barber with us. Matt is part of the Austin anthem, which is one of those supporters groups for Austin FC, in Major League Soccer, they are set to kick off next season 2021. So they are literally on the sideline watching all this unfold. And I'm really excited, Matt, to have you here today. So thank you and welcome.
Unknown Speaker :Thank you much for having me, Bill. Pleasure to be here.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, it's a you're gonna unlock a lot of questions that we have. And unfortunately, I always have a lot of questions and not a lot of time. So we're gonna try to keep it to 35 minutes. And we'll we'll get through this but I think a lot of people if they don't have a lot of questions, they should have a lot of questions of what's going through the mind of a fan what's going through the collective minds of supporters groups as we talk about soccer specifically. And at some point, you know, when is it too much to sort of continue to do what you're doing? Because it does take a lot of effort and it takes a lot of time and it takes even money sometimes to to support your local team and I know it's much appreciated by ownership and and the people who run it, but boy, it's it's it's there's some work involved in it. So anyway, let's jump into this. And let's get started with some just basic background and how you are attracted to the supporters group culture. And, and tell us a little bit about your life there with the answer.
Unknown Speaker :Well, I guess I'll start off by revealing my age and saying, I mean, I, I originally grew up in Dallas. And, you know, I remember being aware of the original NSL tornado and Karl Rove Jr. But it was really like the 94 World Cup, like a lot of people that got me hooked on the sport. And after moving around the country a little bit, you know, ended up going back to Frisco and, you know, went to a lot of FC Dallas matches and was fortunate enough to be a season ticket holder there for a period of time. So once we, once we ended up being in Austin, it was just a natural thing. After we, you know, we knew the team was going to be coming here to reach out to and be and be a part of the anthem game to help, help grow help grow the sport in Austin, you know, even besides MLS team, you know, a lot to do with with the local Club organizations and you know, there's already a pretty strong movement to possibly get an nws, our team here. So I think it's, it's going to end up being a great a great place for soccer for sure. And you know, once once you start playing again
Unknown Speaker :What does your involvement in the supporters group so sort of What's it do for you personally?
Unknown Speaker :Well, I mean, it gives you
Unknown Speaker :a place to put your soccer energies for sure. I mean, it's really nice having different events for you know, for any major matches that are happening be the big EPL matches or Champions League matches, or obviously all the important MLS matches. So you know, it's nice to have a group of like minded people for sure to go out and enjoy those with, like, definitely the kickoff event. You know, for the announcement of the team was a huge deal and it was a lot of fun for for everyone, but it's at I think it's being around young people that you know, share that love of the game but it's there's a lot of us that it's more than just the sport on the field. It's it's the atmosphere of the stadium, it's, it's the culture of being a part of a group of people that are always socially conscious and inclusive. And so I think there's a there's a lot that goes goes into it beyond just the sport itself and it's kind of unique to soccer, you know, not every not every sport has fans like soccer fans,
Unknown Speaker :I think it's very unique and it's it's always been something I enjoy sort of watching and you know, sometimes wishing that you could get down there and participate with them because it just looks like fine looks like a license to have fun at the events and, and, and I think a lot of people do but before we go deeper into that, I want to back up just a little bit. So I've got this question. I'm gonna I'm gonna go off track here for a second. But you mentioned Dallas and Frisco specifically and in past life, you know, I travel to Dallas quite a bit. And actually I lived in Dallas for three months. But I was at a G when the hunt family and Lamar decided to build a soccer specific Stadium in Frisco. And I was asked to go out and take a look at where they were going to do it and see if we could learn anything from what we were trying to do. And I could remember, you know, eventually getting the Frisco gone. Are we even in Texas anymore? I mean, it's just it seems so far out. And there was nothing like there is today as far as development. And for years now, not just not just today, but for years. Now. I've said you know, Lamar and his family have had a lot of great insights and a lot of great for thoughts on many things, and I've been fortunate to know Him through my NFL and MLS connections. But, boy, I would have never guessed that day stand in there looking at a high school and a plot of empty land that it was going to be what it was living there yourself. Did you think that was the right decision at the time?
Unknown Speaker :Oh, boy, oh, that's an MLS 2.0 argument on big soccer kind of a question there. I don't think anybody thought it was ideal. I mean, for sure. And especially, you know, once you get to where that, you know, the second big wave of expansion came around and everybody was looking at downtown stadiums. You know, there's a ton of us that were in Dallas at the time, you know, that would have loved for the there to be a better downtown facility then then the Cotton Bowl, which was definitely not ideal for a variety of reasons. But, you know, if you look at it realistically, it was never, it was also never going to happen down there. I mean, look, the Cowboys couldn't build a stadium in downtown Dallas. So if they couldn't get it done you know there's not even a reason to believe that FC Dallas could could have gotten it done economically so for for the time and for where they were the league was and its life you know for where FC Dallas was and their traction in the DFW area I think they probably did about as well as they could have, you know, there it was a choice between multiple different suburbs of where they would have gone. I mean, it is pretty darn accessible for a lot of the city not all of the city but for a lot of the city. You can get to it and you know, and you did mention I mean there's a lot that's grown up around it I don't know how much of that they really planned on because there's no they didn't have a lot to do with necessarily all of frescoes growth, but I mean it first goes now pretty large town in its own right and you know, it's well over 150,000 people at this point, you know, and they've got the star there at the stars, the Dallas Stars hockey team practices there. I mean I don't know if you've been since they built this up in the Hall of Fame, but that's a great facility. So, you know, the short answer is no. Is it perfect? No with a Dallas are better served by a more central stadium. Yes. But it, it is what it is. And you know, fans there need that kind of support, support what they have. They're not gonna move anytime soon for sure.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah. No, that's right. Look, as some people seem to be able to literally see around corners. And for whatever reasons, I'm sure there's a lot of reasons. It has developed and worked out for them. And at the time, when that was being built. I mean, that's those were those were risky propositions building soccer specific stadiums anywhere. And it wasn't easy, and it took a lot of effort. So you know, I've always applauded those guys that were early on, and getting this done and providing opportunities for other people to come in and build bigger and better stadiums. So let's let's move back to Austin and I've got one more market question. And then we will get into focusing on supporters. But Austin for me, Austin was always a city and I've been to Austin, I don't know 20 times maybe I love Austin for a lot of reasons. But it was always a city that people were afraid of UT they were afraid of putting a pro team in Austin because of sort of the college culture Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it was just different. And was it going to be you know, all powerful. Everything has to be UT and Austin and nothing else is really permitted. Catch me up a little bit with you know how that was addressed or or put to bed and how you got over it, I guess, as a team to go forward and put Austin FC there.
Unknown Speaker :Well, I think maybe twice years ago or plus you know that would have been a bigger concern but these days honestly now
Unknown Speaker :you're trying to me Stop it
Unknown Speaker :you know once you're once you off to drag you know which is you know, the Guadalupe Yolanda main streets that borders the Texas campus in Austin doesn't feel like a college town for most the city it's not like you every restaurant or every bar you go to as long horn gear up or you don't necessarily see you know, people driving around with you know, long horn decals on their cars everywhere. It's not a topic of conversation Ever wonder man, there's the full disclosure, I'm an Aggie, I went to Texas a&m, so I mean, I'm, you know, take that for what you will but there's plenty of people around town that attended plenty of other Texas colleges and there's, with all the tech companies that have moved here in the last 10 to 15 years, there's people from all over all over the country so made it it just doesn't feel like a college town, you know, College Station or texting. It just feels like a college town. And it's it's Send it around. Hmm, everything there is all it is all the time. Austin's definitely not like that. So I think Canvas was a legit barrier when it comes to looking at stadium locations and trying to get something in the downtown downtown area because the 40 acres takes up a lot of space. But just from a cultural aspect and accepting you know, accepting a protein I think that's something Austin was ripe for. It came with people like me or people that didn't go to Texas, we're never going to be Longhorn fans. No matter what. Austin There seems to be a place that we can all come together.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, okay. Well, that makes sense. And look, I know there's a heck of investment there and these people have thought this through so I have no reason to doubt that's going to be nothing but wildly successful. So let's move forward to today and, you know, the world is dealing with This, this covert situation. Within our little world of sports, there's a lot of discussion I'm sure there's a lot of rooms full of people trying to figure out the best way to go forward we've seen you know NASCAR, take a risk and go out and start racing and as I said earlier that's a little bit different. We saw the EPL come back we've seen Bundesliga come back. So let's start you guys are you guys are eight or nine months out from from kicking off? How is this affecting you today?
Unknown Speaker :Today, I don't think it's really impacting Austin FC at all. I mean, they're still doing everything you know, and the build up stage to the first year so it's all fun office stuff right now. So they they can keep doing everything as his main effects the supporters group and that you know, the, the normal events that you would be having all summer long, you know, just either art happening or happening in very different ways. You know, certainly, you know, once we get around to being in the season again, I mean, I think the idea of possibly kicking off the first ever season you know, the first ever game in the new stadium and it potentially being either fan free or a socially distant distance match isn't isn't the appealing thing ever. So I think there's a lot of hope that there's a vaccine or something by them that will allow, you know, allow us to have a normal match day experience that I think there's also a lot of young people just seeing reality. I mean, look at look at just what just happened with the Orlando pride You mean you know, so many of their players tested positive this players in almost every sport, trying to get back up, testing positive, you're reading about it, almost Daly, I mean, we're, you know, we're not in the same place that Germany is and that the wound is laid has been able to get back up and running and it hasn't had any players. That's positive. Yeah, we're, I'm in this I'm speaking for myself, for sure. Not for supporters group, but I mean, I'm highly skeptical of sports, you know, in the US playing out the fall light, like normal. So if we're looking at all that and hopeful next spring start for, for us and you know, for the MLS season as a whole. I mean, it's it's hard to see it happening without there being some medical breakthroughs between between now and then.
Unknown Speaker :So you mentioned this early in that answer the the anthem has had to cancel some of their events. Give us a couple of examples of things that you would normally be doing at this time of the year. If you knew 100% you were going to launch and your goal was to you know, capture the city. Fill the stadium And create an incredible event. What are the types of things you'd be doing now that you just have had to cancel?
Unknown Speaker :Well, I was thinking while I'm on the lines of like watch parties, because, you know, I mean, there's a diverse fan bases, particularly for all the EPL teams, you know, within, within the groups. And then there's, you know, there's always been watched parties for all the major MLS matches, and then any, any of the involvement with the local clubs. I mean, I think there's, you know, that's been a problem, too, because, you know, even high school sports, you know, and I'm talking outside of soccer now, we're even having a hard time getting there. There's summer camps going without, you know, hearing about positive tests. I mean, there's numerous high school you know, high school football is a big thing in Texas, and I've been hearing on a regular basis about, you know, positive test there, but I can't speak to any I've specifically heard of any local clubs soccer teams, but for what you're hearing in the news, certainly about other sports as it's, it's a concern there as well. It's gotta be
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, no, you're absolutely right. And we're gonna come back and talk a little bit about, you know, what happens if the season does launch and then there are, you know, more positive tests amongst fans or players or whatever but So Matt, let's let's talk a little bit about the, the feelings that you and or the supporters group have. When you start thinking about, you know, you've got a certain period of time between now and kickoff, you're not sure what's going to happen. You haven't created this situation, but you're gonna have to deal with it. You're not an existing team, so you're not quite sure where your fan base is. You're starting from scratch. You know, are you fearful isn't a resignation and throw up your arms. There's nothing we can do. How are you guys handling this because it's a unique situation.
Unknown Speaker :It is, I think, as a supporters group and kind of speaking just as a regular job member, not as part of the leadership but they've they've really been doing a good job of trying to keep momentum, if you will, and they've, they've kept up you know, different like social activism events, you know, like, say doing a food drive. You know, there was, you know, certainly some statements you know, and and community efforts surrounding you know, the, you know, the George Floyd murder and all of you know, all the the company protests, they recently held a, you know, a virtual event for for members. You know, one thing that they've been Being on from the beginning is, you know, kind of embracing, you know, pride, you know, for the LGBTQ community. So that's it, and they're keeping up with all those things. So even it's, that's one of the good things about a soccer supporters group, it's not just what's happening on the field, kind of like what I said earlier. I mean, there's just a whole lot more that's going on with the community, I think that's where they're focusing for now, you know, just because, you know, there's not a lot of the normal event related stuff that you would expect, you know, because you'd like leading up to the MLS, the original MLS season, and, you know, there's, you know, most of the communication had to do, you know, with coming to the kickoff watch parties, and, you know, what was gonna happen in around the matches, and it's kind of, you know, shifted a bit, you know, more to the community related stuff. And I think that's a great way of keeping keeping everybody involved. And, you know, to your other question, you know, definitely not pessimistic, hopeful. I mean, everybody's hopeful that we get Back to sports, you know, on a normal basis sooner or later, but at the same time, I think people are also realistic, you know, there may have to be some changes, if not accommodations, you know, for a period of time.
Unknown Speaker :And Matt, what happens if we get to the spring of next year and the league launches? And we're still playing in front of or still playing in empty stadiums? How does that affect fandom? How does it affect your supporters group and your interest?
Unknown Speaker :I think that would be you know, I don't know say something like devastating but it would certainly be a setback I mean, how could it not be you know, because you know, going into that launch of a new team is you know, that's as you well know. I mean, that's, that's the time when you're gonna you know, you have an openness with your with your team and you know, the relationship between the team in this city and optimism like you have at nowhere there period of time in a sports franchise. Life, you know, as soon as they start playing, you know, people are gonna be mad at the coach mad at the ownership, the left back, you know, whatever it is that you know and that lead up to launch I mean, it's just you know nothing about optimism. So that's if they don't have that leading into the first match I think that'll be unfortunate. But at the same time, I'm confident enough in the creativity of supporters groups in general and, and anthem in particular, that, you know, there will still be creative ways for people to be a part of the launch and you know, to still feel still feel a part of the community, but just, you know, for the team, and certainly even from a business perspective, you really hope that they're able to launch in a normal in a normal way with a packed stadium and you know, have that moment like every other recent expansion teams had.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, let's hope it doesn't come to that. So our next question is, you know, how has the community reacted to a so Porter's group, I mean, do they really understand the context of what you do is are there are there sort of some opinions based on something they see on TV or the news already? You know, there's been even in this country, there have been times where some of the supporters groups have gotten a little bit out of band, and maybe negatively affected the entire sort of mission, if you will. How has it been in Austin so far?
Unknown Speaker :I think there's more curiosity. I mean, if I were, you know, an anthem shirt out somewhere, I mean, I almost always get asked about it. And same if I were in Austin FC Jeremy, frankly, there's people that don't even understand the concept of a supporters group. You know, there's people that have heard we're going to have a pro team and they think the anthem is the actual team and not the supporters. So minutes, it ends up being a good conversation starter, for sure. A lot of the time, and then kind of explaining, you know, the kinds of things of supporters group does You know, whether it's making tifo together coming up with chance, you know, just going to different watch parties, you know, all the community related stuff I was talking about earlier. So there's, it's great to have the opportunity to talk to non fans. But I feel that way about the sport in general awesome. And it's always, it's always nice type of conversation with someone that doesn't know much about the sport or that that happens less than less these days. But if someone's curious and wants to know, it's, it's great to be able to fill them in a bit. I mean, most people in town know that we have a team coming. They just don't necessarily know don't necessarily MLS fans, and you know, they're not really into watching any matches for any other cities necessarily for and again, I'm just kind of speaking broad population Not, not soccer fans, obviously. But I think once we have an actual team playing games and that they're on TV and local, I think there's going to be a lot of online of interest have been one great thing that's, you know, the Austin American statesman, the local papers doesn't mean they already have a soccer beat writer. You know, Chris Mills does a great job of covering not just Austin FC news, but he also covers, you know, the bowl, the USL team and he's covered covers happenings around around the league and so it's at the community is going to be is going to embrace it for sure.
Unknown Speaker :That's fantastic. And Matt does does the anthem try to model itself or do you guys compare yourselves to any other teams or leagues either in the United States or outside the United States?
Unknown Speaker :I don't think so. I mean, I think there's there's always an element of supporters groups of seeing something that worked or a chant or song that sounded good or you know, a logo Or look or a TiVo or whatever was that that was interesting. But you know, I think every every supporters group for every understand the listing, but team around the world wants to create their own identity. So I think there certainly can be an his appreciation for what groups and other places have done, but I don't know that could speak to one in particular that is like, Oh, yeah, the anthems tried to be like, This board is grip in particular, or at least not, not from what I've seen.
Unknown Speaker :It's probably better, you know, the for drum path and be yourselves and be be unique to Austin. That's, uh, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. So, next question, and we sort of touched on this in the very beginning, but are you in contact with the ownership group or the front office? Are they are they keeping you up to speed with what's happening around the league as it relates to the discussions that are going on and are they soliciting feedback from from the anthem of, you know, guys, if this is the direction we're going, you know, What's your reaction? What do you think? Can you contribute some thoughts to this? Are you guys part of all this?
Unknown Speaker :I certainly can't speak to it from a personal level. I mean, I know that the leadership of the anthem has definitely been in contact with the front office and, you know, is in regular contact with the, with the front office, and certainly with Anthony pre core, and I know that they did a great job of reaching out to anthem during the entire, you know, franchise, slash, potential move process, you know, to get all kinds of feedback. So they, I think the team man has done their due diligence there during this period of time, I mean, there's not as much I guess, to necessarily discuss or go over just because you were, I mean, the one thing that they are doing is, you know, they're in the middle of the season ticket drive. So I mean, there's quite a bit of communication as far as that goes, but I guess as far as You know, worrying about the season? Not as much, you know this because it's still just far enough off that, you know, I think, like I said before, there's still that hope that things can be back to normal by then.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, season tickets are going to be a big issue for any sports that are starting, you know, starting this fall, but also this spring, where, you know, you're probably in the sales cycle now. And I guess the first question is, you know, if I buy a season ticket, am I getting a full slate of games? Or am I only invited after games, that I got to move my seat location? I mean, you know, and I can only imagine all the questions that a potential season ticket buyer is asking right now, and I can imagine that the clubs unfortunately don't have all the answers yet because none of us have all the answers and there's not a real clarity of where this is going to be or what it's going to look like and three months, six months, nine months, so it's, it's definitely challenging times. It's You know, it's unique to sports, I think. But you know, we're all affected one way or the other. So, next question. Matt is, what do you think the anthem does better than the other supporters groups? What do you guys really pride yourself in? What do you think you do that's just unique or better than what others are doing?
Unknown Speaker :I think we have a great logo for starters. I mean, the grackle is certainly something that is very unique to Austin and he kind of spoke to everybody for sure. I think they did a very good job, you know, quickly of, you know, knowing knowing their lane I guess as far as socially where they wanted to be, and embracing it and not apologizing for it. So I think that's and that's why they've been able to do like I said, but they Recently more with all of the events that are more focused on on social issues issues than necessarily related to soccer so i think that's that's pretty key I mean not having been a member of any other supporters group before I can't speak to how necessarily unique it is but I I do know that it's something that they're doing that is certainly in great ingratiating them to membership here.
Unknown Speaker :Good stuff so two more questions Matt. One, any any really cool stories or shenanigans you can share with our listeners, we always ask every guest to think about something that maybe they've seen or been involved in that if you aren't involved as a supporter or in sports, you shake your head and go what but anything popped in mind.
Unknown Speaker :You mean, Austin or anthem specifically, or just in general?
Unknown Speaker :Well, I guess you could go in general will protect names and identities. We don't want anybody to get in trouble. But, you know, if there's anything you can share, we'll take it.
Unknown Speaker :And I think that the first thing that comes to mind and I hate to admit this publicly, but I mentioned earlier that I went to the denouncement for you know, when when Austin FC was was actually became official, but I got in accidentally wasn't technically, you know, because they did a lottery for people to be able to get in to the event. And, you know, I was at a bar where most of the anthem members are I just happened to have on anthem t shirt that day and people started leaving were singing and chanting and I was like, Okay, I'm just gonna go on there, buddy. We're gonna get to the event and everybody had to have a special certain badge, which I didn't have. So you know, I first get pulled out a line. But then I think to toss Tennessee's credit, you know, they saw it was kind of clearly there with the group and had a T shirt on and said, you know, just kind of go and come in and enjoy the festivities. So I guess it's probably not too salacious. But nonetheless, I think it was a fun day for me to get to be a part of that specifically and then appreciated, appreciated the team kind of, you know, turn, turn a blind eye and let me in there.
Unknown Speaker :It's always fun to be somewhere, you know, supposed to be. Exactly
Unknown Speaker :no matter what was fun. It was great. Right? Can't argue with that. So anything we should have asked you that we did.
Unknown Speaker :You probably should have asked me more about the whole run up to our stadium because there that was a pretty involved process and frankly, is there's a long period of time where I've looked pretty questionable if the team was really going to Be able to, to come here or not. And that's even when they were still the whole potential of it just being a move and not an expansion team. I guess I'd be remiss if I didn't say as a fan that I'm definitely glad things worked out the way they did. I'm glad that the crew are staying in Columbus because, you know, Columbus deserves to have a team as one of the originals of MLS. So everything worked out for the best in the end, but you know, some of the some of the stadium ideas, you know, we're about the only mistakes I would say Austin FC had to some locations they were looking at originally weren't, weren't very
Unknown Speaker :probable, I'll say,
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, well, you know, what we might bring you back on. And maybe somebody from the team when it gets later in the year to talk about that whole process. And I'm glad you brought it up, though, because I do believe if, if any of our listeners didn't follow the story It was a, it was a drama. And there are a lot of sides to it and a lot of opinions and at times, some anger and resentment. But at the end of the day, as you said, Matt, I think everybody should be happy with what the end result was. We serve a team in Columbus, which I think is important. We have a new team in Austin, which is really interesting, and everyone will pull for that. And you know, the stadium. You're right. I should probably ask more questions about stadiums, unfortunately, I think I've been through too many of those conversations and it sort of, I forget what it really means and what it's like to go through it's, it's really, really a tough process. From the day you go, Wow, we'd love to build a stadium in a city like Austin till the day that you actually open up the gates and up and let people in the amount of work and decisions and meetings and community meetings and all the things you have to finance meetings, the things you have to go through to get done or just, you know, they're just incredible. And I will say this, and we'll leave it there. The people who build them, really, really are passionate about the game. They're passionate about their communities. Because there's just no way there's not enough money for these guys to just do this because they think it's a great investment. I mean, they are they are building assets for the community and for the people in the community. And it is not easy every step of the way. It's almost like people don't want you to do it. So congrats on that. Congrats on your involvement with the anthem. Can you tell us where we get one of these t shirts you've mentioned about seven or eight times now so I think I'm gonna have to buy one.
Unknown Speaker :I think if we go to office anthem.org that's where you would be able to get them.
Unknown Speaker :All right, I'll be there tonight. Hopefully you've got my size. It's getting smaller, but it's still pretty big. Man, we appreciate you being on here and giving us some insight into a very unique situation, being part of a supporters group have a team that hasn't played a game yet. And we're living through COVID and other issues in this country and around the world. So I think it's very informative and really helps us put into perspective. You know, what life on the ground is like right now. And, you know, there's things obviously you guys are doing and there's some things that your hands are tied, and it's really tough, but we do appreciate you being on and hopefully you'll come back.
Unknown Speaker :Thank you very much for having me, Bill and would love to come back anytime.
Unknown Speaker :Absolutely. And good luck down there. So anyway, for our listeners. Stay tuned. This is Tuesday on Thursday. We'll have another group of fans and supporters on this is supporter week or fan week, if you want to call it that, as we dig into what's happening on the ground is as fans have to deal with these issues that are popping up. And as always, you know, don't miss a single episode. This is number seven, Thursday we'll be number eight, you can always go to our website www inside top sports.com to pick up past issues or episodes and you can also go into some of our most of your favorite podcast platforms and you will find us there so that wraps up a great addition and again want to thank Matt barber from Austin again and wish everybody Austin FC and Austin anthem, a ton of success and some good luck as well to go with it.