Hello False Niners!
I am filling in for Louis this week as he needed a break after finding out about the demise of his beloved chickens. As he soul searches (his own, chickens don’t have souls) he is still in communication and he will be back soon.
It is a beautiful morning near Austin, TX and as I sit sipping my morning tea (Earl Grey, lukewarm) it’s hard to think of a time when this fan base was as optimistic as it currently is. Lots of big summer signings, a new coach who engages with fans, and of course, an opening match 1-0 win at home where the winner was scored off the face of a Designated Player in front of the Supporter’s Section. Even enemy of the site Mike Crugnola‘s usual optimism has become…more optimistic?
Of course, we don’t want Austin to burn too bright too early and become a 18-1 Patriots situation, so a mere 33-0-1 in the regular season and sweeping the playoffs will suffice for us. (The one loss of course being at Dallas when Nico gets the players too hyped and multiple red cards ensue like AFC Richmond at West Ham).
Before Louis left The Compound he did let me in on a secret. With a wink in his eye he led me out to a remote part of the property that I don’t visit unless I’m trying to re-enact the training montage in Rocky IV, but with cacti instead of logs.
On the wall of a dilapidated shed I saw two oddly shaped birdhouses. “What birds live in those?” I asked, only having a Bachelor’s in Ornithology and thus my knowledge is limited.
“They’re for my newest love and predictors, I need you to watch them for now. Come back here at dusk with an open heart and pure mind and you will see what I have seen.”
“How many animals do you think can predict soccer matches correctly?” I asked incredulously.
Louis simply smiled, “Their Austin FC record is as perfect as Nico’s” and turned away to walk off, not in the direction of The Compound.
I returned at dusk, with my customary dusk drink: Early Grey Tea, tepid. I saw what Louis was talking about emerge from the weird wooden structure: a bat. It flew majestically as it did what bats do best: eat any flying insects in the general area. Wondering what made Louis think of adding these creatures to our menagerie my phone buzzed, it was Louis “3-1 Austin win, be kind to Batty White and any other bats who make their homes here.”
Austin FC: 3 – Vancouver’s Younger Brother: 1
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