Three things we learned from Austin FC's preseason win over FC Cincinnati

Verde got the winning goal against a pretty junior crew, but they're still undefeated two games into the preseason.

For Austin FC, Al Lang Stadium is alright (alright alright).

Verde got its first win of the 2024 season on Friday afternoon, 2-1 over FC Cincinnati, concluding a two-match unbeaten run at its temporary home in St. Petersburg, Fla. The team got a first-half headed goal from Valentin Nöel off an impressive Jader Obrian assist, and Sebastián Driussi provided the second-half game-winner — though FCC did roll out a much less seasoned roster of players than they did in the first half to defend against a mix of Verde starters and subs.

FCC’s first-half lineup included Luciano Acosta, who was last year’s MLS MVP; Aaron Boupendza, Knifey Lion’s lone scorer; Miles Robinson, the recently-traded U.S. men’s national team defender … and Kipp Keller, moved to FC Cincinnati in the wheeling and dealing that allowed Austin FC to pick up Obrian in the Re-Entry Draft (though they probably didn’t have to do all that wheeling and dealing to get him, but that’s another story for another time).

Here are three things we learned from the match — again, mediated by occasional social media posts from Austin FC and a blog maintained by the opponents.

Zardes is back in action (and that’s a familiar face trailing the play …) (Austin FC/Twitter)