Major League Soccer announced a big change this week. The league is shifting its calendar to align with the top leagues in the sport. Instead of playing matches from January to November, the 2027-28 season will begin in late July with a champion crowned in May.

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Austin FC will get a new away shirt next season, set to replace the “Amadillo” shirt introduced ahead of the 2024 season. The shirt paid homage to the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters, the Austin music venue at the epicenter of the cosmic cowboy music wave. The shirt also gave Austin FC a mascot: an armadillo named Speed Bump. ‘Dillo handler Swift Sparks tells us all about Speed Bump’s celebrity, what it takes to care for him, and what the future holds for their partnership with Austin FC.

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Austin FC is headed to the 2025 MLS playoffs. A key reason for that is Diego Rubio. The veteran stepped into a bigger-than-anticipated role after Brandon Vázquez's season-ending injury. Rubio turned pro at age 17 in his native Chile. His passion to compete and penchant for scoring goals got the attention of the Chilean National Team. He played for clubs in Portugal, Spain, Kansas City, and Denver before joining Austin FC last year. Rubio joins hosts Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia to talk about his maturation as a player, the importance of family, and building a legacy.

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