¡Vamos Verde!

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May 29, 2025

The One With The North End Pirates

By: Juan Garcia

Brothers Michael Canales and Brian Hensley have been by each other’s side for their highest highs and lowest lows. When the South End of Q2 stadium got a bit too rowdy for them, they crossed the pitch to the North End. They started leading family friendly chants and antagonizing opposing goalkeepers in a slightly mellower (and drier) side of the pitch. Hear how they got christened “The North End Pirates” and what it does for their relationship.

¡Vamos Verde! is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.


Episodes

September 18, 2025

The One With Owen Wolff

Austin FC midfielder Owen Wolff is having a breakout year. Fans at Q2 Stadium have seen glimpses of his brilliance on the field since 2021, but publicly, he’s been a bit of a mystery. Until now. He joins hosts Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia to talk about his five seasons in verde and black, along with his future.

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September 4, 2025

The One With Guillermo Ruiz

Austinite and FC Juarez goalie Guillermo Ruiz has been a pro for just a few years. He talks about how Raising Canes almost derailed his pro career, his time with Real Madrid, and the reasons he moved back to his home state to play across the border in Liga MX. Plus, Jimmy and Juan dare to repeatedly mention the P-word (playoffs) for Austin FC.

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August 21, 2025

The Other One With Nico Estévez

We check in with Austin FC head coach Nico Estevez with Austin FC making a push for a playoff spot in the last few matches of the season. Hear about his experience in Austin so far and what’s ahead for the remainder of the season.

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August 7, 2025

The One With The High School Champions

Austin area high schools won 5 UIL State Championships in soccer last school year, and others made deep runs in the playoffs. In honor of back-to-school season, Jimmy chats with three of the championship winning coaches about their title winning seasons.

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July 24, 2025

The One With Verdisimo And The Other All Stars

Jimmy Maas and Juan Garcia talk with Phil West of Verde All Day and Eric Goodman of the Austin Chronicle about the Major League Soccer All-Star Game and Austin FC’s prospects for the fall. Q2’s resident luchador Verdisimo takes on the Bayou Breeze. And the grudge match on the pitch is decided between supporter groups Los Verdes and Pollo FC.

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July 10, 2025

The All-Star One With Brad Stuver, Brandon Vázquez, and Andy Loughnane

Austin will host its first major league all-star game this month. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver talks about representing his squad at Q2 Stadium. Team president Andy Loughnane talks about what will be available for fans to do during MLS All-Star week and his brief career as a hockey referee. The team had to absorb some heavy news this week with striker Brandon Vazquez now out for the season due to a knee injury. In anticipation of his second All-Star game, he sat down with hosts Jimmy Maas and Juan Garcia before his injury. They chatted about his journey to the team, including many crossings of the border to train from his home in Southern California.

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July 3, 2025

The Second One With Ilie Sanchez

Austin FC’s captain Ilie Sanchez talks about his departure from Barcelona’s bubble, his relationship with then-Barça B manager Luis Enrique, and the decisions that led him to Major League Soccer and Austin.

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June 26, 2025

The First One With Ilie Sánchez

Defensive midfielder Ilie Sanchez’s career includes an MLS Cup and an All-Star Game appearance. But his start in professional soccer came with his hometown club, a little neighborhood club called F.C. Barcelona. In the first episode of a two-part interview, the Austin FC captain talks about his many sides, gives little life lessons he has picked up, and espouses the importance of “context.”

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