GABRIELSEN IS GONE, NOW WHAT?
Austin FC fans have had a busy and emotional off-season ever since the 2022 ended. Only 21 days after the 2022 west conference final 3-0 defeat vs LAFC, rumors started arriving to the eyes and ears of the Verde fans. It all began with the possible arrival (that would later be confirmed) of a brand new #9, a position that both the club and fans agreed needed some better options. That being the renowned MLS and USMNT striker Gyasi Zardes. This was the first sign that the club was making moves to improve the weaker spots of the roster. However, while many fans were satisfied with possibly solving the goal-scoring inconsistency of the Austin FC strikers, many were asking for a solution for an even bigger problem: the defense.
In the 2022 season Austin FC had an amazing dream-like improvement, going from second to last in 2021 to west conference finalists 2022. Nevertheless, despite the incredible amount of goals scored by the team, the defense also struggled quite often. One of the reasons was the fact that there were only two CB options for substitutions. One being Romaña, who struggled mentally, emotionally, and physically during the length of the season, and 2022 Super Draft pick Kipp Keller, who while being a great prospect still lacked some experience. This led to Julio Cascante and locker room and on-field unofficial captain Ruben Gabrielsen to start and play nearly every match of the season. While the pair did a very good job, still 49 goals were scored against Austin, and the last 3 of those goals were the most hurtful. Ruben, who sat quietly in deep thoughts while watching LAFC lift the western conference final trophy, gave that moment particular importance. When asked about why he stayed watching the rival’s celebration, he said that he “wanted to feel that pain… and come back strong.” He seemed ready and hungry for the next season to make sure it would be him the one celebrating the following year, which is why no one expected what came soon after.
In the middle of December, while everyone was getting ready for the holiday season, big news hit the entirety of the Verde fan base. The beloved, motivational, and for many true captain of the team Ruben, was set to leave Austin FC to join his boyhood Norwegian club Lillestrom SK. The reason behind this huge punch to the gut for the fans was a very valid one: Ruben’s son needed some special care and, along with his wife, he decided that the best way to provide that care for him was to go back to Norway. The club respected that decision and helped them with the transfer, and just like that Ruben was ready to say farewell to the city and the fans that he definitely enjoyed being a part of. However, he knew he couldn’t leave the club without making sure there would be someone to take his place at the CB position ready to help the team. Before the official announcement of Gabrielsen’s departure, Austin FC gave fans a little early Christmas present: the signing of defender Leo Väisänen. Many were happy to have added one more CB to the roster to strengthen the defensive line, but that joy didn’t last long as the news of the team’s best center-back leaving was also made official a day later. While being in an emotionally difficult time, the Verde fanbase was very understandably worried about the now even weaker defensive situation for the 2023 season. All eyes and questions would fall now on Austin FC’s newest and unfamiliar acquisition. Nevertheless, Josh Wolff and Claudio Reyna chose Leo Väisänen to fill the hole that Ruben’s departure left behind, and if we look at their player signing record things might not be as bad as they sound.
Leo is a 25-year-old 6’1” right footed CB from Finland. He comes from Swedish club IF Elfsborg for which he regularly started for the last 3 seasons. He has also started consistently for the Finnish National Team, with the latest match played vs Norway (whose captain is current Arsenal and EPL star Martin Ødegaard) on November 20th of 2022. The match ended in a 1-1 draw with a solid performance by Väisänen. When looking at the last 5 matches where he was present with the Finnish National team, he started all 5, won 4, three of them with a clean sheet, tied one, and allowed only 2 goals in two separate matches.
Väisänen, being at 25 years old, is at what some people would refer to as the peak age for a soccer player. At this point he has made 94 appearances for IF Elfsborg, recording 4 goals and 4 assists, and 23 appearances for the Finnish National team. He weighs 168 pounds, which along with his tall and slim but athletic attributes makes for a quick-to-fast right central defender with good awareness and positioning as his best qualities. He mainly plays at the right center back position but also has experience playing as a right back on occasions, allowing him to lend a hand and cover the right side when Lima/Jimenez push forward in transitional attacking. He is also comfortable looking for that occasional header goal from a corner kick (although it seems that Cascante has that part covered). As a young and rebellious player he doesn’t give balls up, often clearing balls off the goal line and being the last man standing between the rival and a clear goal opportunity. He comes to Austin FC on a four-year contract through the end of the 2026 season, with a club option for 2027. This means the club is betting on exploding his potential and working on making him, along with Julio, the undoubtedly solid face of the Verde defense for the next few years.
FUN FACT: Josh Wolff and Claudio Reyna have had Leo as a signing target for a long time. As a matter of fact, he was their #1 option for new CB and Gabrielsen was option #2 back in 2021. The deal for Leo Väisänen wasn’t possible at the time so they signed Ruben who, needless to say, exceeded all expectations.
When looking at the reasons why Julio is still Josh Wolff’s first defensive choice, it heavily relies on the offensive quality that he brings to the team. After all, he scored 3 goals, had 2 assists and 11 chance creations last season, which is why pairing him with a mostly strictly defensive and well positional player like Leo makes sense.
Leo, who had been waiting on the approval of his P-1 Visa since his announcement, arrived on January 24th to Florida. He passed his medical exams and soon joined the team in the preseason with one month to go before the first official match of 2023. This means he will have plenty of time to get to know the coach, players, staff, and particularly his new defensive partner Julio. All in time to prepare themselves to receive for the first time the new expansion team St. Louis City at Q2 stadium on February 25th.
While it is true that the Austin FC defense could still very well use yet another center back, signing Leo as a long term investment for defensive security is something that should have fans proud, hopeful, and excited for the future, including the very long 2023 season that is about to begin.
Written By : Alexander Sanabria
Ruben Gabrielsen watching LAFC celebrate the Western Conference Championship
Photo Via Rudy Arredondo
