After years of raising its profile, Austin Rise is taking steps to become a professional women's soccer team by next spring. As their current 2026 season kicks off, Jimmy Maas and Juan Garcia talk with team co-founder Bethany Cyrtmus-Davaul, head coach Mykell Bates, and ex-Texas and McCallum High School player Katie Gernsbacher about taking the next step in the evolution of women's soccer in Austin.

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Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia talk with Christian Ramirez about his first minutes of action with Austin FC, with his game-winning goal in week two against DC United. Ramirez, a prolific goal scorer, was once known as "Superman" with Minnesota and won the 2023 MLS Cup with Columbus. He talks about what it's like to be waived in Major League Soccer, his surprise call from Austin FC, and what he sees his role on the team will be.

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Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia dive into one of the biggest questions for many North American soccer fans' this spring: Can I actually go to the World Cup? We start with memories of the care-free days of 1994, when the last World Cup held in the U.S. The arts editor for KUT News, Stephanie Federico, takes us down sorta-memory lane. Then we get the perspective a current college student hoping somehow to get to see Mexico play in Mexico this summer. And then we turn to an expert, Jason Daley, who has put his knowledge gained from going to the last five tournaments into one spot for you, The World Cup Guide.

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