A False Nine Exclusive Interview: Owen Wolff's Dad

by Charles Peacock

While visiting Coachella this week for two of Austin FC’s pre-season games I was delighted to make the acquaintance of the pre-eminent Soccer dad for Austin FC: Owen Wolff’s Dad. It was mentioned on this week’s Moontower Episode that he declined an interview with them and he was too kind, or maybe “Minnesota Nice” has already infected him, to tell them that he had already done an interview with us.

For those of you who are back this pre-season but didn’t watch last season, Owen Wolff has come into his own from an academy player to sometimes spark off the bench, to full blown leading the team in goal contributions in his year 20 season (he turned 21 this past December).

Charles Peacock (CP): Before I ask about Owen could you talk a little bit about what kind of soccer dad you are when watching your son play?

Owen’s Dad (OD): I try to be reserved. It’s supposed to be about the kids and the game going on so even though my emotions are high and I want to scream and wave my arms around I just think of how I’d want my dad to act during a game if I was focusing on it.

CP: How did you balance being supportive without putting too much pressure on him?

OD: Ultimately its about setting realistic goals for him, trying to offer things constructively with suggestions of how to do things better. I always told him that a pass backward can lead to getting forward. His brothers also love the game so he unfortunately had ample opportunity to play around without a set structure.

CP: Sounds like the backyard had good competition, how involved were you in training, travel, and decisions?

OD: As much as I could be realistically. As he got older I was able to be more involved.

CP: What was the most challenging stage of his development?

OD: When we first came to Austin the club didn’t have an academy team at his age group so he kind of trained with the first team some, and sometimes the academy team closest to his age. Ultimately it was good for him, but that’s a challenge as a young player.

CP: After a lifetime of watching Owen play soccer, do you still get a thrill seeing him on the pitch?

OD: Oh, absolutely, ever since he was younger it’s always great to see your children do what they love. I think his best sport may have been golf, but with him always being around soccer it was natural for him to follow in my footsteps.

CP: Oh, did you play soccer too?

I’m not sure why this caused the reaction it did, but it caused Owen’s Dad to stare at me and then turn and walk away.