Austin FC, MLS' Fastest-Rising Club, Gets Their Own adidas Samba
Los Verdes get some love from the Three Stripes ahead of the MLS Playoffs.
When Austin FC co-owner Matthew McConaughey spoke to Hypebeast about his grand plans for the club back in 2020, he didn’t hold back. “It is now, baby!” the Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actor bellowed joyously when asked if Austin was a soccer town. McConaughey’s exclamation was a clairvoyant one — in the last two years, Austin has risen from expansion club to MLS powerhouse, qualifying for the league’s playoffs in their second season of existence, selling out every home match they’ve played and rostering this year’s likely MLS MVP, midfielder Sebastian Driussi.
However, you haven’t really arrived until you’ve got your own sneakers. And now, Austin FC does: they’ve teamed up with adidas for a special take on the ultra-popular Samba. Dressed in the Oaks’ signature black and green color scheme, the Austin FC x adidas Samba offers a bright and bold look that’s rounded off with a custom tongue badge and classic details like a gum sole and a gold foil midfoot stamp. Austin FC is also the only MLS club to participate in adidas’ newest batch of club-specific sneakers: the other teams are longstanding European powerhouses who will be announced at a later date. “Having Austin FC be the only club in North America to work with adidas on this custom Samba collection is pretty cool,” said Austin FC midfielder Dani Pereira. “The club is always dropping dope merch collabs and this one gives our fans a new way to rep the team during the playoffs.”
The shoe was premiered in the heart of Austin, with award-winning chef Yoshi Okai of Otoko “serving” pairs to his guests alongside their omakase orders, but if you’re looking to secure a pair for yourself you can do now via Verde Van (if you’re in Austin) or the MLS and adidas webstores. Expect to put down $100 USD for a pair.
For more from the world of footwear, be sure to check out Sole Mates, a weekly series that spotlights notable individuals in street culture and their favorite sneakers.