Austin delivered a world-class experience, but frustrations remain over Messi's absence and how the league handled it

Major League Soccer awarded $15,000 to four Austin community leaders as part of its All-Star Hometown Heroes program.

Amid a tense time in the stands at MLS matches, commissioner Don Garber defended the league’s ban on political signage at matches and events.

Austin also spent $500,000 in GAM to acquire defender Nick Lima from San Jose. Similar to Ring, Lima is a consistent, experienced and effective MLS starter at either outside back position.

While owners could vote to adopt the global calendar at Wednesday's meeting -- a move that many consider a fait accompli -- there isn’t the same sense of urgency to vote this week as there was at April’s meeting in Chicago.