Leo Vaisanen - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Ends year on sidelines Vaisanen ends the season with nine starts in 13 appearances with Austin.

Impact Vaisanen struggled with injuries and consistency, resulting in just 13 appearances while ending the campaign on the sidelines. He only tallied 38 clearances with 15 tackles and 10 blocks with nine starts. The defender will look to improve from an off season, especially that he is guaranteed until 2026.

NOVEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Back in training Vaisanen (foot) was spotted in training Thursday, but his availability for Saturday's game against the Dynamo is uncertain, manager Josh Wolff told media.

Impact Vaisanen has been dealing with plantar fasciitis since late February and has been limited to just one appearance -- and 36 minutes of action -- this season. Saturday's game against Houston might be too soon for him to return, and if he's out, then his next chance to play will come against the Galaxy on April 27.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Vaisanen (foot) is out for Saturday's trip to Seattle, according to the MLS injury report.

Impact Vaisanen picked up the injury during the opener against Minnesota, and is now set for a spell on the sideline. It's not clear exactly how long Vaisanen will be out, but it should be Julio Cascante who gets more chances in the starting XI with Vaisanen on the sideline.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Exits injured Vaisanen was subbed off due to injury in the 36th minute of Saturday's 2-1 loss to Minnesota United.

Impact Vaisanen's first match ends early after coming off injured. He was replaced by Julio Cascante, who could see a start if the defender misses next match. He made 20 starts in 21 appearances in 2023, totaling a goal and an assist with 70 clearances, 23 blocks and 23 interceptions.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Finishes season strong Vaisanen will end the campaign having starting 20 of the 21 matches played with Austin FC.

Impact Vaisanen got his first goal and assist in the MLS during his first season with Austin. He also averaged about 3.3 clearances per game with 70 on the year. The defender is set to remain the team's starting center back for the next few years after signing a four-year deal in January,

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First MLS goal Vaisanen scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Sunday's 4-2 defeat against Los Angeles Football Club.

Impact Vaisanen opened his MLS account in his 20th appearance for Austin, finding the back of the net during what was a one-sided loss. The central defender isn't a consistent goal threat by any means and doesn't offer goal scoring upside that is worth chasing. Still Vaisanen has done well in the closing stages of the regular season, starting seven matches in a row.

OCTOBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Option off bench Vaisanen (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's clash with Dallas.

Impact Vaisanen returned to first team training earlier in the week and is now an option off the bench. The defender has made 12 starts when fit and could return to the starting XI for a Wednesday clash with Seattle.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Training with team Vaisanen (knee) is back in training with Austin ahead of Sunday's match against St. Louis, Adam Ribbeck of Capital City Soccer reports.

Impact Vaisanen suffered a torn LCL in late May and the recovery time was expected to be around three months, so he's fitting that timeline. However, his return to training doesn't indicate he's ready to play a match, as he still needs to build fitness back, especially given the long stoppage Austin have gone through following their early exit in the Leagues Cup.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

No surgery needed Vaisanen is expected to miss three months with a torn LCL he suffered in late May, Austin manager Josh Wolff told reporters on Friday, but he will not have to undergo an operation...

Impact Vaisanen was a regular starter in Austin's defense prior to his knee injury in the U.S. Open Cup a few weeks ago, but his recovery timeline has just been extended likely through the summer. Julio Cascante, Alexander Ring, Aleksandar Radovanovic (shoulder) and Nick Lima seem to be the primary center-back options in Vaisanen's absence.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out two months with knee injury Vaisanen (knee) is expected to miss two months after tearing his LCL in the U.S. Open Cup, Phil West of The Striker reported Friday.

Impact Vaisanen has started 12 of his side's 13 league games this season since joining Austin from Sweden in January, but he'll now be sidelined through the Leagues Cup this summer as he recovers from a knee injury he suffered in the U.S. Open Cup defeat against Chicago this week. Aleksandar Radovanovic and Kipp Keller are his most natural replacements alongside Julio Cascante and Alexander Ring in Austin's back-three, but Nick Lima could be an option to slide over from full-back as well.

MAY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves cup match with injury Vaisanen picked up an undisclosed injury and was forced to sub out during Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Chicago Fire during the U.S Open Cup.

Impact Vaisanen had started in eight straight starts in the league, recording 27 clearances in that span. If the defender is not fit to play Saturday, then Nick Lima could move into the center defense with Zan Kolmanic out for the season with a torn ACL. This also means that Emiliano Rigoni could be an option to start at the wing with Jon Gallagher and Ethan Finlay the expected outside midfielders.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes two shots in shutout win Vaisanen made a clearance, an interception and took two shots in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Toronto FC.

Impact Vaisanen and Austin kept their first league clean sheet in more than a month on Saturday, as he shut out Toronto alongside Alexander Ring and Julio Cascante in the back-three. Vaisanen has started 12 of 13 matches thus far during his rookie season in MLS.

MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Keeps clean sheet in draw Vaisanen made five clearances and created two chances in Saturday's 0-0 draw against the Whitecaps.

Impact Vaisanen kept his second clean sheet of the season on Saturday and he's created four chances from six starts in central defense, but Austin is winless in its last four games in MLS.

APRIL 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reporting for national team Vaisanen has been called up by the Finnish National Team for upcoming European Championship qualifiers on March 23 and 26.

Impact Vaisanen has plugged straight into Austin's starting lineup following his January transfer from Sweden, but he will miss Saturday's MLS clash against the Rapids while on international duty. Amro Tarek or Kipp Keller is likely to replace him alongside Alexander Ring in central defense for the game.

MARCH 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records assist in MLS debut Vaisanen made four clearances, two blocks and assisted a goal in Saturday's 3-2 defeat against St. Louis City SC.

Impact Vaisanen set up Sebastian Driussi's lovely chipped goal just before halftime on Saturday, but he will be disappointed in a defensive performance that allowed the expansion side from St. Louis to score three goals -- though center-back replacement Kipp Keller didn't cover himself in any glory after subbing in for an injured Julio Cascante (knee).

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Transfers to Austin Vaisanen has signed a four-year contract with the option to extend for an additional season with Austin FC after transferring from Swedish side IF Elfsborg, the club announced Wedn...

Impact Vaisanen tallied three goals and three assists across 75 appearances in central defense in the Swedish Allsvenskan during his two calendar years with Elfsborg. The 25-year-old is now moving to MLS, where he could slot straight into Austin's starting lineup alongside Julio Cascante after Ruben Gabrielsen's departure from the club.

JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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