stefan posch started for Austria against Argentina in Dallas wearing a protective black brace around his face and chin. The 29-year-old defender was dealing with a jaw injury from Austria's World Cup-opening 3-1 win, but he still lined up against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Los Angeles brace fitting
Posch had to go to Los Angeles twice to get fitted for the brace before Austria's World Cup clash with Argentina. That made the brace part of the match itself, not just a sideline precaution.
Ralf Rangnick would not say in advance whether Posch would start. Austria needed him available against Argentina, and the final decision left little room for caution once the team took the field.
Jordan collision aftermath
The injury started during Austria's opening win over Jordan, when Posch collided with a player from Jordan and hurt his jaw. The brace covered the area around his face and chin, the only way he could play in the match.
That left Austria with a defender in a protective cover against one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the World Cup. Posch's presence gave Austria a tested back-line option even after the jaw problem changed his preparation.
Posch's match status
At 29, Posch plays club football for Mainz in the German Bundesliga, and the Dallas match put him in a different kind of spotlight. The brace made his availability the story before kickoff, and his start turned the question into a straightforward answer on the field.
How long he will need the brace is the open issue left by the match. For Austria, the immediate answer was simpler: Posch was in the lineup, and he played through the injury against Argentina.
