Overview
- The captain made a late cameo in the 84th minute of a 0–4 home defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach, his first Millerntor appearance since April 6.
- Coach Alexander Blessin framed the substitution as largely symbolic, and vice-captain Eric Smith handed Irvine the armband on the pitch.
- Football Australia has scheduled friendlies on November 15 in Houston against Venezuela and on November 19 in New York City against Colombia.
- Reporting indicates Irvine is expected to be selected and, if called up and fit, would travel after the Freiburg match on November 9 and return only three days before the November 23 home game against Union Berlin.
- Hauke Wahl highlighted Irvine’s leadership and energy, and recent experience with Karol Mets suggests international minutes could help Irvine regain rhythm for club duty.