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| Nicknames |
| |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | October 12, 2018; 7 years ago (October 12, 2018)[1] | |||
| Stadium | Q2 Stadium Austin, Texas | |||
| Capacity | 20,738 | |||
| Owner | Two Oak Ventures | |||
| Chairman | Anthony Precourt | |||
| Head coach | Nico Estévez | |||
| League | Major League Soccer | |||
| 2025 | Western Conference: 6th Overall: 15th Playoffs: First round | |||
| Website | austinfc.com | |||
 Current season | ||||
Austin FC is an American professionalsoccer club based inAustin, Texas. The club competes inMajor League Soccer (MLS) as a member of theWestern Conference. Founded in 2018, the club began play in the2021 season. Their home stadium isQ2 Stadium in north Austin. They are the firstmajor professional sports league team to play inTexas' capital, which prior to 2021 was the largest city in the United States without such a team.[2]
Austin FC is the first top-division major professional sports team in the Austin area, a market that had been previously overlooked by the major professional sports leagues. The city's previous experience with professional soccer includes theAustin Aztex, founded in 2008,[3] but later relocated toOrlando in October 2010[4] and eventually became MLS sideOrlando City SC; the 2011 reincarnation of theAustin Aztex,[5] which went on indefinite hiatus following the2015 Memorial Day floods washing out their venue atHouse Park;[6] andAustin Bold, which played in the second-divisionUSL Championship atCircuit of the Americas from 2019 to 2021.[7][8]
In October 2017,Columbus Crew operator Precourt Sports Ventures announced their intention to move the group's MLS franchise rights to Austin for the 2019 MLS season.[9]
After several sessions, the Austin City Council, by a 7–4 vote during a special session on August 15, 2018, granted the City Manager the authority to negotiate and execute a lease for a stadium with Precourt Sports Ventures.[10]
On August 22, 2018, the group unveiled the name and badge for the club at the North Door on Austin's east side.[11][12] The crest was designed by local Austin brand studio The Butler Bros, who explained the badge as including the signature color "Bright Verde" to "project the vibrancy and creative energy of Austin", intertwined oaks that "stand for the bond between Club and City", and the four roots uniting all compass directions of Austin, North, East, South, and West.[13][14]
In October 2018, an Ohio-based group which includesJimmy and Dee Haslam, owners of theNational Football League'sCleveland Browns, and Columbus-based physician and businessman Pete Edwards, announced their intentions to acquire Columbus Crew to keep the team from moving. MLS officials stated that if the transfer of the Crew's operating rights were successful, Austin FC would be an expansion team operated by Precourt to begin play by 2021.[15][16]
On December 19, 2018, Precourt Sports Ventures and the City of Austin reached a financing agreement for a newsoccer-specific stadium to be constructed at McKalla Place, which was projected to open by early 2021.[17] Nine days after finalizing the stadium deal, Precourt Sports Ventures reached an agreement in principle to transfer the operating rights of the Columbus Crew to the Haslam and Edwards families in January 2019.[18]
On January 15, 2019, Austin FC was officially announced as an MLS club with a 2021 start date.[19][20][21] In July 2019, the ownership group was renamed to Two Oak Ventures and later expanded to include local celebrities and businesspeople.[22][23]
Austin FC hiredJosh Wolff as their first head coach in July 2019 and hiredClaudio Reyna as the club's Sporting Director in November of the same year. The two were teammates for theUnited States from 1999-2006.[24]
In July 2020, Austin signed their first player,Rodney Redes.[25]
Before the start of their inaugural season,Alexander Ring was named the first club captain.[26]
Austin FC played their first MLS match againstLAFC atBanc of California Stadium on April 17, 2021, losing 0–2.[27] The club secured its first victory the following week against theColorado Rapids, winning 3–1.[28]Diego Fagúndez scored the club's first goal[29] and the following two were scored by the club's firstDesignated Player,Cecilio Dominguez.[30] Their home opener was held on June 19, 2021, against theSan Jose Earthquakes, a match which ended 0-0.[31] The team secured its first home victory on July 1, 2021, defeating the Portland Timbers 4–1.Jon Gallagher scored the team's first home goal[32] and the first MLS goal at Q2 Stadium.[33]
Austin FC signedSebastián Driussi, on July 29, 2021, fromZenit Saint Petersburg for a $7 million transfer fee.[34] He became the first player to score 10, 20, and 30 career goals for the club at various points in 2022 and was named the club's first All-Star that season.[35] Driussi signed an extension through 2025 with a 2026 option and became the second captain for the club.[36]
On September 9, 2021,Owen Wolff signed ahomegrown player contract withMajor League Soccer side Austin FC, signing a deal through to 2025 and becoming the club's first homegrown player signing.[37]
In 2022, Austin FC started the season with an MLS record 10 goals in their first two matches.[38] They lost 2–1 in their first cup match in the third round of the2022 U.S. Open Cup againstSan Antonio on April 20; Fagundez scored the club's first Open Cup goal.[39] On July 16, they won the Division 1Copa Tejas, the first trophy in franchise history.[40] Austin FC clinched their first playoff berth during a 3-0 home win againstReal Salt Lake whereMoussa Djitte scored the firsthat trick in club history despite entering the game as a substitute.[41] Austin won their first MLS playoff game at home over Real Salt Lake, prevailing 3–1 in a penalty shootout after a 2–2 score following extra time.[42] Austin advanced to the Western Conference Final after defeatingFC Dallas,[43] but lost to LAFC 3-0 the following week.[44]
In August 2022, the club announced they would debut a reserves team inMLS Next Pro in 2023,Austin FC II.[45]
In early January 2023 news came out that Claudio Reyna and his wife had been involved in the release of personal information about theUnited States men's national soccer team coachGregg Berhalter in response to their son's decreased play-time in the2022 FIFA World Cup.[46] As a result, Claudio Reyna resigned as the Sporting Director, but stayed with Austin FC as a Technical Advisor. Josh Wolff was given the responsibilities of running the sporting department, in addition to coaching the team.[47] In April 2023, it was noted that Claudio Reyna was no longer listed as a technical advisor on the Austin FC website.[48] In June 2023 it was announced thatRodolfo Borrell was taking over the role of Sporting Director for Austin FC.Rodolfo Borrell was a former assistant coach toPep Guardiola at English sideManchester City.[49]
Based on their 2022 finish, Austin FC qualified for the2023 CONCACAF Champions League, their first continental competition.[50] They playedViolette AC fromHaiti and lost 3–2 on aggregate. In May 2023, Austin FC ended their2023 U.S. Open Cup run with a 2–0 loss to the Chicago Fire at home.[51] Austin FC also competed in their firstregional competition at the2023 Leagues Cup and lost their first game 3-1 againstMazatlán.[52] They later lost toFC Juárez 3-1, failing to advance to the round of 16.[53]
After failing to qualify for the2023 MLS Cup Playoffs,[54] Austin FC announced some changes to the front office. On October 8, 2023,Rodolfo Borrell announced that both Sean Rubio and Manuel Junco were no longer with Austin FC and Borrell would be overseeing scouting and player personnel, which he started by hiring five new scouts to be located inEurope andSouth America.[55] Borrell also announced thatJosh Wolff would remain on as the Austin FC coach despite the disappointing 2023 results.[56] On October 6, 2024, Austin FC announced that Josh Wolff had been released from his head coach position after the team failed to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.[57]
In preparation for the 2025 season, Austin FC announced the hiring ofNico Estévez as the new head coach. Estévez joined the team after the November 2024 FIFA window.[58] In Estévez's first season, Austin advanced to the2025 U.S. Open Cup final, the first tournament final in club history.[59] The club hosted the final atQ2 Stadium and lost 1–2 toNashville SC; Austin's lone goal was scored by Uzuni at the close of the first half.[60]
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Austin FC are the operators of a newly built stadium at McKalla Place. The stadium is nearThe Domain, a large shopping center complex. The stadium, built on public land and owned by the City ofAustin, was privately financed by Two Oak Ventures. The lease was signed on December 19, 2018. The stadium seats 20,738 fielded its first Austin FC game on June 19, 2021.[61][62]
The club announced plans for a $45 million, privately funded training facility, the St. David's Performance Center, on November 13, 2019. The performance center, located in the Parmer Pond development in northeast Austin, will have four full-size soccer fields, one with a 1,000 capacity seating section, in addition to a 30,000 square foot indoor facility.[63]
In 2022, theCapital Metropolitan Transportation Authority started construction on a commuter rail station for theRed Line,McKalla station.[64] It is expected to open on February 24, 2024, as part ofProject Connect.[65]McKalla station opened and began service on February 24, 2024, for Austin FC's first match of the 2024 season.[66]
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Austin FC has severalsupporters' groups, Austin Anthem,[67] Los Verdes, the La Murga de Austin band,[68] Fighting Leslies DC,[69] and a group fromNew Braunfels, Oak Army New Braunfels.[70]
The club colors are bright green (stylized by the club as "verde," theSpanish word for the color) and black.[71] The team's color scheme has been frequently highlighted in team promotions and atQ2 Stadium, with green lights flashing after each Austin goal.[72]
Austin FC have sold out all 54 home games since their debut at Q2, which is currently the longest active streak in MLS.[73]
Austin FC added an armadillo jocktag to the team's uniform in February 2024, after striking a deal withEddie Wilson, the keeper of theArmadillo World Headquarters cultural flame. Austin FC President Andy Loughnane said it was important to pay homage to Austin's "creative and vibrant spirit". The relaunch of the Armadillo was celebrated at the Austin FC jersey launch party, withAsleep at the Wheel frontman,Ray Benson.[74]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Sleeve sponsor | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2024 | Adidas | Yeti | Netspend | [75][76][77] |
| 2025–present | Siete Foods | [78] |
For the 2021 and 2022 seasons,Nexstar Media Group served as the team's broadcast partner. The majority of games appeared onKNVA, with select matches also appearing onKXAN andKBVO.Adrian Healey served as the play-by-play announcer, whileMichael Lahoud joined in as a color analyst.[79] In April 2021, Austin FC reached a deal withUnivision as its Spanish broadcast partner.KAKW andKTFO broadcast each regionally televised match in Spanish.[80] From 2023, every Austin FC match is available viaMLS Season Pass on theApple TV app.[81]
English-language radio rights are held byAlt 97.5 FM, with Lincoln Rose on the call.[82]KLQB serves as Austin FC's flagship Spanish radio station.[83]
Austin FC is owned by Two Oak Ventures, formerly known as Precourt Sports Ventures, which is led by CEOAnthony Precourt.[22] Other investing partners in Two Oak Ventures include actorMatthew McConaughey, local entrepreneur Eduardo Margain, formerDell executive Marius Haas, energy entrepreneurBryan Sheffield, and real estate businessman David Kahn.[23][84]
In 2022, Austin FC launched theirreserve team,Austin FC II, which began play in 2023 as part ofMLS Next Pro's Western Conference.[45] They currently play at Parmer Field at the St. David's Performance Center. The current coach is Brett Uttley.[85]
On May 17, 2023,David Rodríguez became the first Austin FC II player to sign a short-term contract with the first team.[86] Two months later,Valentin Noël became the first Austin FC II player to appear in a first team match, coming on in the 90th minute of aLeagues Cup match.[87]
Austin FC announced the first professional soccer academy in Austin, TX would begin play in August 2019 as part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program at the U–14 level. The Austin FC Academy was the first fully funded academy in central Texas.[88]Tyson Wahl took on the academy's general manager role and helped assemble the first U–14 team.[89] Junro Narita was named as the initial coach of the U–14 team.[88] In January 2020, Austin FC announced that they had hired Juan Delgado as their Academy Technical Director.[90] In the fall of 2020, Austin FC Academy became part ofMLS Next.[91]
In April 2022, Austin FC Academy had their first player called up for a U.S. Youth National Team as Ervin Torres was called up to theUnited States U-15 BNT.[92]
In August 2022, Austin FC Academy sent coaches and players to theNetherlands to participate in training sessions withPSV Eindhoven as part of the PSV Partnership.[93]
On January 23, 2023,Austin FC II announced the signing of Anthony De Anda, the first Austin FC Academy player to sign a professional contract.[94] Two months later, Austin FC II announced the signing of five academy players on amateur agreements, allowing them to compete with the team.[95]
On January 10, 2024, Austin FC announced they had signed Burton as ahomegrown player on a four-year contract, with an optional additional year. Burton is the first Academy product to sign a professional contract with the first team.[96]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
| Executive | |
|---|---|
| Majority owner & CEO |  Anthony Precourt |
| Sporting director |  Rodolfo Borrell[98] |
| Director of Domestic Scouting and Recruitment | Aguilar Azón[99] |
| Director of Player Personnel | John Turner[99] |
| Technical Advisor | Nolan Sheldon[100] |
| Coaching Staff | |
| Head coach | Nico Estévez[58] |
| Assistant coach | Davy Arnaud |
| Assistant coach | Alberto González[101] |
| Assistant coach | Nico Bosch[102] |
| Goalkeeper coach | Francisco Galán[101] |
| Field analyst coach | Albert Ballesteros[101] |
Source:Technical staff
| Coach | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Josh Wolff | July 23, 2019[103] – October 6, 2024[104] |
| Davy Arnaud (interim) | October 6, 2024[105] – November 20, 2024[58] |
| Nico Estévez | November 20, 2024[58] – present |
Major
Minor
| Season | League | Position | Playoffs | USOC | Continental | Average attendance[a] | Top goalscorer(s)[b] | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Conf. | Overall | CCL | LC | Name(s) | Goals | ||||
| 2021 | 34 | 9 | 21 | 4 | 35 | 56 | –21 | 31 | 0.91 | 12th | 24th | DNQ | NH | - | - | 20,738 |  Cecilio Dominguez Diego Fagundez | 7 |
| 2022 | 34 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 65 | 49 | +16 | 56 | 1.65 | 2nd | 4th | SF | R3 | DNQ | NH | 20,738 |  Sebastián Driussi | 25 |
| 2023 | 34 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 49 | 55 | –6 | 39 | 1.15 | 12th | 25th | DNQ | R16 | R16 | GS | 20,738 | Sebastián Driussi | 13 |
| 2024 | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 39 | 48 | –9 | 42 | 1.24 | 10th | 18th | DNQ | DNP[c] | DNQ | R32 | 20,738 |  Jáder ObrianSebastián Driussi | 8 |
| 2025 | 34 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 37 | 45 | –8 | 47 | 1.28 | 6th | 15th | R1 | RU | DNQ | DNQ[d] | 20,738 | Brandon Vázquez Myrto Uzuni | 9 |
| Total | 169 | 59 | 74 | 38 | 224 | 249 | –25 | 215 | 1.27 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Sebastián Driussi | 51 |
Media related toAustin FC at Wikimedia Commons
