Austin FC: Rise of Texas’ Premier Soccer Club
Austin FC is an American professional soccer club based in Austin, Texas. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference.
Founded in 2018, the team began play in the 2021 MLS season, becoming the first major-league professional sports team to play in the capital city of Texas.
History
Origin & Establishment
The idea for Austin FC arose when the then-operator of the MLS franchise for Columbus Crew announced intentions to relocate to Austin. In August 2018, Austin City Council approved a lease for a new soccer stadium at McKalla Place.
On August 22, 2018, the club unveiled its name and badge. The crest features “Bright Verde” (a vibrant green) to reflect Austin’s creative energy, along with intertwining oaks that “stand for the bond between club and city”.
By January 15, 2019, Austin FC was officially announced as MLS’s 27th franchise, with a plan to begin play in 2021.
The Inaugural Seasons
For their first head coach, Austin FC hired Josh Wolff in July 2019 and appointed Claudio Reyna as Sporting Director in November 2019.
- The club’s first ever MLS match took place on April 17, 2021, versus LAFC (a 0-2 loss).
- Their first win came the following week against Colorado Rapids, by a 3-1 margin; the first goal in club history was scored by Diego Fagúndez.
- Home opener at their stadium (Q2 Stadium) occurred on June 19, 2021 — the venue would later become a key part of their identity.
In 2022 the club had a breakthrough season: they started with a record-setting 10 goals in their first two games. They clinched their first major trophy, winning the intrastate rivalry competition Copa Tejas. They earned their first MLS Playoff berth and progressed to the Western Conference Final before falling to LAFC.
In 2024, after failing to qualify for the playoffs two years in a row, the club made a coaching change, releasing Josh Wolff and later hiring Nico Estévez as head coach ahead of the 2025 season.
Recent Developments
Under Estévez’s leadership, Austin FC advanced to the final of the 2025 US Open Cup — the club’s first-ever tournament final — though they fell short of winning the trophy.
Stadium & Facilities
Austin FC play their home matches at Q2 Stadium, located in north Austin. The stadium seats about 20,738 fans. The club also announced plans for a privately funded training facility (St. David’s Performance Center) featuring multiple full-size fields and indoor space.
The stadium is part of a larger development in the McKalla Place area, with a commuter rail station (McKalla Station) opened in February 2024 to better serve fans.
Club Culture & Supporters
Austin FC’s team colors are Bright Verde (green) and black, a modern and distinctive look intended to reflect Austin’s lively, creative character.
Supporters’ groups are active and passionate; among them are:
- Austin Anthem
- Los Verdes
- La Murga de Austin (a supporters’ band)
- Fighting Leslies DC
- Oak Army New Braunfels
The club boasts an impressive attendance record, having sold out all 54 home games since their debut at Q2 Stadium (as of the referenced time) — the longest active home sell-out streak in MLS.
In 2024 the club also introduced an armadillo jocktag on their uniform — a nod to Austin’s cultural icon the Armadillo World Headquarters — as part of their identity-building in the community.
Ownership, Affiliates & Academy
Ownership
The club is owned by Two Oak Ventures (formerly Precourt Sports Ventures), led by CEO Anthony Precourt. Investors include actor Matthew McConaughey, entrepreneur Eduardo Margain, former Dell executive Marius Haas, among others.
Affiliates & Academy
- The club launched a reserve team, Austin FC II, which began play in MLS Next Pro in 2023.
- Austin’s youth academy was established in 2019 and was the first fully funded academy in Central Texas.
- The academy has seen players called up to U.S. youth national teams and partnerships with international clubs (e.g., training with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands).
Performance & Honours
Season Highlights
- 2021: Inaugural season; finished 24th overall.
- 2022: Breakout year – club finished 4th overall and reached the Western Conference Final.
- 2023 & 2024: Declines in results, missed playoffs.
- 2025: Improved form, advanced far in the US Open Cup.
Honours
- Copa Tejas (Division 1) – Champions in 2022 and 2023.
- U.S. Open Cup – Runners-up in 2025.
Why Austin FC Matters
- Breaking new ground: Austin FC is the first major‐league sports franchise in Austin — making history for the city.
- Community integration: From the badge design to the armadillo identity and sold-out stadium, the club has quickly embedded itself in the local culture.
- Rapid growth: In only a few years, they’ve built infrastructure (stadium, training facility, academy), established a strong fan base, and achieved competitive milestones.
- Future potential: With a new coach and refreshed strategy, the club is poised for the next phase of its evolution — aiming to turn potential into sustained success.
Looking Ahead
As Austin FC continues to build its identity both on and off the field, key areas to watch include:
- Performance in major tournaments and MLS seasons
- Development of homegrown talent through their academy and reserve team
- Expansion of fan experience and community engagement
- Stadium and infrastructure growth as the club cements itself in Austin and beyond
If you’re a soccer fan looking for an exciting, up-and-coming franchise rooted in a vibrant city, Austin FC offers a story worth following.
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