2025 Austin FC season

Austin FC started playing in the MLS Western Conference in 2021, finishing in 12th place with a record of 9W-4D-21L.^[1] 2022 brought many new experiences to Austin FC. They lost their first ever U.S. Open Cup match against San Antonio FC in extra time,^[2] won their first trophy, the Copa Tejas, and qualified for their first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs in just their second season as a franchise.^[3] Austin FC advanced to the Western Conference Finals but lost to LAFC.^[4] Austin FC fell almost all the way to the bottom of the 2023 standings, with the team finishing in 27th place in Major League Soccer. The new sporting director Rodolfo Borrell was quoted as saying "The team overachieved last year, the team underachieved this year", but showed his support for coach Josh Wolff as the team looks to rebuild for the 2024 season.^[5] At the end of the 2024 season, and after back-back seasons without reaching the MLS playoffs, Austin FC release their first ever coach Josh Wolff, having an interim coach for the final game of the season.^[6]

Austin FC started their 2025 roster build the week after their final game of the 2024 season. On October 21, 2024, Austin announced they had extended Jáder Obrian's contract through 2026 with a 1-year club option, after being one of the top goal scorers for the 2024 season.^[7] The next day, Austin FC announced the contract extension of Owen Wolff, the team's first homegrown player, signing him through 2027 with a 1-year club option.^[8] With their third announcement in three days, Austin FC announced the extension of Brendan Hines-Ike through the 2025 season with a 1-year club option.^[9] Austin FC continued agreeing to contract extensions for the fourth straight day, announcing Diego Rubio had been signed through the 2025 season with a 1-year club option.^[10] Closing out a week of updates, Austin FC announced the hiring of Nico Estévez as the new coach, with plans for him to join the team after the November 2024 FIFA window.^[11] On November 5, 2024, Austin FC announced their roster decision headed into the 2025 season. Austin exercised their club option on Daniel Pereira and Jimmy Farkarlun while they did not exercise the option for Matt Hedges, Jhojan Valencia, Alexander Ring, Ethan Finlay, and Matt Bersano. With Hector Jiménez out of contract the team continues to negotiate for his service during the 2025 season.^[12] After exercising their option on Pereira, Austin FC announced they had signed him to a new contract through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. After recently obtaining his Green Card, Pereira will hold a senior spot on the roster, but no longer an international slot.^[13] On December 9, 2024, Austin FC announced they had used their season buyout on Gyasi Zardes, opening up a senior slot and removing his salary from the 2025 budget.^[14] On December 17, 2024, Austin FC announced they would participate in the Coachella Valley Invitational for the second year in a row. This event will take place in February 2025 and Austin will face LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City, and Charlotte FC.^[15] The 2025 MLS SuperDraft was held on December 20, 2024. Austin traded its first round pick and $75,000 GAM to Colorado Rapids for a 2025 International slot. In the second round they selected defender Riley Thomas from North Carolina and in the third round they selected forward Patrick Gryczewski from Rhode Island.^[16] On the last day of 2024, Austin FC announced they had signed Ilie for the 2025 season with an option for the 2026 season.^[17] On January 6, 2025, Austin announced they had acquired Brandon Vázquez from C.F. Monterrey for a team-record transfer fee. Vázquez signed a contract through 2028 with a one year option and will hold a designated player and senior team slot on the roster. In order to move to the top of MLS's waiver order, Austin also had to trade $50,000 of 2025 GAM and $50,000 of 2026 GAM to San Jose Earthquakes.^[18] On January 13, 2025 Austin signed Nicolás Dubersarsky from Instituto. Dubersarsky is signed as part of the MLS U-22 initiative.^[19] On January 17, 2025, Austin FC announced an agreement had been reached to transfer agreement with River Plate for Sebastián Driussi. Austin FC received $10 million and an 8.25% sell on fee for Driussi upon his transfer to River Plate.^[20] On January 21, 2025, Austin FC announced the signing of free agent Besard Šabović to a contract through 2027 with a one-year option.^[21] On January 23, 2025, Austin FC announced they had extended Žan Kolmanič's contract through the 2026 season, with an additional one year option.^[22] On January 24, 2025, Austin FC announced they had signed Albanian forward Myrto Uzuni for a club record $12 million. Uzuni will hold a designated player, senior team, and international roster slot for Austin FC.^[23] On January 31, Austin announced they had loaned Damian Las to Louisville City FC for the 2024 season.^[24] and Guilherme Biro signed a contract extension keeping with the team through the 2027 season, with a one-year option.^[25] To close out the preseason, Austin announced they had extended Damian Las's contract through the 2027 season, with a one year option.^[26]

Austin started the season with a 1–0 win against Sporting Kansas City on a 76th-minute goal from Osman Bukari.^[27] In their first road game of the year, Austin travelled to Portland, falling 1–0 on an 89th minute Timbers' goal.^[28] After outshooting their opponents 21–6 in the third game of the season, Austin FC lost their first home match 0–1 to the Colorado Rapids.^[29] Traveling to Los Angeles for the first time of the season, Austin FC pulled out a hard fought 1–0 win against Los Angeles FC.^[30] Facing San Diego FC for the first time in club history, Austin FC held off the expansion team on a strong match by Owen Wolff. Goals being scored by Brandon Vázquez and Jon Gallagher.^[31] Traveling to St. Louis, Austin FC earned their third win in a row, beating St. Louis City SC 1–0 on the back of Myrto Uzuni first goal of the season.^[32]

Continuing the strong defensive showing that has become the theme of the season, Austin held Portland Timbers scoreless, earning a 0–0 draw at home.^[33] On April 11, Austin announced the signing of Riley Thomas to the first team for the 2025 season, with options for 2026 and 2027. Riley also was signed on loan to Austin FC II, allowing him to continue to play with Austin's MLS Next Pro team.^[34] Austin travelled to the Western Conference leaders, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, falling 1–5 on a 4-goal game by Brian White.^[35] Looking to bounce back, Austin hosted LA Galaxy, holding them scoreless, for their fifth clean sheet of the year and earning the 1–0 win. Austin will be without Brendan Hines-Ike in the next game after he was shown a red card in 90+2 minute of the game.^[36] On April 23, Austin FC announced the signing of Robert Taylor from Inter Miami CF in a trade for $450,000 GAM in 2025, $250,000 GAM in 2026, and a conditional $50,000 in 2027. Taylor is signed through the 2026 season, with a one-year option.^[37] In their first Copa Tejas match, Austin travelled to Houston, falling 0–2, while also losing Dani Pereira to an injury.^[38] Austin returned home following the Copa Tejas match to face Minnesota United FC, falling 0–3 and becoming the worse scoring Western Conference team so far this season, with only seven goals in 11 games.^[39] After their USOC round of 32 win, Austin returned to league play three days later, falling to FC Cincinnati 1–2, with the lone Austin goal coming from a Vázquez PK.^[40] Austin extended their winless streak to five games by drawing with Vancouver at home 0–0.^[41] Austin returned to MLS play after their second USOC win to face Minnesota United, earning a 1–1 draw on the back of Žan Kolmanič's first ever goal for ATX.^[42] Continuing their home streak, Austin earned a record–breaking fourth draw in a row against Real Salt Lake finishing 1–1 on a second half stoppage time goal by Diego Rubio.^[43] Austin closed out the month of May, by matching its longest league winless streak, falling 0–2 to San Diego on the road.^[44]

Austin started the month of June by winning their first league match in six-week, 2–0 against Colorado Rapids, on goals by Mikkel Desler and an own goal as the result of a Hines-Ike header.^[45] Austin continued their best offensive performance of the season, beating New York Red Bulls 2–1 at Q2 Stadium on goals from Vázquez and Biro.^[46] On the road in Seattle, Austin fell 0–2 to the sounders.^[47] On June 30, 2025, Austin announced the signing of Nicky Beloko a midfielder from FC Luzern on a free transfer. Beloko signed with Austin in January 2025 and is signed through the 2028 season, with an option for 2029 season.^[48] In their first match without their leading scorer, Austin was held scoreless at home by New England Revolution, earning a 0–0 draw on a strong performance by Brad Stuver.^[49] In their third game in nine days, Austin earned a win against LA Galaxy, 2–1 on goals from Uzuni and Wolff.^[50] On July 24, announced the signing of Serbian defender Mateja Djordjevic on a transfer from FK TSC. Djordjevic was signed on the U22 initiative through the 2028 season with a one-year option.^[51] Austin next travelled to the D.C., earning a strong 4–2 win over the United on goals from Uzuni, Wolff, Bukari, and Taylor. Taylor's goal was the first for him with Austin.^[52]

Austin dropped two points upon return to play after the Leagues Cup break, drawing with Houston on two late goals by Jack McGlynn. Austin Goals came from Sanchez and Biro in the first half.^[53] In their second Copa Tejas match in a row, Austin failed to gain all three points, drawing against Dallas 1–1. Owen Wolff scoring the lone goal for Austin, on a strong header from a Dessler cross.^[54] Austin travelled to Canada, but failed to earn any points by falling 2–3 to CF Montréal. Goals were scored by Uzuni and Wolff.^[55] Austin closed out the month of August with a crucial 3– win over San Jose, jumping two places in the playoff race.^[56] With three players out on international duty, Austin travelled to Kansas City and earned three points on a 2–1 victory over Sporting KC. Goals were scored by Wolff and Fodrey, his first of his MLS career.^[57] Austin travelled to Dallas for the final Copa Tejas match of the season, but failed to gain any momentum, falling 0–2.^[58] Playing just 4 days after 120 winner in the U.S. Open Cup, Austin took another game to the last minute before earning a 2–1 win against Seattle in the 90+6 minute on a goal by Uzuni, adding to Rubio's first-half goal.^[59] Playing with a heavily rotated starting eleven, as the team prepares for the USOC final, Austin fell on the road in Salt Lake, 1–3. The lone goal of the match was scored in second half stoppage time by Šabović, for his first goal of the season.^[60] With an opportunity to outright secure a playoff position, Austin fell to St. Louis at home 1–3, with the lone goal being scored by Svatak, his first for the club.^[61] The following day, Austin qualified for the playoffs after Vancouver defeated San Jose.^[62] With both teams missing starting players due to the international window, Austin earned another three points at home with a 1–0 win of LAFC on an 83rd-minute goal by Wolff.^[63] Austin closed out the regular season with a 2–1 road loss to San Jose with the lone goal being scored by Wolff.^[64]