2026 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 for Austin FC. They lost their first ever U.S. Open Cup match against San Antonio FC in extra time,^[2] won their first derby trophy, the Copa Tejas,^[3] and qualified for their first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs in just their second season as a franchise.^[4] Austin FC advanced to the Western Conference Finals but lost to LAFC.^[5] 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.^[6] 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.^[7] In November 2025, Austin announced Nico Estévez as the second coach for the franchise.^[8] 2025 saw Austin advance to the finals of the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, falling to Nashville SC 2–1 at home,^[9] and one month later qualify for their second every MLS Cup playoffs,^[10] before falling in the first round to Los Angeles FC.^[11]

Prior to the completion of the 2025 MLS playoffs, Austin FC announced they would participate in the 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational, the third year in a row participating in this pre-season tournament.^[12] On November 24, 2025, Austin announced they had signed Ervin Torres to a homegrown contract through the 2028 season with two one-year options. He becomes the third player from the Austin FC Academy to sign a homegrown contract.^[13] One day later, Austin announced their end–of–season roster decisions. The club denied the options for Julio Cascante, Jimmy Farkarlun, and Diego Rubio while exercising the options for Stefan Cleveland, Dani Pereira, and Riley Thomas. Brendan Hines-Ike's option was automatically trigger based on performance statistics from the 2025 season. Austin also signed Ilie Sánchez to a new contract for the 2026 season with a one-year option. With these decisions, Austin is left with two open slots on the senior roster as they build for the 2026 Major League Soccer season.^[14]

On December 10, 2025, Austin traded Stefan Cleveland to Sporting Kansas City for $50,000 in 2026 GAM.^[15] Austin then signed free agent Jon Bell (formerly with Seattle Sounders FC) through June 2028, with an option for the 2028-29 season.^[16] On December 18, Austin traded $700,000 in 2026 GAM, $550,000 in 2027 GAM, and their 2026 MLS SuperDraft first round pick to Vancouver Whitecaps FC for Canadian international Jayden Nelson.^[17] After trading their first round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, Austin selected Stefan Dobrijevic from the University of Akron in the second round and Patrick Cayelli from the University of Pennsylvania in the third round.^[18]

On December 19, Austin announced they had traded Osman Bukari to Widzew Łódź for a reported $6.5 million, which is an Ekstraklasa record transfer fee.^[19] On December 23, Austin announced the signing of Honduran international defender Joseph Rosales in a trade with Minnesota United FC.^[20] On January 23, 2026, Austin announced the signing of their third Designated Player, Uruguayan winger Facundo Torres. Torres signed through June 2030, with a one-year option.^[21] On January 27, Austin announced exercised a contract buy–out for Jáder Obrian. This move opens up both an international slot and senior team slot.^[22]

Austin began the season with a home game against Minnesota United. With two new players in the attack, Austin was able to score two goals in their first match. Hines-Ike got the first goal of the season with a strong header on a corner served up by new attacker Torres. Later in the second half Uzuni knocked in a one on the goal–line after a headed pass by Gallgher. Picking up from the 2025 season Austin relied on Stuver making a couple of great saves to keep the game close, but ultimately gave up the tying goal in the 90th minute after a defensive breakdown.^[23] On February 27, Austin FC acquired Christian Ramirez from MLS waivers, signing him through the 2026 season.^[24] Austin next hosted D.C. United in a match that remained even until the 82nd minute when new signing Ramirez put in a headed goal to take a 1–0 lead, which was all that Austin needed to secure the win.^[25] Austin first away game of the season was against Charlotte FC, where Guilherme Biro earned a red card in the 29th minute. After the red card, Charlotte took control of the match, resulting in a 1–3 loss from Austin.^[26] With Austin suffering from a rash of injuries, they travelled to Real Salt Lake, keeping the game tied until the 88th minute, when they went down 1–2. Jon Bell scored his first goal, heading in a set-piece from Facundo Torres. Minutes later Salt Lake equalized on an own goal by Oleksandr Svatok.^[27] After two consecutive losses on the road, Austin returned home, earning a 0–0 draw against LAFC through staunch defense.^[28] Austin FC visited Inter Miami for the first match in Nu Stadium, earning a 2–2 draw. Guilherme Biro became the first MLS player to score at Nu stadium in the sixth minute, with Jayden Nelson adding the second in the second half.^[29] Austin returned home to face LA Galaxy, falling 1–2. Uzuni scored his second of the season, the only goal of the match for Austin.^[30] Austin travelled to Toronto FC in their next match, achieving their strongest offensive match of the season, drawing 3–3 on goals from Bell, Torres, and Ramirez.^[31] Facing a mid–week game, Austin had to make adjustments due to Uzuni and Nelson nursing injuries. They travelled to San Jose Earthquakes, falling 5–1 in a match that saw Rosales score his first of the season and Stuver tie his single game save record of 11 saves.^[32] In their first Copa Tejas match of the year, Austin faced Houston Dynamo FC at home, earining a 2–0 win on goals from Nelson and Uzuni.^[33]