Austin FC Weekly Newsletter: Transfer Rumors, a Horrible Injury, and US Open Cup Semi-Finals
Another action-packed week of Austin FC, filled with rumors, an Open Cup match to remember, and an injury many would like to forget has come to an end. Here is everything you need to know from the past week:
Game Postponement
Austin FC’s home leg in MLS play against LAFC was postponed to a later date due to catastrophic flooding in the Central Texas area. The devastating floods caused by unforeseen amounts of rain took the lives of over 120 people, with many more still missing. All three Texas MLS clubs posted a joint statement on their social channels announcing that they would be contributing $500,000 to “support life-sustaining humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.”
Here are some links to various organizations to donate to support the communities that were impacted: cbsnews.com/where-to-donate-help-central-texas-flood-recovery/
US Open Cup Match Review
Austin FC snuck by the San Jose Earthquakes after a drama-filled match that went to extra time and eventually, penalties. San Jose struck first with a Chicho Arango banger in the 12th minute. Austin FC had a terrible first half, looking sluggish, unmotivated, and lacking energy. The ball was given right back to the Quakes after winning it back nearly every time in the first half, and if not for some luck, Austin FC could have headed into the break down multiple goals. The second half was much improved; Brandon Vázquez scored a penalty, won by himself, in the 65th minute to bring the game level. Some subs around the 70-minute mark brought energy, but no goals, and the match went to extra time. San Jose scored 9 minutes into the first period of extra time, with a Benji Kikanović strike through a crowd of Austin defenders after an insane Stuver save, followed by utter chaos in the box, with the ball eventually falling to Kikanović, who neatly slotted it home. With just 7 minutes remaining in the tie, Owen Wolff won a penalty at the top of the box after being brought down by Mark-Anthony Kaye. With Vázquez out of the game due to injury, Albanian DP Myrto Uzuni stepped up and confidently struck the ball past the outstretched hands of San Jose goalkeeper Daniel. The match headed to penalty kicks, where Brad Stuver further cemented himself as an Austin FC legend by saving San Jose’s first and third penalties while Rubio, Uzuni, Taylor, and Wolff scored theirs.
With the win, Austin FC has progressed to the US Open Cup semi-finals, where they will face Minnesota United away from home in mid-September. This is as close as the Verde and Black have ever been to silverware, but they will have to take down a tough Minnesota United side before facing what will likely be a very problematic Eastern Conference side in the final at Q2 Stadium should they advance further.
Brandon Vázquez Suffers ACL Tear
Brandon Vázquez was carried off the field on a stretcher in Austin FC’s US Open Cup win after a non-contact injury just after the 70th minute. He was writhing in pain as the medical team examined him, and it was immediately clear that this was going to be a long-term injury.
On Thursday morning, Austin FC announced that Brandon Vázquez had suffered an ACL tear, requiring season-ending surgery. Austin FC has placed the all-star striker on the season-ending injury list, essentially freeing a Designated Player spot for the remainder of the 2025 season. Nico Estévez stated in Thursday’s media availability that the club will look at all the options and not rule out an attacking addition during the window. There is the possibility that Austin could loan in an attacking player on a DP deal for the rest of the season to fill the hole left by Vázquez, but aside from short-term relief, there would be no permanent benefit to a move of the sort. The injury also frees up Myrto Uzuni to play as the lone striker, something he has rarely been able to do since joining, and it may prove to be just what is needed if he can rediscover the knack for goalscoring he had at his previous club, Granada.
Obrian Transfer Rumors
Various reports on Twitter/X suggest that Austin FC may be looking to offload Jáder Obrian either in the summer or following the 2025 season. The Columbian has struggled to make an impact this season as new signings Myrto Uzuni and Robert Taylor have forced him into a role on the bench and occasionally dropped altogether. With 2 clubs in Columbia interested (Deportivo Independiente Medellín & Atlético Nacional), a move is imminent, and if it were in the summer window, it would greatly benefit the roster flexibility as he is occupying both senior and international roster designations.
Palacios Loan Rumors
Originally brought up in last week's article, Austin FC is looking to bring in former LAFC left-back Diego Palacios, and negotiations for the player have had some progress. Further info has been leaked, including a $3 million mandatory purchase option if he starts more than 50% of games, along with Corinthians, his current team, agreeing to pay $55,000 of his wage, with the other, unknown chunk being paid by Austin FC. It was also leaked that coach Nico Estévez played a substantial role in the potential move.
Depending on the total wage that Austin will have to pay, this could be a solid move, and despite relegating Biro to a bench role, it may alleviate some strain at the center-back position, with Biro able to slot in where needed. This will give Rodo some flexibility both in this window and in the winter window, depending on if the purchase option is triggered. It is unclear if he obtained a Green Card while with LAFC, so he may or may not take up an international spot on the roster.
Austin FC II Update
On Friday night, Austin FC II took down LAFC 2 at Parmer Field in what ended up being a high-scoring match. FCito won with an emphatic 4-1 scoreline, with goals scored by CJ Fodrey, Peter Grogan, Ervin Torres, and Micah Burton. Austin FC lost the possession game and had fewer shots and shots on target, but in the end, took their chances while LAFC 2 could not. The win has put them 6th in the Western Conference, with games in hand on every team ahead of them. The FCito squad will be back at Parmer Field to face Western Conference leaders, St. Louis City SC II, on Friday night at 7:30pm.
Austin FC II announced the mutual termination of Anthony De Anda’s contract on Monday night. The 20-year-old made 40 appearances in MLS Next Pro for the second team across 3 seasons.
On Tuesday, the club announced had signed academy prospect Mo Badawiya to a professional contract through the 2027 season with options for 2028 and 2029. The 17-year-old was previously playing with the second team on an amateur agreement, making 7 appearances, including 2 starts.
Saturday’s Match
Austin FC will be looking to continue their momentum coming out of a historic result in the US Open Cup, and the struggling New England Revolution should be the right team at the right time. With over 2 months until the Open Cup semi-finals, all focus now needs to be on breaking into and solidifying a spot in the top 6 of the Western Conference — not a terribly difficult ask, considering the relatively weak opponents the Verde and Black will be facing in the lead up to the Minnesota game. Starting with New England at home, Austin will face just one team that is above the playoff line at the moment, and this side just so happens to be the San Jose Earthquakes at home. As we are finally getting to the business end of the season, the Verde and Black have the perfect opportunity to get a run of form going which will see them into the playoffs, and get them ready for their semi-final, starting with the New England Revolution at home this Saturday. This is a must-win.
The New England Revolution sit 11th in the Eastern Conference and have not been much of a challenge to opposing teams in recent weeks, picking up zero wins in the 5 matches throughout the month of June. Leonardo Campana, New England’s winter-window addition, will be looking to finally get his Revolution career off the ground after a measly 2 goals in 13 appearances thus far. The Ecuadorian has scored at Q2 Stadium before, in Austin FC’s 5-1 thrashing of Inter Miami in 2022, and will look to replicate that feat this Saturday. Caleb Porter’s side are 4 points off the playoffs in the East with 24 points from 20 matches. Similar to Austin FC, the Revs have been solid at the back, conceding just 25 goals, but unlike the Verde and Black, have had far less trouble on the attacking end, mostly thanks to DP Carles Gil’s 12-goal contributions so far. This Revolution side is dangerous, but the momentum and home atmosphere should be enough for Austin FC to grab all 3 points.
This Matchup will be just the second ever, with the previous coming in September 2023, where the sides played to an eventual 2-2 draw at Gillette Stadium. Club legend Emiliano Rigoni opened the scoring, but Austin conceded just minutes later and again 2 minutes into the second half before Alex Ring scored a stoppage-time equalizer. Hopefully, Saturday’s match will bring the same excitement, with a few more points for the Verde and Black than in 2023.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. CT, and the match can be streamed on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.