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]
Austin started the month of December, by announcing they had exercised Hector Jiménez option for the 2024 season.[9] On December 11, 2023, Austin FC traded Nick Lima to the New England Revolution for $300,000 in GAM.[10] On December 14, Austin traded up for the first pick in the 2023 MLS Re-Entry Draft[11] and subsequently picked Jáder Obrian, who had previously played for FC Dallas.[12] On December 19, 2023, Austin FC chose Nate Jones from University of Washington with the 5th overall pick,[13] and subsequently traded him for $250,000 GAM and the 31st pick. Austin FC then picked Bryant Farkarlun from UT Rio Grande Valley with that pick.[14] Austin FC signed Stefan Cleveland on December 24, 2023 as a free agent, bringing the roster up to four goalkeepers.[15] On January 9, 2024, Austin FC announced they had traded Jhohan Romaña to the Argentine team San Lorenzo de Almagro[16] for $750,000.[17] The same day the team announced they had signed defender Guilherme Biro as a free agent. Biro spent the previous season with Brazilian team Mirassol.[18] On January 10, Austin FC announced the signing of their second homegrown player, Micah Burton. Burton was signed to Austin FC II for the 2023 MLS Next Pro season and has multiple appearances with the United States men's national under-17 soccer team.[19] The team reported for pre-season on January 13, 2024, and announced that Sebastián Driussi had obtained his green card and no longer would occupy an international spot on the roster.[20] On January 29, 2024, Austin FC announced they has signed Damian Las to new contract through the 2026 season, with an optional additional year. Austin FC also announced that Las would be loaned to Louisville City FC for the 2024 season.[21]
First match(es) will be played: February 21, 2024. Source: MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
First match(es) will be played: February 21, 2024. Source: MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)