FC Austin Elite
Nickname(s)The Elite
Founded2015
Dissolved2022
StadiumRound Rock Multipurpose Complex
Round Rock, Texas
ChairmanDanny Woodfill
LeagueUnited Women's Soccer

FC Austin Elite is an American women's soccer team, founded in 2015.[1] The team folded in 2022 after United Women's Soccer placed sanctions on the team based on allegations of misconduct.[2]

History

After their founding in 2015, FC Austin Elite played in the Women's Premier Soccer League in 2016 & 2017. The team became a member of the United Women's Soccer in 2018.[3]

Workplace Misconduct Allegations

Christiane Lessa was hired as the FC Austin Elite head coach by Danny Woodfill in April 2022, and led the team to a 1st place ranking in the Southwest Conference and 5th place ranking nationally. On July 29th, 2022, it was announced that Danny Woodfill had fired Coach Lessa for "failure to meet objectives, failure to build a program, and creating a negative environment”. [4] On June 30, 2022 FC Austin Elite players posted a statement on social media condoning the firing of Coach Lessa and the workplace misconduct of Danny Woodfill.[5] On July 1, 2022 the players filed an official complaint with United Women's Soccer.[6] On July 11, 2022, United Women's Soccer announced sanctions against Danny Woodfill.[2] Because of the sanctions FC Austin Elite were unable to participate in the 2022 play-offs.[6]

Year-by-year

Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs
2016 2 WPSL 4th, Southwest DNQ
2017 2 WPSL 7th, Southwest DNQ
2018 4 UWS 3rd, Southwest DNQ
2019 4 UWS 2nd, Southwest DNQ
2020 4 UWS COVID-19[7]
2021 4 UWS 5th, Southwest Conference Semi-Finals
2022 4 UWS 1st, Southwest Removed[2]

References

  1. ^ "FC Austin Elite Brings Women's Soccer to Austin". www.VioletCrown.com. Violet Crown Soccer. May 12, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "UWS Implements Sanctions Against FC Austin Elite Following Grievance Review". www.UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. July 11, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "United Women's Soccer Welcomes FC Austin Elite". www.UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. May 3, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  4. ^ Gawronski, Danielle (July 5, 2022). "Taking a Stand: FC Austin Elite Players Allege Misconduct and Empty Promises". www.ProtagonistSoccer.com. Protagonist Soccer. Retrieved August 8, 2023. "failure to meet objectives, failure to build a program, and creating a negative environment."
  5. ^ Lloyd-Hughes, Theadore (July 3, 2022). "UWS launches investigation into FC Austin Elite, allegations against Danny Woodfill". www.TheStriker.com. The Striker. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Lloyd-Hughes, Theadore (July 14, 2022). "'We've had enough': What led to FC Austin Elite players speaking out". www.TheStriker.com. The Striker. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "UWS Provides Update on 2020 Season". www.UWSSoccer.com. United Women's Soccer. Jun 9, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2023.

External links

Sports teams based in Texas
Austin, Texas
Round Rock, Texas
Categories