All statistics correct as of 15:23, October 7, 2024 (UTC).
The 2024 Austin FC II season was the club's second season in MLS Next Pro, the third tier of soccer in the United States. They played in the league's Western Conference. They are the defending MLS Next Pro Cup Champions, after they beat Columbus Crew II 3–1 in the Cup final.[1]
Background
Austin FC started playing in the MLS Western Conference in 2021. In August 2022 it was announced that they would launch a MLS Next Pro team for the 2023 season.[2] On December 13, Austin FC announced that Brett Uttley will be the first coach for Austin FC II.[3] Austin FC II first season was the 2023 season, where they finished the season 2nd in the Western Conference and went on to win the 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup.[1]
Season
Preseason
After Austin FC announced that they had signed Micah Burton to a contract as a homegrown player,[4] Austin FC II announced the first moves of the season signing goalkeeper Marcus Alstrup as a free agent and winger Christopher Garcia on loan from El Paso Locomotive.[5] On January 19, Austin FC II announced the signing of Ervin Torres, a product of the Austin FC Academy. Torres also has four appearances with the U.S. Men's Youth National Under-16 Team.[6] On January 31, Austin FC II announced two more free agent signings. Bringing in Anthony García a 20-year-old winger who spent last season with the Santos Laguna Under-23 squad and Aaron Cervantes a U.S. youth international who spent last season with LA Galaxy II.[7] On February 20, 2024, Austin FC II announced the signing of both winger Bryant "Jimmy" Farkarlun and defender Antonio Gomez. Farkarlun was signed to a three-year contract with an option for two additional years, and Gomez signed a two-year contract with an option for two additional years.[8] On February 27, Austin FC II announced the re-signing of Ugandan midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga on loan from Czech side MFK Vyškov and the acquisition of Spanish defender Rubén Bonachera from Polish side Wisła Kraków II.[9] On March 1, 2024, U.S. Soccer announced changes to the 2024 U.S. Open Cup. These changes allowed MLS affiliated MLS Next Pro teams to participate in the Open Cup. Austin FC II was given a spot in the first round of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup.[10] On March 8, Austin FC II announced they had transferred their 2023 leading scorer, Valentin Noël to the Las Vegas Lights for an undisclosed amount.[11] On March 14, prior to the first game of the season, Austin FC II announced roster moves to prepare for the season. Both Micah Burton and CJ Fodrey were signed on loan from Austin FC and six players signed amateur agreements with the team, including defender Drake Fournier, defender Mason Miller, forward Joah Reyna, goalkeeper Spencer Sanderson, winger Luka Spadafora, and defender Gavin Wolff.[12]
March/April
Austin FC II started the season with a 1–3 loss to Tacoma Defiance, with the lone goal coming from Bryan Arelleno 83 minutes into the match.[13] In their first road game of the season, Austin FC II picked up their first win, beating Houston Dynamo 2 1–0 on a goal in the 80th minute by CJ Fodrey.[14] On April 20, Austin travelled to The Town FC, earning a draw in a 0–0 game, but dropping a point in the shootout, losing 2–4.[15] Austin FC II closed out the month of April, with a 2–2 against Ventura County FC, and again failed to earn the second point falling 4–5 in the shootout.[16]
U.S. Open Cup
In their first ever U.S. Open Cup, Austin FC II fell in a penalty kick shootout to the amateur side Foro SC. After finishing 120 minutes in a 2–2 draw off goals by Salvatore Mazzaferro and Sébastien Pineau, Austin fell 3–4 in the penalty shootout.[17]
May/June
To start the month of May Austin FC II traveled to Denver, CO to take on Colorado Rapids 2, earning a 2–1 win on goals from Bobosi Byaruhanga and Ervin Torres.[18] On May 12, Austin FC II fell 2–1 to St. Louis City 2 on a goal during stoppage time.[19] Austin FC II hosted Sporting Kansas City II on May 17, earning two paints after a 2–2 draw, but winning the shootout 5–4.[20] On 24 May 2024, Austin fell to LAFC 2 2–1 on an extra time goal. Austin's lone goal was scored by Jimmy Farkarlun, his second of the season.[21] The day after the first team suffered their worse loss of the season, FCito followed suit with their worse loss of the season, falling 4–0 to the Real Monarchs.[22] Continuing to struggle on the road, Austin FC II earned a 1–1 draw against Colorado Rapids 2 and lost the shootout 5–3.[23] After the international break, Austin FC II captured two points against Portland Timbers 2 drawing 0–0 during regulation, but winning the shootout 5–4.[24] Austin FC II earned another draw against North Texas SC in their highest scoring game of the yar, but dropped a point in the shootout.[25] Austin FC II closed out June by earning another draw against Sporting KC II, dropping a point in the shootout falling 5–3.[26]
July/August
Austin FC II started the month of July, by earning a 2–0 win against Real Salt Lake on goals from CJ Fodrey and Alonso Ramírez.[27] Playing on th road in Shell Energy Stadium, Austin FC II dropped three points losing 2–0.[28] After going out to a two-goal led on goals by Jimmy Farkarlun and Bobosi Byaruhanga, Austin let Minnesota come back and draw the game 2–2 in the 90th minute, but only were able to earn one point after falling 2–3 in the shootout.[29] On July 27, 2024, Austin FC II played in the MLS Next Pro invitation against Cancún F.C. the 2023–24 Liga de Expansión MX Champions. Austin earne a 2–1 win against the Mexican 2nd division champions on goals from Micah Burton and Alonso Ramirez.[30] After their first international match, Austin FC II earned two points, against one of the top teams in the Western Division, North Texas SC, winning the shootout 5–4.[31] In their next match, Micah Burton's brace helped Austin FC II earn one point in a draw with Portland Timbers 2, though they dropped a point in the shootout 8–7.[32] To close out the MLS mid-season transfer portal, Austin FC II signed Irish forward Peter Grogan from Bray Wanderers.[33] Austin FC II continued their mid-season success, earning three points against Sporting Kansas City II on goals from CJ Fodrey and Ervin Torres.[34] Austin FC II closed out the month of August with another win, beating Minnesota United FC 2 by a score of 2–1 on goals by CJ Fodrey and Salvatore Mazzaferro. Austin head into the month of September one place out of the MLSNP playoffs.[35]
September/October
Austin started the last month of their season with an away trip to St. Louis City FC 2. Austin had a strong performance, taking the lead twice in the game, but fell 3–2 after giving away two penalties.[36] The following week Austin went to Minnesota, but fell a goal short, losing 2–3. Anthony Garcia scored his first goal of the season and Diego Abarca netting his second of the season.[37] Austin returned home ot face their in state rivals Houston, earning a 3–1 victory to bring them one place out of a playoff position. Micah Burton netted a brace and Alonso Ramirez scored he third on a penalty.[38] Facing North Texas SC with playoff hopes on the line, Austin fell 2–1 at Choctaw Stadium after Bobosi Byaruhanga tied the game in the 83rd minute.[39] Austin gave Vancouver a hard fought match, earning two points, winning the shootout 5–4 after the game concluded 1–1.[40] Austin's season concluded on the last day of the regular season when the fell to The Town FC is 3–4.[41]
