Expansion teams are supposed to have low expectations at the outset. Austin FC finished their first season with a record of 9-21-4, earning less than one point per game. Diego Fagundez led the team in scoring with just seven goals. What is unique about Major League Soccer is that expansion teams do not often stay subpar for very long. Austin's second year jump was purely incredible, as they won 16 games and finished second in the Western Conference, only behind Supporter's Shield and MLS Cup champions, LAFC. Sebastian Driussi, the 2022 MLS MVP runner-up, had a historic start to the season, scoring three goals and assisting two across the first two matches. In the end, Nashville's Hany Mukhtar narrowly beat Driussi out for the Golden Boot, scoring 23 goals to Driussi's 22. Ultimately, Austin fell at the hands of LAFC in the Western Conference Final, a disappointing result, yet an incredible feat in itself.
Expectations are now high for Austin FC, who have become one of the most relevant teams in the league while entering just its third year. Q2 Stadium's electric atmosphere and Verde glow have cemented Austin as one of the important clubs in the progression of MLS. This off-season, an obvious focus was placed on the back-line. Ruben Gabrielsen, a solidified starting center back, left the club to return back home to Norway to play for Lillestrøm. As a result, the team acquired former New York Red Bulls' defender Amro Tarek from Al Masry as a depth piece. The most important signing of the off-season was Finnish central defender Leo Väisänen, who should slot straight into the starting XI. He signed on for a four-year-deal, transferring from IF Elfsborg. With the recent loss of Moussa Djitte on loan to Ligue 1, Austin should be covered up top with their earlier addition of Gyasi Zardes from the Colorado Rapids. Zardes is a proven goal scorer in this league, with over 100 goals to his name. Austin also added left-back Adam Lundqvist, sold DP Tomas Pochettino to Fortaleza, and lost Felipe to Orlando City SC.
In year three, Austin FC looks to gain a tighter grasp on soccer in the state of Texas. The first two years saw impressive growth, so 2023 will be a crucial one towards continuing the growth for the verde and black. The attack of Fagundez, Rigoni, Zardes, and Driussi has the ability to hit new heights and produce at a high level. The midfield will be held by captain Alexander Ring, alongside Dani Pereira. Brad Stuver will return between the posts, a goalkeeper that has truly broken out in his first starting job. There is no reason why Austin FC cannot return to the top spots of the Western Conference this season.
Projected XI:
GK: Stuver
DEF: Gallagher, Vaisanen, Cascante, Lima
MID: Pereira, Ring, Fagundez, Rigoni, Driussi
FWD: Zardes
Off-Season Grade: B
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