Austin FC II
Austin FC II is a professional soccer club based in Austin, Texas, serving as the reserve team and developmental affiliate for Austin FC of Major League Soccer (MLS).[1] The team competes in MLS Next Pro, the third division of the United States soccer league system and the official reserve league operated by MLS, which provides a pathway for young players transitioning from youth academies to the professional level.[1] Founded in 2022, Austin FC II plays its home matches at Parmer Field at St. David's Performance Center and operates with its own coaching and support staff while training alongside the Austin FC first team and academy at the same facility.[1][2] Announced on December 13, 2022, Austin FC II entered MLS Next Pro as one of 27 teams in the league's second season, with its roster comprising MLS-contracted first-team players, homegrown signings, and academy prospects on amateur contracts.[3] The club quickly established itself as a competitive force, capturing the MLS Next Pro Cup in its inaugural 2023 campaign by defeating Columbus Crew 2 3-1 in the final, a feat highlighted by the team's historic achievement of winning four consecutive away playoff matches—the first such streak in MLS or MLS Next Pro history.[4] In 2024, Austin FC II added to its accolades by winning the MLS Next Pro Invitational tournament with a victory over Cancún FC. The team's matches are streamed via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, emphasizing its role in player development and fan engagement within the Austin soccer community.[1] Entering its third MLS Next Pro season in 2025, which consisted of 28 regular-season matches (14 home and 14 away), Austin FC II concluded the campaign on October 5 with a 2-1 road victory over The Town FC, powered by a goal and assist from Jorge Alastuey.[5][6] While the team finished outside the playoff positions in the Western Conference standings, its program continues to focus on nurturing talent for potential promotion to the Austin FC senior squad, aligning with MLS's emphasis on integrated player pathways.[7]History
Formation and Establishment
On August 4, 2022, Austin FC and Major League Soccer formally announced that the club would launch a reserve team in MLS NEXT Pro, the league's professional development circuit, beginning with the 2023 season.[8] This move positioned the new affiliate as one of eight MLS clubs expanding the league to 29 teams, enhancing opportunities for young talent within the MLS ecosystem.[8] The team was officially founded on December 13, 2022, under the ownership of Austin FC, with majority owner Anthony Precourt overseeing both the parent club and its reserve affiliate.[1][9] As a fully integrated component of Austin FC's soccer operations, Austin FC II was established to serve as a key player development pathway, bridging the gap between the club's MLS NEXT academy prospects and the first-team roster in Major League Soccer.[1] The team competes in MLS NEXT Pro, a Division III sanctioned professional league that provides competitive matches and training aligned with MLS standards. On the same day as its founding announcement, Austin FC appointed Brett Uttley as the inaugural head coach, drawing on his experience as an assistant with Inter Miami CF to lead the reserve squad's technical and support staff.[10] This setup ensures seamless integration within Austin FC's broader development structure, fostering talent progression across youth, reserve, and professional levels under unified ownership and vision.[1]2023 Season
Austin FC II entered the MLS Next Pro as an expansion team in the Western Conference's Frontier Division for the 2023 season, marking the club's inaugural campaign in professional competition.[11] The team played its home matches at Parmer Field at St. David's in Austin, Texas, with the home debut occurring on March 24 against Houston Dynamo 2, resulting in a 2-1 victory. Throughout the season, Austin FC II integrated several players from the Austin FC academy, providing development opportunities for young talents while building a competitive roster under head coach Brett Uttley.[12] The regular season saw Austin FC II finish with a record of 12 wins, 7 draws, and 9 losses across 28 matches, accumulating 49 points through a combination of regulation results and penalty shootout outcomes under the league's points system.[13] They scored 40 goals while conceding just 23, achieving a +17 goal differential and securing third place in the Frontier Division and fourth in the Western Conference. The defense proved particularly stout, recording a league-record 12 clean sheets and allowing the fewest goals in MLS Next Pro, with goalkeeper Damian Las playing a pivotal role in limiting opponents to only 23 tallies across the campaign.[4] As the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, Austin FC II advanced by defeating St. Louis CITY2 2-1 in the conference quarterfinals on October 8. They followed with a 1-0 victory over Tacoma Defiance in the semifinals on October 14, thanks to a late goal from Valentin Noël. In the conference final against Colorado Rapids 2 on October 15, the match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes, but Austin FC II prevailed 4-1 in the penalty shootout to reach the MLS Next Pro Cup.[14] Culminating the playoff run, Austin FC II captured the championship on October 22 by coming from behind to defeat Columbus Crew 2 3-1 at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, with goals from Noël, C.J. Fodrey, and Jorge Alastuey; Noël was named the MLS Next Pro Cup Most Valuable Player.[15]2024–2025 Seasons
Following their championship success in the 2023 season, Austin FC II encountered post-championship challenges in 2024, finishing the regular season with 7 wins, 11 draws, and 10 losses while scoring 44 goals and conceding 49. This record positioned the team 5th in the Frontier Division and 12th overall in the Western Conference, insufficient for playoff qualification.[16] In cup competition, Austin FC II participated in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup but exited in the first round after a 2-2 draw with Foro SC, losing 3-4 in the ensuing penalty shootout following extra time. The team found success in preseason play, however, capturing the 2024 MLS Next Pro Invitational with a victory over Cancún F.C.[17] The 2025 season showed marginal improvement, with Austin FC II recording 10 wins, 8 draws, and 10 losses, alongside 35 goals scored and 36 conceded. They again placed 5th in the Frontier Division and 9th in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. No qualification for the U.S. Open Cup occurred in 2025. Across both seasons, the team transitioned from the defensive solidity that defined their inaugural year to a more balanced approach marred by inconsistency, exacerbated by significant roster turnover and reliance on loans from the Austin FC first team.[18]Club Facilities and Identity
Stadium
Austin FC II's primary venue is Parmer Field at St. David’s Performance Center, located at 710 Performance Drive in Austin, Texas.[2] The stadium has a capacity of 1,000 seated spectators and features an artificial turf playing surface.[19][20] Parmer Field is part of the $45 million St. David’s Performance Center, a 23-acre training complex that opened in 2021 and serves as the training home for Austin FC, Austin FC II, and the Austin FC Academy.[21][22] The facility includes three full-sized natural grass pitches, one half-sized natural grass pitch, a 30,000-square-foot performance building with locker rooms, weight rooms, sports medicine areas, and technical staff offices—all shared among the first team, reserve side, and academy players.[21][23] Parmer Field hosts all of Austin FC II's MLS Next Pro home matches, daily training sessions, and select academy events, with the team's inaugural home game taking place there on March 24, 2023, against Houston Dynamo 2.[24][3] Situated in the North Austin suburb within the Parmer Innovation Center, the venue is optimized for professional soccer development, providing controlled environments for skill-building and recovery.[22]Sponsorship
Austin FC II's kits are supplied by Adidas, which serves as the official kit manufacturer for the organization since the team's inaugural 2023 season in MLS Next Pro.[25] The primary shirt sponsor is YETI, an Austin-based brand specializing in premium coolers and outdoor products, with its logo prominently featured on the front of the jersey across all kits. This partnership, established as part of Austin FC's founding agreements, extends to the reserve team and was renewed through a multi-year extension announced in February 2025.[26][27] The sleeve sponsor for Austin FC II's jerseys was Netspend, a financial services provider based in Austin, from the 2023 season through 2024, with the company's logo appearing on the right sleeve. In January 2025, Austin-based Mexican-American food brand Siete Foods replaced Netspend as the official jersey sleeve partner, continuing the local focus for on-field and retail jerseys.[28][29] The team's overall branding aligns closely with its parent club Austin FC, incorporating the signature verde green and black color scheme, along with crest and design elements introduced alongside the 2023 kits such as the "Las Voces Kit." For the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the primary kit is "The Heartbeat Kit," maintaining the established color scheme.[30][31] These commercial partnerships play a key role in supporting Austin FC II's operations, including player development programs within the Austin FC academy system and community outreach initiatives that promote soccer access in the Austin area.[25]Players and Staff
Current Roster
As of November 2025, Austin FC II's roster comprises 28 players across various positions, blending experienced professionals with emerging talents from the Austin FC academy. The squad features approximately 18 players with U.S. nationality (including dual citizens), alongside players from about 8 other countries. Contract structures include 17 full-time MLS Next Pro professionals, 9 academy players on amateur agreements, and 2 loanees from the Austin FC first team, such as midfielder Micah Burton and forward Jimmy Farkarlun. Notable homegrown contributors include academy graduates like forward Chris Avila and defender Chuy Moreno, who represent the club's youth development pipeline.[32][33] The roster is organized below by position, including jersey number, name, age, and nationality (dual nationalities noted where applicable).Goalkeepers
| # | Name | Age | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcus Alstrup | 21 | Denmark / USA |
| 20 | Aaron Cervantes | 23 | USA |
| 12 | Charlie Farrar | 22 | England |
| 30 | Nicolás Aristizábal | 17 | Puerto Rico / USA |
| 40 | Cooper Roney | 18 | USA |
Defenders
| # | Name | Age | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Chuy Moreno | 18 | USA |
| 34 | Daniel Cieśla | 20 | Poland / USA |
| - | Mason Miller | 18 | USA / Philippines |
| 4 | Antonio Gomez | 23 | USA |
| 41 | Jules Bery | 21 | France |
| 7 | Batuhan Arıcı | 22 | Türkiye / USA |
| 3 | Rubén Bonachera | 21 | Spain |
Midfielders
| # | Name | Age | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Jackson Stephens | 18 | USA |
| 11 | Patrick Gryczewski | 22 | USA / Poland |
| 27 | Mo Badawiya | 17 | USA |
| 37 | Damion Perez | 19 | USA |
| 10 | Jorge Alastuey | 22 | Spain |
| 14 | Djakaría Barro | 23 | Côte d'Ivoire |
| 21 | Marcel Ruszel | 21 | USA / Poland |
| 6 | Adrián González | 22 | Mexico / USA |
| 77 | Diego Abarca | 20 | USA / Chile |
| 8 | Ervin Torres | 17 | USA / Mexico |
| 32 | Micah Burton | 19 | USA / Cambodia |
Forwards
| # | Name | Age | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Jimmy Farkarlun | 24 | Liberia |
| - | David Santos | 18 | USA |
| 9 | Peter Grogan | 20 | Ireland |
| 17 | Vlad Dănciuțiu | 19 | Romania / USA |
| 31 | Chris Avila | 18 | USA |
Staff
Austin FC II is owned by Austin FC, with Anthony Precourt serving as the majority owner and chief executive officer of the parent club since its founding in 2019.[9] Rodolfo Borrell has been the sporting director for Austin FC since July 1, 2023, overseeing recruitment, player development, and soccer operations across the club's structure, including Austin FC II. With over 28 years of experience, Borrell previously served as a youth coach at FC Barcelona's La Masia academy, where he helped develop talents such as Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué; as academy technical director and second-team head coach at Liverpool FC; and in various roles at Manchester City FC, including first-team assistant coach under Pep Guardiola, contributing to multiple Premier League titles and the 2023 treble. His expertise in elite youth development and high-level coaching informs Austin FC II's focus on integrating academy prospects into professional pathways.[34] Brett Uttley was appointed as the inaugural head coach of Austin FC II in December 2022. Prior to this role, Uttley gained experience in the USL Championship as first assistant coach for Rio Grande Valley FC for three seasons and as an academy coach with Seattle Sounders FC starting in 2016, later joining Inter Miami CF's development staff in 2020, where he advanced to assistant coach by mid-2022. His background also includes collegiate coaching at Quinnipiac University, holding UEFA A and Elite Youth A licenses, and a playing career in collegiate soccer at Quinnipiac and the University of Rhode Island, followed by professional stints in Sweden and USL League Two.[10] Uttley is supported by assistant coach Omar Jarun, who joined in September 2025, and goalkeeping coach Peter Davis, appointed in early September 2025 ahead of the season's final matches. Jarun brings prior USL experience as an assistant coach with Huntsville City FC in MLS NEXT Pro and Atlanta United 2 in the USL Championship, along with academy coaching at Atlanta United and head coaching duties at Peachtree City MOBA in USL League Two; he also served as an assistant at the University of North Georgia and Clayton State University. Davis, with extensive goalkeeping expertise, previously coached at Oakland Roots SC from 2022 to 2024, where he developed USL Championship All-League honoree Paul Blanchette, and at New Mexico United as goalkeeping director; his earlier roles include positions at the University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and various academies in Florida.[35][36] Additional support staff for Austin FC II, including team operations manager Jack Buckley, equipment manager Josiah Spivey, and athletic trainer Scott Bohrer, operate in integration with Austin FC's broader fitness, medical, and scouting teams to ensure cohesive development resources.[37]Statistics and Records
Season-by-Season
Austin FC II has competed in MLS Next Pro since its inaugural season in 2023, with the regular season consisting of 28 matches per team, though additional games can occur through playoffs or other competitions. The following table summarizes the club's performance in league play and playoffs for each season.[38]| Year | League Position | Played | Wins-Losses-Draws | Goals For:Against | Points | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4th (Western Conference) | 28 | 12-7-9 | 46:23 | 43 | Western Conference champions; MLS Next Pro Cup winners[39] |
| 2024 | 8th (Western Conference) | 28 | 7-11-10 | 44:49 | 32 | Did not qualify |
| 2025 | 9th (Western Conference) | 28 | 10-10-8 | 35:36 | 40 | Did not qualify[40] |
Head Coaches' Records
Brett Uttley has served as the sole head coach of Austin FC II since the club's founding in December 2022. Over the course of 88 matches through the end of the 2025 season, Uttley has recorded 33 wins, 28 draws, and 27 losses, yielding a win percentage of 37.50%. This tenure encompasses all three seasons of the team's existence in MLS Next Pro, including regular-season contests and limited postseason appearances.[10][42] Uttley's record breaks down to 29 wins, 28 draws, and 27 losses in 84 regular-season games, reflecting a focus on competitive balance amid a youth-oriented roster, while the 4 playoff matches under his guidance resulted in 4 wins and 0 losses, highlighted by the 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup triumph. These splits illustrate Uttley's ability to leverage familiar surroundings for defensive solidity, though away challenges have occasionally exposed transitional vulnerabilities.[43][44] Tactically, Uttley emphasized youth development and defensive organization during the 2023 inaugural campaign, prioritizing clean sheets and structured build-up play to integrate academy prospects into professional environments, which contributed to one of the league's stingiest defenses that year. In subsequent seasons, his approach evolved toward more attacking patterns, incorporating fluid pressing and wide overloads to foster offensive creativity, particularly in 2024 and 2025 as the squad matured. This shift aligned with MLS Next Pro's developmental ethos, balancing player growth with competitive results.[45] Key milestones in Uttley's tenure include securing the team's first-ever victory in its MLS Next Pro debut on March 24, 2023, a 2-1 home win against Houston Dynamo 2 that set a positive tone for the season. Additionally, his management of the 2023 championship run demonstrated composure in high-stakes scenarios, guiding Austin FC II through four consecutive away playoff victories to claim the MLS Next Pro Cup against Columbus Crew 2. These achievements underscore Uttley's role in establishing a foundation for sustained progress.[46]| Category | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 88 | 33 | 28 | 27 | 37.50% |
| Regular Season | 84 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 34.52% |
| Playoffs | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |