Austin FC

Austin FC became Major League Soccer's 27th franchise when it kicked off in 2021, bringing top-flight professional soccer to a Texas capital city long known for its tech industry, university culture, and fierce independent streak. Majority owner Anthony Precourt - whose earlier attempt to relocate the Columbus Crew to Austin sparked one of the most consequential fan revolts in MLS history - ultimately built a brand-new club from scratch, and the city embraced it with the fervor of a town that had been starved of major-league sports.

Q2 Stadium, the club's purpose-built 20,738-seat home in North Austin, was designed to be a cauldron. With a supporters' section that houses Los Verdes and other fan groups, the stadium's steep stands and proximity to the pitch create an atmosphere that belies the club's youth. The verde-and-black color scheme has become ubiquitous around the city, and Austin FC quickly established itself as one of the hottest tickets in town - no small feat in a market saturated with entertainment options.

On the pitch, Austin FC endured the typical growing pains of an expansion side before breaking through with a strong 2022 campaign that saw the club earn a home playoff match. The recruitment of designated players and a commitment to building through a South American pipeline have given the squad an attacking identity that fits the city's energetic personality. Austin FC is still writing its early chapters, but the foundation - passionate ownership, a soccer-specific stadium, and a community that treats match day like a citywide event - suggests the club's best days are ahead of it.