1 month out: What fans new and old can expect for Austin FC's second season

What to know

For those not already onboard the Verde train, Austin FC had its first match ever on April 17, 2021, with its first home match taking place at the brand-new Q2 Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd in June. The 20,500 capacity North Austin venue has since hosted 17 home matches, all of them sold out and even held matches for the U.S. men's and women's national teams.

First-time fans can expect the sound of fan band La Murga de Austin echoing over a roaring crowd across the stadium each match. Those craving excitement can head to the supporters' section on the Southside of the stadium, where La Murga and fan clubs Los Verdes and Austin Anthem lead chants and songs all match long. Calmer fans can still find plenty to cheer for in other sections of Q2, including occasional appearances from part-owner Matthew McConaughey and other famous Austinites and local eats and beers located around the stadium.

In its first year, Austin FC captivated soccer fans across the States with its unabashed support, and the club broke the MLS record for the most jerseys sold in a single day in late 2020.

But the club's first season came with struggles—with just nine wins under its belt, Austin FC struggled to find results that matched its supporters' expectations and finished second to last in the West. Check out Austonia's analysis of the first season here.

Fast forward to January, and the club has made tweaks in its roster, including signing big-name players, as it gears up for its home opener against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Projected starting lineup

Expect new and old to mix—on and off the pitch—for Austin FC. Just a few players who first took to the pitch for the club's first ever match remain, including Captain Alex Ring and surprise star goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

Unlike last season, Austin FC may have too much of a good thing in its striker position. With 22-year-old powerhouse Moussa Djitte signing on in the summer and the recent signing of MLS vet Maxi Urruti, it's a guessing game on who will take on the role as the club's top goalscorer. Danny Hoesen, who was pegged as Austin's top striker last season before suffering a season-long injury, will have to earn his spot back if he's to start once more. We peg Urruti, who has now played for all three Texan MLS clubs, as the starting striker for Day 1.

Those supporting the striker include forwards Diego Fagundez and Cecilio Dominguez, both of whom tied as the club's top goalscorer with seven goals each last season. Fagundez will likely compete with recent signee Ethan Finlay at right wing, but the fan favorite shouldn't lose too much playing time; he'll likely sub in for star Sebastian Driussi at attacking midfielder when needed as well.

Ring and newcomer Jhojan Valencia will likely be the yin and yang of Austin's midfield. Sporting Director Claudio Reyna said the team acquired Valencia to play more defensively so that players like Ring can take a more offensive approach, and both will be key to directing each Austin FC match.

The roster gets thinnest on defense, though Austin recently billed a big name in Norwegian center back Ruben Gabrielsen, who has experience in both Norway and France's top leagues. Gabrielsen could find a strong sub in Kipp Keller, a recent college athlete who was the No. 1 defender available in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. Last year's starters Jhohan Romana and Julio Cascante will likely vie for the final center back spot, while Zan Kolmanic and Nick Lima should keep their spots at left and right back.

The club took a gamble with Gabrielsen and may find itself short for talent once again if a crop of injuries show up once again in preseason. But with a fuller, well-picked lineup and lessons learned from last season, Head Coach Josh Wolff's sometimes-unpopular style of play will have an extra shot at redemption for his second year as head coach.

Dates to know

While Austin's first match won't take place until Feb. 26, a four-game preseason schedule begins at practice complex St. David's Performance Center on Wednesday, Feb. 9. All but one match will be closed to the public, but season ticket holders will be in for a treat with automatic tickets to an international friendly match against Liga MX champions Atlas FC at Q2 Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Learn more about that here.

The club's first official match will take place against FC Cincinnati, who finished in last place In the MLS East in 2021, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. Other notable matches include rivalry games against Texas teams Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas, with the first home match against FC Dallas on Saturday, June 25 and the first home Houston Dynamo match on Tuesday, July 12.

Austin FC will also take on new MLS club Charlotte FC for the first time in an away match on Wednesday, June 29 before finishing its 29-match regular season at home against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, October 9.

Most matches will take place on Sundays and Saturday evenings, with five other matches taking place on weekdays. If the club advances to playoffs, it'll wrap up in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar from Nov 21-Dec 18, 2022.

Check out the full 2022 schedule here.

Where and how to watch

The best thing about Austin FC may not always be what's on the pitch, which is why the club's energetic home matches are in such high demand week after week. Fans can join the thousands-strong waitlist for season tickets here or purchase any regular season single-match ticket now here. Ticket prices tend to range from around $30 to over $100. Click here for everything you need to know before attending a match.

Those wanting to watch away matches can join the hundreds of Los Verdes and Austin Anthem fans that travel to support their team. Fans looking for a simpler answer can also head to watch parties and Austin FC Pub Clubs around the city to catch a match. Supporters' group HQs Hopsquad Brewing and Circle Brewing bring in-stadium excitement to every match, home or away, just steps from Q2 Stadium, while Austin FC itself hosts official watch parties each week.

For a quieter fan experience, fans can tune into each match on regional channels KXAN, CW Austin, MyNetwork, Univision, ALT 97.5 FM and TUDN Radio Austin. Eight matches will also be nationally broadcast. Austonia will provide coverage of every game as well.