Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed

Jersey number: No. 17
Hometown: Dundalk, Ireland
Position: Forward
Age: 25
Former club: Atlanta United FC
Background
📽️ Jon Gallagher netted a vital goal for The Dons before half time last night and after the game the on-loan @ATLUTD player spoke to RedTV.#StandFreepic.twitter.com/JjsVdbgRUY
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) December 5, 2019
Though he was born in Dundalk, Ireland, Austin FC forward Jon Gallagher has lived in six different countries, including Jamaica, Singapore, Scotland, America, England and Ireland.
Gallagher got his professional start for Atlanta United, where he played from 2018-20. After being chosen as the No. 14 pick in the MLS SuperDraft, Gallagher played for USL side Atlanta United in 2019, where he led the team with six goals and five assists.
Gallagher then moved up in the ranks later that season and was on the roster as Atlanta won the 2018 MLS Cup. In 2020, Gallagher was the leading scorer for the team after scoring four goals with the club in 16 appearances.
Gallagher took a detour in 2019 when he went on loan to Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen FC, where he made one goal and three assists in his 31 appearances with the team before coming back to Atlanta in 2020.
Before his professional debut, Gallagher played for the fittingly named "Fighting Irish," earning two All-ACC selections after scoring 39 goals and 15 assists in his 84 appearances with Notre Dame.
With Austin FC
(Austin FC/Twitter)
Gallagher went Verde after a $175,000 trade in general allocation money from Atlanta in December.
Just as he's traveled across the map, Gallagher has found himself at nearly every position on the soccer pitch. His versatility will come in handy as he fights for a starting position with the team, and he's shown promise so far.
"I think I've played every single position apart from goalkeeper," Gallagher said. "At times I'm a victim of my own versatility, but I feel most comfortable when I'm in front of goal."
For now, Gallagher's been playing in the nine slot for each of the La Copita scrimmages, though he was practicing at wing during preseason.
Gallagher will likely be battling it out with Danny Hoesen, who hasn't secured his spot as easily as many expected. Either way, he's likely to be one of the most useful players off the bench.
Gallagher said that he'll stay competitive no matter where his spot in the lineup is so that he can make himself and the team better.
"If there's a guy ahead of me, I'm going to be breathing down his neck and making sure I get the best out of him," Gallagher said. "Because one, it's going to push me, and two, it's going to push him as well. So the coaches are going to get a better culture, and I think most of the guys have done that in their respective positions."
Off the pitch
.@MattBesler wanted to introduce you, the fans, to some of the guys. First up, @JonGallagher96. Disclaimer: he chose his own mic for this.#AustinFC | @FairmontATXpic.twitter.com/CAAsooGI9Y
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) April 3, 2021
It can be tough finding an identity after making a home in so many different places. While Gallagher still identifies as Irish, he also told teammate Matt Besler that he feels like a bit of a world nomad as well.
"I'd like to stay true to my roots, but I've got a little flavor of everything in me," Gallagher said.
With Austin as his latest residence, Gallagher said the city has exceeded his expectations so far, perhaps to his own detriment.
"I didn't really know what to expect, but the food's the most phenomenal thing," Gallagher said. "I probably spent way too much money the first month just on going out, but we're settling in nicely so far."
By "we," Gallagher means he and his now-fiance, Payton Gregory. Gallagher got on one knee the day after Christmas in 2020.
Now that he's here, however, he knows a lot about the state. Gallagher knew the state tree of Texas, the word "Austinites," and the state's nickname, "The Lone Star State" when quizzed by Besler. The Notre Dame alum had clearly hit the books and even knew the year Austin was founded—1839—much to Besler's surprise.
Popular
Austin FC kept rival FC Dallas to a draw Saturday night as it pulled off a 2-2 comeback. (Austin FC/Twitter)
Despite a 2-0 deficit, there was a pot of gold for Austin FC after all as it celebrated its annual Pride Night with rainbows and a 2-2 comeback draw to FC Dallas Saturday night.
After three FC Dallas losses last season, the Dallas derby draw marks the first time Austin FC has tied against its Copa Texas rival. Austin continues to edge over FC Dallas as it sits at 3rd in the MLS West.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the match:
A somber start
¡Ya Basta! Enough! End Gun Violence. #uvaldestrong
— Los Verdes (@LosVerdesATX) June 26, 2022
📷 @arubiophotospic.twitter.com/3PiVdTPtik
Decked out in colorful hues for LBGTQ+ Pride, Verde fans started the match on a somber note as they held up banners to take a stand against gun violence before the match.
As the national anthem began, fans held up banners with the names of each child that was killed in the Uvalde school shooting and a plea to "end gun violence."
The supporters' section was also dotted with Pride flags and a "Bans off Our Bodies" banner in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
FC Dallas earns a 2-0 lead
Paul Arriola is there to put it away and put @FCDallas ahead! pic.twitter.com/Z4AMmM6lp3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
That sober tone continued onto the pitch. With midfielder Daniel Pereira's absence due to a red card, the Verde and Black lost two goals to FC Dallas by the 70th minute of play.
FC Dallas played it sneaky for the first half of the match, giving Austin FC plenty of room to hold possession as it waited to strike on a Verde error. That mentality proved dangerous for Austin as Dallas' Paul Arriola took advantage of Brad Stuver's deflection to score the first goal of the night in the 57th minute of play.
Dallas struck once more as Brandon Servant pushed past the Verde line to score the second goal of the match.
#DTID double their lead!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
The substitute Brandon Servania with a fine finish within five minutes of coming on. 💥 pic.twitter.com/IZm0YsPxG5
Austin FC strikes back
Sebastián Driussi pulls one back!#AustinFC are still in this one. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Yoi0x768jb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
But energy quickly returned to Austin's favor thanks to Designated Player Sebastian Driussi, who scooted past several FC Dallas defenders alongside Moussa Djitte to snag an unlikely first goal for Austin.
A full Verde comeback
Late drama in this Texas Derby!@AustinFC ties it up, Danny Hoesen with the diving header. 😱 pic.twitter.com/Jk2f4fIEXG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
Austin's subs proved deadly as momentum returned to the home team toward the end of the match. A well-placed cross from Nick Lima—and a diving header from a fresh-legged Danny Hoesen—helped the team secure the draw with a second Verde goal in the 84th minute of play.
Hoesen, who was Austin's first starting striker last season, has now scored two goals with the team after a yearlong injury stuck him on the bench.
- First-ever match at Q2 Stadium as the USWNT takes on Nigeria ... ›
- Shop queer at these 7 LGBTQ-owned businesses all Pride Month long ›
- Austin FC sees 'Fright Night' in 2-1 FC Dallas loss as 'Best in Texas ... ›
(Bob Daemmrich)
Hours following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that guaranteed a constitutional right to an abortion, on Friday, about 1,000 people gathered in Republic Square with signs calling for change.
The rally, organized by the group Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights Texas, started at the federal courthouse on Republic Square on Friday at 5 p.m. before the crowd marched to the Texas Capitol. More protests are expected to ensue over the weekend.
People showed up with all types of signs like Mindy Moffa holding up, "Keep your filthy laws off my silky drawers."
Austin joined cities across the country that saw protests for a women's right to an abortion after the ruling.
According to a recent UT poll, 78% of Texas voters support abortion access in most cases.
Sabrina Talghade and Sofia Pellegrini held up signs directed at Texas laws. A Texas trigger law will ban all abortions from the moment of fertilization, starting 30 days after the ruling. When state legislators passed the trigger law last summer, it also passed laws for more protection of firearms, including the right to open carry without a permit.
Lili Enthal of Austin yells as around 1,000 Texans marched to the Texas Capitol.
From the Texas Capitol, Zoe Webb lets her voice be heard against the Supreme Court ruling.
- Most restrictive abortion law in U.S. affects Texas women - austonia ›
- U.S. Supreme Court rules there's no right to abortion, setting up ... ›
- Vela plans resolution to prevent police from investigating abortion ... ›
- Texas' growth may be slowed by abortion ban, poll reports - austonia ›
- 78% of Texas voters think abortion should be allowed in some form ... ›