Austin FC

Austin FC Signs Norwegian Center Back Ruben Gabrielsen

January 24, 2022 by Shawn Collins

Austin FC has announced the signing of Norwegian international defender Ruben Gabrielsen, who joins Austin FC on a two-year contract with an option for the 2024 season.

Gabrielsen is a center back known for his technical ability, athleticism, and leadership, and he has experience playing in top European competitions for both club and country.

While with Norwegian side Lillestrøm in 2009, Gabrielsen became the club’s youngest-ever player to debut in the Norwegian topflight at 17 years and 25 days.

Gabrielsen moved to Norwegian powerhouse Molde FK in 2014 and helped the team win both the Norwegian league and cup that season.

Under then-Molde manager and former Manchester United great Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Gabrielsen earned the title of Molde club captain in 2017. Gabrielsen remained at Molde until the conclusion of the 2019 season, in which he won the Norwegian league for a second time.

In total, Gabrielsen made 171 appearances across all competitions for Molde, including seven appearances in the UEFA Europa League, and recorded eight goals and eight assists.

Gabrielsen joined French side Toulouse FC in January 2020, making 50 appearances for Toulouse in the French first and second divisions before a loan move took him to Danish club FC Copenhagen in August 2021. Gabrielsen made seven appearances with FC Copenhagen before returning to Toulouse upon the expiration of his loan deal in December 2021.

A senior international, Gabrielsen has made two appearances for the Norwegian Men’s National Team throughout his career.

Gabrielsen played 90 minutes and wore the captain’s armband from the 67th minute on in Norway’s 1-1 draw against Austria in a November 2020 UEFA Nations League match and then came on as a substitute in Norway’s 2-0 win over Montenegro in FIFA World Cup Qualifying in October 2021.

Austin FC 2022 Preseason Schedule

January 21, 2022 by Shawn Collins

Austin FC has announced their full 2022 preseason schedule. The team will be training at St. David’s Performance Center from Monday, January 17 through the 2022 home opener versus FC Cincinnati on February 26.

Throughout the six-week preseason, Austin FC will play at least four preseason matches prior to the launch of the 2022 MLS regular season.

Austin FC will face Toronto FC on February 9 at St. David’s Performance Center, Houston Dynamo FC at PNC Stadium in Houston on February 12, Liga MX champions Atlas FC at Q2 Stadium on February 16 at 8pm CT, and Chicago Fire FC on February 19 at St. David’s Performance Center.

The match against Atlas FC on February 16 will be the only Austin FC 2022 preseason match open to the public. Austin FC Season Ticket Members have received tickets to the February 16 match as part of their season ticket membership.

Tickets to see Austin FC play Atlas on February 16 at Q2 Stadium are now on sale at austinfc.com and q2stadium.com, as well as SeatGeek.com: get $20 off your first order on SeatGeek with code: SHAWNCOLLINS.

In addition, five trialists will join Austin FC for the 2022 preseason: defender Graham Smith, midfielder/forward Milan Iloski, midfielder Dillon Powers, winger/forward Veljko Petkovic, and defender/midfielder Tony Rocha.

Austin FC’s 2022 MLS regular season begins at Q2 Stadium on February 26 against FC Cincinnati. The February 26 regular-season opener at Q2 Stadium will be the first-ever matchup between Austin FC and FC Cincinnati.

Austin FC vs Atlas FC Friendly on February 16, 2022

January 17, 2022 by Shawn Collins

Austin FC will be hosting Liga MX Champions, Atlas FC, at Q2 Stadium in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, February 16th at 8:00 PM.

Season ticket holders will receive tickets to this match as part of the Season Ticket membership. The tickets have been loaded into SeatGeek accounts of season ticket holders.

Based in Guadalajara in the Mexican state of Jalisco, Atlas defeated Club León on penalty kicks in the two-legged Apertura 2021 Final last December, claiming the Club’s first Liga MX title since the 1950-1951 season.

Atlas is managed by Argentine Diego Cocca, who took over in 2020.

In addition to its two Liga MX titles, Atlas has won four Copa MX titles and four Campeón de Campeones titles.

Since its founding in 1916, Atlas has developed some of the Mexican men’s national team’s most famous names, including legendary El Tri defender Rafael Márquez, Andrés Guardado, and Jared Borgetti.

3 Years Ago Today Austin FC Was Announced as the 27th MLS Team

January 15, 2022 by Shawn Collins

MLS Commissioner Don Garber came to Austin and made it official on January 15, 2019, that Austin FC would be the 27th team in MLS.

The event was emceed by US Soccer legend Alexi Lalas, and also featured Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Austin Owner/Operator Anthony Precourt.

And a packed house of excited Austin FC supporters at Rustic Tap.

What a wild ride and we’re just getting started. Listos! Verde!

Colombian Midfielder Jhojan Valencia Signed by Austin FC

January 14, 2022 by Shawn Collins

Austin FC has announced that they reached an agreement with Colombian side Deportivo Cali for the transfer of midfielder Jhojan Valencia.

Valencia, 25, joins Austin FC on a three-year contract with an option for the 2025 season after leading Deportivo Cali to the 2021 Liga BetPlay Dimayor Torneo Finalización (Colombian first division) title.

Valencia will occupy an international spot on the Austin FC roster.

A native of Cali, Colombia, Valencia made 73 appearances in all competitions for Deportivo Cali, registering one goal and one assist en route to two Colombian First Division Titles – the first league championship coming in 2015 during his debut season with Cali and the second in 2021.

In addition, the midfielder spent time on loan with Cúcuta Deportivo in 2017 and two seasons on loan with Unión Magdalena in 2018 and 2019, helping Unión win promotion to the Colombian top flight for the 2019 season.

In total, Valencia made 163 professional appearances in Colombia from 2015-2021.