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Austin FC and the Austin Soccer Community

Emiliano Rigoni

Austin FC Advances to the Western Conference Semifinal

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Austin FC is headed to the Western Conference Semifinal of the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday, October 23 at 7:00 PM CT at Q2 Stadium.

Austin FC to the Western Conference Semifinal

After a wild first-ever playoff match ended in penalty kicks with an Austin FC win over Real Salt Lake, the club made it on to the next round.

And what a match that was, with an early 2-0 deficit equalized in extra time in the second half.

It was stressful and amazing to see Driussi get the brace to tie it, and then a shootout dominated by Austin FC with incredible saves by Brad Stuver and goals from Sebastian Driussi, Diego Fagundez, and Emiliano Rigoni.

Season ticket holders were charged for the next round of tickets if they didn’t opt-out of the automatic purchases.

Otherwise, tickets to the Western Conference Semifinal go on sale on Tuesday, October 18 at 10:00 AM CT.

I can’t wait to get back to Q2 Stadium on Sunday in my verde and black.

Argentine Attacker Emiliano Rigoni Joins Austin FC

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Austin FC has announced that the Club has reached an agreement with Brazilian Série A club São Paulo FC for the transfer of Argentine attacker Emiliano Rigoni.

Emiliano Rigoni

Rigoni, 29, joins Austin FC on a Designated Player contract, guaranteed through the 2024 MLS season with options in 2025 and 2026.

Emiliano Rigoni will arrive in Austin in the coming weeks upon receipt of his P1 visa.

Rigoni began his professional career with Club Atlético Belgrano in his native Argentina in 2013, and also played for Club Atlético Independiente in his home country, with whom he won the 2016/17 Copa Sudamericana.

Rigoni signed with Zenit Saint Petersburg of the Russian Premier League in 2017, where he played alongside Austin FC midfielder and Designated Player Sebastián Driussi and helped the club win three Russian championships, one Russian Cup, and one Russian Super Cup between 2019 and 2021.

Rigoni scored a hat-trick in Zenit’s 3-1 UEFA Europa League group stage win over Rosenborg BK on October 19, 2017.

While with Zenit, Rigoni went on loan to Atalanta and Sampdoria of Italy’s Serie A, and to Elche of Spain’s La Liga.

Rigoni left Zenit in 2021 and signed with São Paulo in Brazil.

Across his club career, Rigoni has 55 goals and 36 assists in 307 matches. At the international level, Rigoni made two appearances for the Argentina senior men’s national team including his national team debut in 2017 in a World Cup Qualifying match vs Peru.

Rigoni will occupy Designated Player and International designations on the Austin FC roster.