Austin FC’s playoff run may have ended in a 3-0 loss to LAFC in the Western Conference Finals on Sunday, but the second-year franchise continues to add to what’s become a memorable campaign.
According to a press release issued by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), Verde earned the last berth in its Champions League tournament next year.
Per CONCACAF, Austin FC is the 20th U.S.-based team to join in the knockout-style tournament, joining its Major League Soccer (MLS) counterparts Philadelphia Union, Orlando City SC and Vancouver Whitecaps in addition to LAFC itself.
Verde locked down the berth by virtue of its status as the highest-ranked MLS club that hadn’t qualified another way, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported.
“Qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League has been a goal for Austin FC since we started competing two years ago,” Claudio Reyna, the team’s sporting director said, KXAN reported. “We look forward to matching up alongside the best teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.”
KXAN reported that the tournament will be held next March, concurrently with the upcoming MLS season.
Austin FC and other participating teams will vie for the right to represent CONCACAF in the 2023 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Club World Cup, according to the station.
Each round of the Champions League will feature home and away matches of which the victor will be decided on the contests’ combined scores, KXAN reported.
Falling short a game from competing for the MLS Cup wasn’t the result Verde hoped for, but fans still felt immense pride for the progress the team made since commencing play in 2021, Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported.
"It's bringing Austin together and it's something we want to be a part of,” self-professed diehard Austin FC fan Art Quezada told the station.
The club finished its 34-match campaign with 16 wins to go with eight draws and 10 losses.