A 2-1 loss to last-place was the ultimate straw for management, with the membership saying Monday, Could 18 that it has fired supervisor Nico Estevez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell.
Austin FC began play in 2021 in entrance of sell-out crowds in a metropolis that beforehand had no skilled sports activities group. It made the playoffs in its sophomore season however has since struggled to match the vitality off the sphere and throughout the 4 strains of the sphere.
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Estevez returned the membership to the playoffs final 12 months in a first-round exit and in addition pushed Austin to the ultimate of the U.S. Open Cup. However a 3W-6L-5D begin to the MLS season and early USOC elimination by the hands of lower-division Louisville Metropolis led administrators to make a change.
“I believe the analysis must be on the finish of the season, proper? Give time to see if I can get the group within the playoff, proper? As a result of on the finish of the day I understand due to this six years – a few of these years didn’t go in the fitting approach – I’m grabbing all these years the place I wasn’t right here,” Estevez mentioned after the SKC loss. “For me, it’s like I’m having a foul 5 months.
“We play a closing, the primary time within the historical past of the membership. Nobody anticipated that and never so many groups play finals. Then, we certified within the playoffs. This second is my lowest second within the membership. That’s proper. However I really feel like I’m carrying 4 years the place I wasn’t right here.”
However Estevez will not get the possibility to attempt to put the group within the playoffs, with Austin FC retaining Excel Sports activities Administration to steer a brand new teaching search because the World Cup break approaches.
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Extra:
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 22: San Diego FC’s Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a objective towards Actual Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL performed to a 2-2 draw.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 22: San Diego FC’s Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a objective towards Actual Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL performed to a 2-2 draw.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: St. Louis Metropolis’s Simon Becher (11) tackles the ball away from the New England Revolutio’ns Matt Polster at Energizer Park. St. Louis Metropolis received the match, 3-1.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: Orlando Metropolis goalkeeper Maxime Crapeau (71) blocks the header by Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge throughout the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville SC received the match, 5-0.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran makes a play on the ball in entrance of Columbus Crew ahead Jamal Thiaré (throughout the second half at BMO Area. TFC received the match, 2-1.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 15: The Vancouver Whitecaps’ Mathías Laborda (2) scores towards the Minnesota United en path to a 6-0 rout of Minnesota at BC Place.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: San Diego FC’s Jeppe Tverskov (6) heads the ball throughout the second half towards FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. The sport led to a 3-3 tie.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 7: A tifo is seen earlier than the sport between the Chicago Fireplace and Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Area. The sport led to a 0-0 draw.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 1: Inter Miami’s German Berterame controls the ball towards Orlando Metropolis throughout the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Inter Miami received the sport, 4-2.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 28: Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga and the Houston Dynamo’s Antonio Carlos (left) compete for possession throughout the first half at Shell Power Stadium. LAFC received the match, 2-0.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 28: The Chicago Fireplace’s Jonathan Dean (24) and CF Montrea’s Hennadii Synchuk battle for management of the ball throughout the second half at Soldier Area. Chicago received the match, 3-0.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 22: The Seattle Sounders’ Paul Rothrock celebrates after scoring a objective towards the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Area. Seattle received the match, 2-0.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 21: FC Cincinnati’s Gerardo Valenzuela (middle) has his shot blocked by Atlanta United’s Elias Baez(left) throughout the first half at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati received the match, 2-0.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 21: Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) reaches for the ball towards Actual Salt Lake throughout the second half at BC Place. Vancouver received the match, 1-0.
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MLS motion, objectives, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 21: Followers watch throughout the nationwide anthem earlier than the sport between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAFC received the sport, 3-0, knocking off the defending MLS champs.
“Nico has been a trusted ambassador for Austin FC and Austin throughout his time as Head Coach,” Austin FC CEO and proprietor Anthony Precourt mentioned in a information launch. “We imagine this group can compete for a playoff place, and given our outcomes so far, a change is important to realize our objectives of qualifying for the playoffs this 12 months and changing into a constant winner on this league.”
Austin had some tough harm luck, notably seeing ahead endure an ACL tear simply months after arriving on a club-record deal from Monterrey. However along with the Vazquez deal, Austin additionally spent large to herald and on designated participant offers.
Bukari moved on within the offseason, with signed on a long-term deal. The previous attacker now occupies one of many membership’s DP slots with Vazquez and Uzuni.
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Austin performs in its closing recreation earlier than MLS breaks two months for World Cup play. will function the interim supervisor for that contest.