Austin Bold FC (ABFC) was an American professional soccer team located in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2017, the team made its debut in the USL Championship in 2019. In 2021, Austin Bold FC announced it would be moving to Fort Worth, Texas leaving Circuit of the Americas at the end of the season but may have to wait until 2023, depending on the construction of their stadium.
History
Founding and Early Years (2017–2018) The USL announced the return of professional soccer to Austin for the 2019 season on August 9, 2017, with Circuit of The Americas chairman Bobby Stein leading the ownership group and securing approval for a permanent home venue at the Circuit of The Americas.
The club entered the United Soccer League in 2019.
Stadium The club played at Bold Stadium on the grounds of the Circuit of the Americas race track, located between the amphitheater and the grand plaza. The first goal in the stadium was scored by Kleber Giacomazzi in a 1–0 win against San Antonio FC on March 30, 2019.
Ownership Bobby Stein, chairman of the Circuit of the Americas, has led the ownership group after becoming majority owner in 2017. He became involved in a public relations battle with Anthony Precourt, the primary owner of Austin FC, who had been sanctioned by Major League Soccer to create a franchise in Austin after selling his stake in the Columbus Crew amid controversy. Stein was criticized for his tactics, including hiring petition campaigners who are accused of lying to the public.
In December 2021, a new ownership group was approved by the USL. The new ownership group consists of Donnie Nelson, Neil Leibman, and Stein. The team did not participate in the 2022 USL Championship as it sought relocation to another city in Texas, and has not participated since, as they were never able to get any stadium deal done.
Sponsorship PeriodKit ManufacturerShirt Sponsor 2019–2020 BLK Ascension Seton 2021 Puma
Players and staff Roster
No.Pos.PlayerNation
Staff
Rick Abbott – acting general manager Brandon Brock - Director, Ticket Sales Catherine Ryland – team administrator Marcelo Serrano - sporting director Ryan Thompson – head coach Vacant – assistant coach Michael Alcaraz – goalkeeper coach Ally Furey – head athletic trainer Sarah Khalifa – assistant athletic trainer / assistant performance coach
Team records Year-by-year
SeasonUSL Championship Play-offs U.S. Open Cup Top scorer Head coach Player Goals201934131295352488th, WesternConference quarterfinals4th Round André Lima14 Marcelo Serrano2020165473027223rd, WesternGroup DDid not qualifyCancelled Billy Forbes7 Marcelo Serrano2021321010123242426th, MountainDid not qualifyCancelled Xavier Báez6 Ryan Thompson
1. Top scorer includes statistics from league matches only.
Head coaches Includes USL regular season, USL playoffs, U.S. Open Cup. Excludes friendlies. Coach Nationality Start End Games Win Loss Draw Win % Marcelo Augusto Silva Serrano Ryan Thompson present
Average attendance Year Reg. season Playoffs 2019 2,395 2,656 2020 2496 DNQ 2021 957 DNQ
Honors Minor Copa Tejas (Division 2) Winners (1): 2019
References
External links