It's finally official: After being away for three years, the United Soccer League is returning to Austin, and will be on the field and ready to play by 2019.
A soccer field has been approved for construction at Circuit of the Americas, which already hosts events like the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix, the Pirelli World Challenge and big-name concerts. It's a fantastic multi-purpose venue, but the soccer stadium—and the FC Barcelona training academy that is scheduled to open this summer—is bound to take it up a notch. Circuit of The Americas Chairman Bobby Epstein will lead the organization, and will have majority ownership in the club.
“The USL’s return to Austin is a major moment for the league as it continues to lead the growth of professional soccer across the country,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis in a statement.
The Austin Aztecs left the city after its original home at House Park was ruined in the 2015 Memorial Day floods. There's no word on what the new team's name will be.
“I’m excited to help bring professional soccer back to Austin and want to thank the USL for helping in the process to secure a suitable venue to host a high-level soccer experience for our fans,” Epstein said. “Preparations for kickoff in 2019 are already underway, and I look forward to revealing more information about the club in the coming future.”
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