Austin FC announced on Nov. 30 its 2022 roster decisions—declining contract and transfer options on eight players, while re-signing three others.
Manneh, Berhalter, Perez, Schoenfeld, Scott, Stanley, and Sweat are all out before the club enters its second MLS season.
Players we cheered for, rooted on, and high-fived appear to be leaving Austin’s city limits for good after decision day. We knew this day would come, but it’s hard to see the inaugural squad broken up.
Few of these moves are a surprise though as the club notched next to last place in the Western Conference in 2021. The Verde has significant work to do now in reshaping its defense, as well as adding key pieces in the midfield and attacking positions.
Due to a shortened offseason this year to accommodate the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Austin has precious little time to fill those empty roster spots, and integrate new players into the team, prior to hosting its first match on Feb. 26 against FC Cincinnati.
2022 Austin FC Roster Decisions
2022 contract options exercised (3): Freddy Kleemann, Will Pulisic, and Alex Ring.
2022 contract options declined (6): Kekuta Manneh, Aaron Schoenfeld, Brady Scott, Aedan Stanley, Jared Stroud, and Ben Sweat.
Players that had their contract declined can get a renegotiated deal in the offseason to stay with ATXFC in 2022. The club announced Jared Stroud was re-signed on Dec. 17.
2022 transfer options not exercised (2): Sebastian Berhalter and Manny Perez
2022 player loan exercised (1): Tomás Pochettino
Players with guaranteed contracts in 2022 (19): Julio Cascante, Moussa Djitté, Cecilio Domínguez, Sebastián Driussi, Diego Fagundez, McKinze Gaines, Jon Gallagher, Danny Hoesen, Hector Jimenez, Žan Kolmanič, Nick Lima, Daniel Pereira, Tomás Pochettino, Rodney Redes, Jhohan Romaña, Ulises Segura, Brad Stuver, Andrew Tarbell, and Owen Wolff
2022 MLS SuperDraft (3): Kipp Keller (center back, Saint Louis University), Charlie Asensio (left back, Clemson University), and Michael Knapp (midfielder, New York Red Bulls II)
2022 free agency signing (4): Ethan Finlay, Maxi Urruti, Ruben Gabrielsen, Felipe Martins
2022 players waived (1): Ulises Segura
Here is how ATXFC’s current roster shakes out by position in this offseason MLS trade and roster move window.
2022 Austin FC Roster
GOALKEEPERS (4): Damian Las (Homegrown), Will Pulisic (Supplemental), Brad Stuver, Andrew Tarbell
DEFENDERS (7): Charlie Asensio (Supplemental), Julio Cascante, Freddy Kleemann (Supplemental), Kipp Keller (Generation Adidas, Supplemental), Žan Kolmanič (U22 Initiative), Nick Lima, Jhohan Romaña, Ruben Gabrielsen (International)
MIDFIELDERS (10): Cecilio Domínguez (International, Designated Player), Diego Fagundez, Ethan Finlay, Hector Jimenez, Felipe Martins (Supplemental), Daniel Pereira (Supplemental, Generation Adidas, International), Alex Ring (Designated Player), Jared Stroud, Jhojan Valencia (International), Owen Wolff (Homegrown)
FORWARDS (6): Moussa Djitté (International, U22 Initiative), Sebastián Driussi (International, Designated Player), Jon Gallagher (Supplemental), Danny Hoesen, Rodney Redes (U22 Initiative), Maxi Urruti