Austin FC vs. Club América: The Leagues Cup Showdown You Can’t Miss
Austin FC Hosts Club América in Crucial Leagues Cup Showdown
Match Time: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
Tournament: Leagues Cup 2026 Phase One (Match 3 of 3)
What Is the Leagues Cup?
Think of the Leagues Cup like a big soccer party where teams from two different leagues—Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA/Canada and Liga MX in Mexico—play against each other.
- Teams play group stage matches first (that’s "Phase One")
- The best teams advance to the knockout rounds (win-or-go-home games)
- Only 4 teams from MLS and 4 teams from Liga MX make it to the knockout stage
Austin FC’s Road So Far
Match 1 vs. Club Puebla: WIN 3-0
| Player | What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Myrto Uzuni | Scored 3 goals (a "hat trick") | Only the 2nd player ever in Austin FC history to do this! |
| 2 goals before the 8th minute | Fastest start in club history | |
| Now 2nd all-time leading scorer for Austin FC | Club legend status loading… | |
| Brad Stuver (Goalkeeper) | Shutout (zero goals allowed) | 2 clean sheets in a row in this tournament |
What’s a "hat trick"?
When one player scores 3 goals in a single game. It’s rare and special!
Current Standings for Austin FC
- Record: 2 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws (2-0-0)
- Goals Scored: 3 | Goals Allowed: 0
- MLS Leagues Cup Table: #1 (tied with 5 other teams)
- Knockout Spots Available: Only 4 for all MLS teams
Meet the Opponent: Club América
They’re Good. Really Good.
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Leagues Cup Record | 2-0-0 (Perfect!) |
| Wins Over | San Diego FC & Portland Timbers |
| Last Match | Beat Portland 3-1 (came from behind!) |
| Liga MX Record | 2-1-0 (Tied for 1st place) |
| Coach | Guillermo Almada |
| Attack Style | Super balanced — 5 different players scored their 5 league goals |
Key Players to Watch
- Isaías Violante — Scored the go-ahead goal vs. Portland (64th minute)
- Óscar Perea — Scored the late "insurance" goal to seal the win
Important: Club América is one of Mexico’s biggest, most successful clubs. They want to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2024.
What’s at Stake Thursday Night?
For Austin FC
- Win = Automatic Quarterfinal Spot
- Draw or Loss = Need help from other games (complicated math )
- Keep the shutout streak alive — Brad Stuver chasing 3 in a row!
For Club América
- Win = Guaranteed Knockout Round Berth
- First time advancing since 2024
The Simple Version
Both teams have perfect records. Both want to win. Only one can (or it’s a tie). Winner takes a giant step toward the quarterfinals.
How to Watch & Listen
| Language | Station | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| English | iHeart Radio – Alt 97.5 | 97.5 FM |
| Spanish | Univision – TUDN Radio Austin | 104.3 HD2 / KLQB-FM |
Note: Check local listings for TV/streaming options — they sometimes change!
Quick Recap: The Storylines
- Uzuni on Fire — Can he keep scoring? He’s 2 goals away from #1 all-time!
- Stuver’s Wall — 3 straight shutouts would be historic
- Battle of the Unbeatens — Two perfect teams, one Thursday night
- Playoff Implications — Win and you’re in (basically)
- Style Clash — Austin’s speed vs. América’s experience & balance
Summary
Austin FC comes into Thursday’s match riding high after a 3-0 demolition of Puebla, powered by Myrto Uzuni’s historic hat trick. The Verde & Black sit atop the MLS Leagues Cup standings with a perfect 2-0-0 record and zero goals conceded.
Standing in their way: Club América, the Mexican giants who also boast a 2-0-0 tournament record and a balanced, dangerous attack. A win for either side essentially punches their ticket to the quarterfinals.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT at Q2 Stadium. Grab a snack, tune in to Alt 97.5 (English) or TUDN 104.3 HD2 (Spanish), and enjoy what should be a fantastic soccer match!
FAQ
1. What happens if the game ends in a tie?
Both teams get 1 point in the standings. Austin would still have a great shot at advancing but would need other results to go their way. América would likely still advance but not be guaranteed.
2. Who is Myrto Uzuni and why is everyone talking about him?
He’s Austin FC’s forward (striker) from Albania. On Sunday, he scored 3 goals in the first half — including 2 in the first 8 minutes! That’s a "hat trick," and only the 2nd in club history. He’s now the 2nd all-time leading scorer for Austin FC.
3. What’s a "shutout" and why does Brad Stuver have 2?
A shutout means the goalkeeper didn’t allow any goals in the game. Stuver has blanked both Leagues Cup opponents so far. A 3rd straight would be a club record for the tournament.
4. How many teams advance from each league?
Only 4 MLS teams and 4 Liga MX teams move on to the knockout rounds. Right now, 6 MLS teams have perfect records — so not everyone with a great start will make it!
5. Is Club América really that big of a deal?
Yes. They’re one of the most successful and popular clubs in Mexico (and all of CONCACAF). Think of them like the New York Yankees or Dallas Cowboys of Mexican soccer — huge history, huge fanbase, huge expectations.
Go Verde & Black!