Austin FC II won the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational on Saturday night at Parmer Field at St. David's Performance Center, defeating Liga de Expansión MX side Cancún FC 2-1. The victory makes ATXFC II the first-ever MLSNP team to defeat a team from Mexico. Both Austin goals came from set pieces, with Micah Burton and Alonso Ramírez providing the finishing touches from assists by CJ Fodrey.
Burton got the hosts going early with a headed goal in the eighth minute. Cheick Touré delivered a free kick in the box, which Fodrey nodded back across the face of goal to find Burton and open the scoring. On the other side of halftime, Ramírez cleverly brought down a corner kick from Fodrey to evade his man and fire in a shot from close range, doubling Austin's advantage.
Though Cancún pulled a goal back through Mauro Pérez, the visitors were unable to find an equalizer. Austin FC II emerged as the winners at the final whistle and lifted the MLS NEXT Pro Invitational Trophy. Micah Burton took home MVP honors for the match.
Goal-Scoring Summary
ATX (1-0) - Micah Burton (assisted by CJ Fodrey) 8'
ATX (2-0) - Alonso Ramírez (assisted by CJ Fodrey) 59'
CAN (2-1) - Mauro Pérez (assisted by José Rodríguez) 67'
Next Match
Austin FC II will play the 9th home match and 18th match overall of its 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season against North Texas SC on Friday, August 2 at 8:00 p.m. CT at Parmer Field at St. David's Performance Center. The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Match Information
Venue: Parmer Field at St. David's Performance Center (Austin, TX)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 76 degrees
Referee: William Hale
Assistant Referee: Joseph Jeffers
Assistant Referee: Abelardo Flores-Dominguez
Fourth Official: Kaitlyn Trowbridge
