Austin FC kicks off its 2024 Leagues Cup campaign on Friday night at Q2 Stadium. The Verde & Black will face Pumas UNAM in the first of two group stage matches with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. CT.
Tune-In
Fans can watch the match in English or Spanish in over 100 countries for free on Apple TV, UniMás, and FS1.
- Stream: Click here to watch the match, or access it through any device compatible with the Apple TV app.
- Watch: The match will feature national television broadcasts in English on FS1 and in Spanish on UniMás.
- Radio: The match will be broadcast live locally in English on iHeart Radio’s Alt 97.5, and in Spanish on Univision’s TUDN Radio Austin (104.3-HD2, KLQB-FM).
Austin FC Outlook
Austin FC tied against Charlotte FC 2-2 Saturday night at Q2 Stadium with goals from Alex Ring and Jon Gallagher. Austin took the lead in the 11th minute, but Charlotte equalized before the break and took the lead early in the second half. Austin came from behind in the 80th minute though to earn a point. Winger Osman Bukari and defender Mikkel Desler both made their debut for Austin on Saturday ahead of Leagues Cup.
The Verde & Black now shift their attention to Leagues Cup play as they go against Liga MX side Pumas UNAM for the their first of two Leagues Cup group stage matches at Q2 Stadium. In order to advance to the Leagues Cup knockout rounds, Austin FC needs to finish in either first or second in its three-team group with Pumas UNAM and CF Monterrey.
Austin will set their sights on winning the group to ensure hosting rights in the Round of 32. In addition to Bukari and Desler, summer signing Oleksandr Svatok has also arrived in Austin and is eligible to make his debut in the team’s Leagues Cup matches.
Pumas UNAM Outlook
Pumas UNAM is currently sitting in 2nd place in the Liga MX standings with four matches under their belt and a record of 3-1-0. Pumas are coming off a 2-0 win against reigning Concacaf Champions Cup winners CF Pachuca last Sunday night at home. Ulises Rivas and Cesar Huerta both scored in the victory.
Pumas are coached by Gustavo Lema. A native of Argentina, Lema played for River Plate’s academy, before making his senior debut with Club Atlético Douglas Haig in 1991.
Pumas UNAM has won eleven trophies domestically, including seven Liga MX titles, two Campeón de Campeones titles, one Copa MX and one Segunda División de México.
Last year, Pumas exited the inaugural Leagues Cup in the Round of 32 after suffering a 1-0 loss against Queretaro. Pumas will be missing a key player for the foreseeable future after Leonardo Suárez suffered a severe knee injury.
