Austin FC II announced on January 23, 2023 that the team signed defender and Austin FC Academy standout Anthony De Anda (formerly referred to as Anthony Gonzalez) to its MLS NEXT Pro roster. De Anda, 17, is the first Austin FC Academy player to sign with Austin FC II. He joins on a two-year deal through the end of 2024 with options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
De Anda has been with the Austin FC Academy since August 2021 and had a stellar 2022 season competing with the Austin FC U-17 team. He scored two (2) goals in an MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Round of 16 match against New York City FC, and was selected to compete in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game in Minnesota last July.
His impressive performances at the Club level earned De Anda a call-up to the U-19 United States Men’s Youth National Team, whom he joined for the program’s training camp in Carson, Calif. from July 25 to Aug. 2, 2022.
