After an underwhelming 2024 campaign Austin FC are making some major moves in the MLS off-season.

MLS Insider Tom Bogert reports that Austin have agreed a deal to bring in USMNT striker Brandon Vázquez from Liga MX side Monterrey. The 26-year-old will command a fee of around $10 million, breaking the team’s transfer record for the second time in less than a year.

In summer 2024 Austin announced the $7 million arrival of Osman Bukari from Red Star Belgrade to boost their wide options. Both Bukari and Vázquez will occupy designated player spots in a much-changed Austin roster.

California-born Vázquez is well-known to MLS fans for his stints with Atlanta United and FC Cincinnati, winning the Supporters' Shield with the latter. He was named in the MLS All-Star team in 2023 and established himself as one of the league’s most complete strikers.

Austin FC ring the changes for 2025

When Vázquez made the move to Mexico last year some assumed that it was a stepping stone to Europe. He has been capped by USMNT 11 times but Vázquez failed to impress consistently with the Rayados and returns to MLS as Austin look to rebuild a team that has stagnated.

As Vázquez comes in, Austin’s record goalscorer looks set to be heading to the exit. Sebastian Driussi has been the undisputed talisman since his arrival in 2021, notably scoring 25 goals in all competitions during the 2022 season. Not bad for an attacking midfielder.

However Driussi’s form has dipped in subsequent seasons as the team struggled to settle on a specific style of play. The Argentine looks set to return to his homeland to sign for River Plate, marking a changing of the guard at Q2 Stadium.

Former FC Dallas head coach and USMNT assistant Nico Estevez joins to lead Austin in 2025 and much is expected of the ambitious young club. Across 2024 the Western Conference proved to be surprisingly competitive and Austin have work to do to close the ground of the teams at the top of the table.