Austin FC and Minnesota United FC Begin New MLS Campaign
AUSTIN, TX – February 22, 2026 – Austin FC hosted Minnesota United FC at Q2 Stadium today, marking the beginning of the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season for both teams. The match kicked off at 2:30 AM CST, with Armando Villarreal serving as the referee.
Minnesota United’s Roster Overhaul
Minnesota United entered the season following a significant roster turnover during the 25/26 transfer window. The club invested a total of €7.58 million in transfer fees for new players, boasting an average age of 23.5 and a total market value of €18.63 million [Transfermarkt]. Key additions include:
- Nectarios Triantis (Central Midfield, from Sunderland for €2.50m)
- Dominik Fitz (Attacking Midfield, from Austria Vienna for €2.00m)
- Kenyel Michel (Left Winger, from LD Alajuelense for €1.11m)
Minnesota also welcomed James Rodríguez (Attacking Midfield) and Kyle Duncan (Right-Back) on free transfers. Alexis Fariña (Attacking Midfield, from Cerro Porteño) and Britton Fischer (Centre-Back, from Minnesota 2 MLS Next Pro) joined on loan [Transfermarkt].
The Loons also saw players depart, totaling €10.65 million in transfer fees, with an average age of 24.7 and a total market value of €21.00 million [Transfermarkt].
Previous Encounter
In a previous match on May 4, 2025, Minnesota United defeated Austin FC 3-0 at Q2 Stadium. Goals were scored by Ilie Sánchez (own goal), Anthony Markanich Jr., and Joaquín Pereyra [Transfermarkt]. The attendance for that game was 20,738 [Transfermarkt].
Standings
As of February 22, 2026, Austin FC held the 1st position in the MLS standings, while Minnesota United was ranked 7th, according to Sofascore [Transfermarkt].
Match Details
The match between Austin FC and Minnesota United FC began at 1:30 AM hours at Q2 Stadium [Transfermarkt].