Austin FC, 4ATX Foundation, other Texas MLS franchises pledge to flood relief efforts

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Major League Soccer and its three Texas-based franchises are pledging $500,000 to flood relief efforts in the Texas Hill Country.

MLS, along with Austin FC, FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo made the announcement Wednesday. 4ATX Foundation, Austin FC’s nonprofit, is also contributing to the donation.

“Austin FC and 4ATX Foundation join Major League Soccer and our fellow Texas clubs in extending our heartfelt condolences to everyone impacted by the recent tragedy in Central Texas,” a statement from Austin FC stated. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the devastation caused by recent flooding events.”

The club said the donation is “to support life-sustaining humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.”

Austin hosts New England at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Q2 Stadium. Verde and Black advanced to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, beating the San Jose Earthquakes on penalty kicks after playing to a 2-2 draw Tuesday at PayPal Park. Myrto Uzuni leveled the match in the 115th minute to send it to penalty kicks.

It will be a while before the tournament resumes play following the quarterfinals. Austin meets Minnesota United in the semifinals either Sept. 16 or 17 at Allianz Field. Philadelphia takes on the New York Red Bulls, and Nashville plays D.C. United in the remaining quarterfinal matches Wednesday.

Austin’s MLS match against LAFC, originally for July 5, has yet to be rescheduled. It was postponed due to heavy rain and storms that contributed to flooding across Central Texas.

Austin hosts the MLS All-Star Game on July 23.