MLS NEXT Pro announced today that Austin FC II was named the league’s Team of the Month for May, while goalkeeper Erik Lauta was named Goalkeeper of the Month and midfielder Erick Feliciano was named Rising Star of the Month.
The Verde & Black are on a team-record 10-match unbeaten streak dating back to March 8 and went a perfect 5-0-0 in May. That run sees the team sitting third in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference Standings and fourth in the overall standings with a 7-3-1 record.
“It’s an honor for the group to be selected as Team of the Month,” Head Coach Jason Shackell said. “The players have worked incredibly hard and committed to showing up every day. This award is a reflection of what we are aiming to build here at Austin FC II, and I couldn’t be prouder of how they’ve responded.”
Lauta started in all five of Austin FC II’s May matches and racked up four clean sheets with only one goal conceded. He’s recorded 23 saves so far this season, making 16 of those in May alone including four key saves against St. Louis City 2 to earn Austin a solid 4-1 win over the No. 2 team in the West.
Feliciano, an Austin FC Academy product, made his debut this season and has since appeared in six Austin FC II games and started in three of those. The 16-year-old has shown immense confidence on the pitch, recording his first career goal and assist as a substitute against Colorado on May 13 and adding another goal against St. Louis just four days later.
Austin FC II return home Sunday, June 7, to face LAFC 2 under the Parmer Lights for a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Parmer Field. The match will be available to watch on OneFootball and MLSNEXTPro.com.
