Austin FC II and MLS NEXT Pro announced today the details for the Club’s 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference Semifinal match. After defeating Sporting KC II 2-0 at Rock Chalk Park in their first-ever playoff match last Friday, Austin FC II will face Tacoma Defiance at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington on Sunday, October 8 at 9:00 p.m. CT. The match will be available to watch on the Apple TV app to MLS Season Pass subscribers.
Austin and Tacoma split the season series with each team earning a win on their home turf. Austin FC II won the first contest at home on April 12 thanks to two late goals in the final 10 minutes from Alonso Ramírez and Christo Vela. In the second meeting on June 25, Braudilio Rodrigues’ penalty kick in the 32nd minute gave the Defiance the 1-0 victory.
In the second round of MLS NEXT Pro’s unique playoff format, each conference's number one overall seed selects their opponent. As the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, Colorado Rapids 2 chose to face Earthquakes II, resulting in a second-round matchup between Tacoma Defiance and Austin FC II.
All matches played in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs are single-elimination matches. Contrary to the regular season, if matches are tied at full time, two 15-minute halves of extra time will be played instead of the match immediately proceeding to penalty kicks.
The winner of the second-round matchup between second-seed Tacoma Defiance and fourth-seed Austin FC II will advance to the Western Conference Final. The highest remaining seed will host the Western Conference Final matchup on a to-be-determined date.
