Austin FC announced today the Club has signed Brett Uttley as the first-ever Head Coach of Austin FC II, the Club’s new MLS NEXT Pro team set to begin competing in 2023. Uttley holds both a UEFA A License and a UEFA Elite Youth A License from the Welsh Football Association, and most recently served as an assistant coach at Inter Miami CF.
“I’m very excited to have the chance to lead Austin FC II in its inaugural season in MLS NEXT Pro,” said Uttley. “The soccer community in Austin is amazing, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Uttley began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Quinnipiac University in 2014, and joined Seattle Sounders FC in 2016 where he served as both an academy and a fitness coach. He later spent three (3) seasons as first assistant coach of Rio Grande Valley FC, then the USL Championship affiliate of Houston Dynamo FC.
Uttley joined the Inter Miami CF coaching staff in 2020, serving in a variety of roles with both the first team and development staff and rising to the position of assistant coach in June 2022.
Prior to beginning his coaching career, Uttley played collegiate soccer at Quinnipiac University and the University of Rhode Island, and professionally for Lidköpings FK in Sweden.
“Brett is a highly-talented young coach, and we’re pleased to welcome him to Austin to lead Austin FC II on the field,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna. “He will have our full support as we prepare our top young talents for the next level.”
Launched in March 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT, the youth academies associated with MLS clubs, through to MLS itself. 28 teams, including Austin FC II, are set to compete in the league next season.
Further details about Austin FC II, including the crest, home venue, and player signings will be announced in the coming months, along with the MLS NEXT Pro’s competition and schedule format for 2023. To learn more about MLS NEXT Pro, visit https://www.mlsnextpro.com.
