Major League Soccer announced today that this year’s eMLS Cup will be held in Austin, Texas, where 12 eMLS players will compete downtown at ACL Live for a chance to be crowned eMLS Cup champion. The tournament will be held as an official event at SXSW on March 13.
In addition, MLS also unveiled the full eMLS schedule, which also includes League Series stops in Cincinnati and Chicago before the marquee event of the season, eMLS Cup, in Austin.
“It’s an honor to host eMLS Cup,” said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “Austin is a hub for both gaming and soccer culture, and the addition of eMLS Cup in Austin during SXSW creates an outstanding environment for a championship event.”
Founded in 2018, the fifth edition of eMLS Cup will be a celebration of soccer, gaming, and pop culture with numerous activities for fans to enjoy. The event will be open to SXSW badge holders as well as the general public for free. Registration will open at a later date.
John Garcia, who finished in first place of the overall eMLS standings and reached the semifinals of eMLS Cup in 2021, will return to represent Austin FC under the gamer tag “xVERDE” for the 2022 season. Garcia collected 64 points from 26 games played during eMLS League events last season, achieving his first-place finish with a record of 20 wins, four (4) draws, and two (2) losses. His goal difference of +45 was the best of any eMLS player in 2021, and he defeated Sporting Kansas City eMLS player “Alekzandur” in an eMLS Cup Quarterfinal match.
