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Austin FC Eliminated From Playoff Race After Loss

A 2-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake at Q2 Stadium ends the team's postseason bid for the 2026 season.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Soccer

Expressive soccer match illustration showing players in green and black versus claret and white kits clashing under bright stadium lights.
Austin FC was officially eliminated from the 2026 playoff race following a 2-1 defeat by Real Salt Lake at Q2 Stadium on Tuesday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Austin FC fans will face an early end to the season after the club lost 2-1 to Real Salt Lake, formally eliminating the team from playoff contention. With this defeat at Q2 Stadium, the club officially hits a wall in its pursuit of a postseason spot.

Why it matters

The loss leaves Austin FC on the sidelines for the playoffs for the third time in four years, continuing a trend of postseason absence since their 2022 run. Fans now look ahead to a closing schedule with no path to the league's ninth-place cutoff.

Austin FC holds an 8-14-10 record this season with 34 total points, while the club now eyes a maximum season finish of 40 points. It remains unknown how the front office plans to restructure for the upcoming cycle.

The players

Austin FC

The professional soccer club representing the city of Austin in Major League Soccer.

Jorge Alastuey

An Austin FC player who scored his first career goal during the match against Real Salt Lake.

Saba Lobjanidze

A Real Salt Lake player who scored a goal during the match at Q2 Stadium.

Morgan Guilavogui

A Real Salt Lake player who secured a goal to help defeat Austin FC.

The details

Real Salt Lake secured the win through goals from Saba Lobjanidze and Morgan Guilavogui, overcoming an early second-half strike from Austin's Jorge Alastuey. The result at Q2 Stadium seals Austin's exit from the playoff race, as the club fails to close the gap on the current ninth-place team. The organization must now pivot its operations toward preparing for the 2027 MLS season.

Timeline

  1. October 28, 2026: Austin FC lost to Real Salt Lake at Q2 Stadium.

  2. 2022: The last time Austin FC won a postseason game.

The Texas Context

This early exit highlights the challenges facing the club, which has not won a postseason game since the 2022 MLS postseason. The result underscores a difficult period for the team as it fails to qualify for the playoffs for the third time in four years.

Supporters can expect a shift in team focus as the organization begins long-term planning for 2027. Fans holding tickets for the remainder of the schedule should check the official club calendar for the final kickoff times.

The takeaway

The club faces an early end to its current campaign, leaving fans to monitor the organization's offseason roster decisions. Stay tuned for announcements regarding changes to the coaching staff or player acquisitions as the team prepares for the 2027 season.

Further reading

For more on the current state of the team, visit our Soccer coverage.

Live Poll

Does your local team's inability to reach the playoffs change how you support them?