Tigres UANL has played in the Austin area before, but this time will be different. The Mexican giants from Monterrey will face Austin FC on July 13 at Q2 Stadium.
The match will be the first international friendly hosted by Austin FC, and will kick off at 8 p.m. that Tuesday during an international break for the Concacaf Gold Cup that coincides with the Liga MX preseason. Season ticket holders will be able to attend the friendly as part of their membership.
“We are proud to offer Austin FC’s fans this marquee event as our first international friendly,” Austin FC sporting director Claudio Reyna said. “Tigres is a successful Liga MX club that will bring a notable roster for their preseason in the U.S. It will be a great experience for fans and for our players. We look forward to hosting Tigres at Q2 Stadium.”
The Tigres roster includes notable stars André-Pierre Gignac and Carlos Salcedo (Mexico national team) — among others — and won the Concacaf Champions League in 2020. The club is among the most storied teams south of the border with seven Liga MX titles since 1977. It is one of two major clubs in Monterrey, along with Rayados, that form the defining rivalry of modern Mexican soccer.
Tigres is now led by former El Tri and Club América coach Miguel Herrera, who will be preparing for his first season at the helm after Tuca Ferretti departed to Juárez. Herrera also has a connection to Austin FC with designated player Cecilio Domínguez. Kekuta Manneh also played briefly in Liga MX, with Pachuca.
Austin FC is also in the market for another player, potentially from Liga MX, with a source in Mexico telling The Striker Texas last month that Austin FC is pursuing multiple designated player profiles — an attacking midfielder and a forward.
But the most compelling storyline might take place in the stands, where many leaders of the burgeoning Austin FC fan culture will have to choose between their new club and the one that drove their passion for the sport. Many of the songs and traditions that are taking shape in Los Verdes can be traced to Tigres.
Austin FC will contact season ticket members with additional details. Tickets will be offered to Oak Collective waitlist members as part of a presale on June 29, followed by a public on sale on June 30.
Tigres will play two matches in Texas against fellow Liga MX opponents prior to their friendly against Austin FC. On July 7, Tigres will face Chivas de Guadalajara at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, followed by a July 10 match against Club América at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Broadcast details for the Austin match will be announced at a later date.