Austin FC and the U.S. Men's National Team have been dealt a significant blow with the news that forward Brandon Vázquez has suffered a torn right ACL. The injury, sustained during Austin FC's U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match against the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday, will require season-ending surgery and casts serious doubt on his availability for the 2026 World Cup.
Vázquez's injury occurred in the 69th minute of the match, just minutes after he converted a penalty kick to tie the score at 1-1. He went down without contact, his right foot planting awkwardly during a stepover, and was visibly emotional as he was stretchered off the field. He was replaced by Žan Kolmanič. The severity of the injury was confirmed on Thursday, with Austin FC announcing that Vázquez would miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
"All of us at Austin FC are devastated to learn of this injury to Brandon, who has proven to be a crucial player for us on the pitch since he arrived," said Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell. "We will be with him every step of the way throughout the rehabilitation process".
The loss of Vázquez is a major setback for Austin FC. The 26-year-old had quickly become a key player for the club since joining from Liga MX side CF Monterrey in January, leading the team with nine goals and one assist across all competitions. Four of those goals came in the U.S. Open Cup. His contributions earned him a spot on the 2025 MLS All-Star roster and a nomination to wear the captain's armband for the All-Star game against the LIGA MX All-Stars.
With Vázquez sidelined, Austin FC will need to find alternative sources of goals. Diego Rubio, Osman Bukari, and Myrto Uzuni are expected to step up and fill the void.
Beyond Austin FC, Vázquez's injury also impacts the USMNT. He has four goals in 11 appearances for the U.S.. While he was not included in the CONCACAF Gold Cup roster, he was hoping to play a role for the national team at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The typical recovery time for an ACL tear is 6-9 months, putting his participation in the World Cup in jeopardy.
Austin FC won the match against San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw. They are scheduled to play Minnesota on September 16.
