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| Photo courtesy of Austin FC |
“I can’t wait to step out on the field at Q2 Stadium and represent both Austin FC and the community as a whole,” said Zardes. “I love the way Austin FC plays, and look forward to working with Claudio, Josh, and the rest of the team. This is a special moment for my family and me.”
Zardes joins Austin FC as one of the most accomplished forwards in MLS history. Since entering the league in 2013, he has made 267 regular season appearances during stints with the LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew, and Colorado Rapids, scoring 97 goals and registering 25 assists. His goal tally ranks 13th-most in league history.
Zardes was a key member of two MLS Cup-winning teams, scoring 16 goals in 2014 to help the Galaxy lift the trophy and contributing 12 goals in 2020 as Columbus won the title. He was voted an MLS All-Star in 2015, and the MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 after scoring a single-season career best 19 goals while working with Josh Wolff, who coached Zardes as an assistant with Columbus Crew.
“We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Gyasi and his family to Austin, and we’re excited to add a player and person of his quality to our roster,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna. “Gyasi has one of the most impressive resumés of any striker to have played in MLS and brings excellent goal-scoring and leadership to the team.”
A frequent member of the U.S. Men’s National Team since his debut in 2015, Zardes has 68 senior international appearances with the Stars-and-Stripes to his name. He has scored 14 goals at the international level, with his most recent an 86th-minute game-winner for the USMNT against Qatar at Q2 Stadium in the semifinal of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Zardes was a member of the USMNT squads that won the Gold Cup in 2017 and 2021.
“Having worked with Gyasi in the past, I couldn’t be more excited to have him join the team here in Austin,” said Austin FC Head Coach Josh Wolff. “His quality, humility, and work ethic as a striker fit our system well, and it’s fantastic to add another player with his level of MLS success to our locker room.”
Born in Hawthorne, California, Zardes played in the LA Galaxy academy system and collegiately at Cal State Bakersfield before beginning his professional career.
