Austin FC Hispanic Heritage Night Celebration in Honor of the US National Hispanic Heritage Month on September 17

The Austin FC Hispanic Heritage Night at its MLS match on September 17 will feature an instrumental performance by the University of Texas mariachi of the U.S. National Anthem, Hispanic-themed graphics, and a member of the Central Texas Latino community leading the Heartbeat as part of a month-long series of activations in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

On August 22, Austin FC and Gillette organized a chance for nine young soccer players from three local high schools (Eastside Memorial, Crockett, and Travis High Schools) to develop relationships with the Verde & Black in honor of the community space barbershops, and specifically Barbon’s Barbershop in East Austin, provide. Every student had the chance to get a free haircut, imitate the fresh cut of their favorite Austin FC player, and spend some time connecting with Emiliano Rigoni and Julio Cascante about life, school, futbol, Hispanic culture, and their aspirations for the future.

Austin FC will recognize four Latino individuals who stand out in our city as part of its continued efforts to develop and celebrate diversity: Community Affairs Manager Jackie Quintero Sekiguchi, Entrepreneur Bessy Martinez, Civic Leader George Morales, and Architect Jon Salinas.

As part of the month-long celebration, Austin FC will also provide Casa Marianella, an Austin non-profit that welcomes displaced immigrants and promotes self-sufficiency by offering refuge and support services, 100% of the revenues from the Verde Store Round-Up Program throughout the month of September. Customers have the option to round their purchases up to the next dollar amount as part of the Verde Store Round-Up program, which benefits the month’s highlighted local non-profit. Additionally, Austin FC will produce a limited-edition shirt honoring Hispanic Heritage Month that will be sold at both Verde Store locations from October 1 to 15 and will support Casa Marianella.

“At Casa Marianella we are excited to receive the support of Austin FC to help us provide shelter and support to homeless immigrants in Austin. Casa Marianella and Austin FC share a value in building community in Austin and we are glad to do this together,” said Patti McCabe, Posada Esperanza Program Director at Casa Marianella.

The third annual Hispanic Heritage Night will be held on September 17 as Austin FC plays Portland Timbers. The Hispanic Heritage theme top, which will also be offered at Verde Store locations starting on September 15, will be worn by Austin FC players before the game. The National Anthem will be performed by Mariachi Voz de Pasión throughout Q2 Stadium, and Hispanic-themed images will be displayed on all digital screens. The Heartbeat of Austin will be performed before the game by Sofia Baltierra of Las Tiarras.

Before the Austin FC vs. DC United match on October 4, Austin FC will conduct a pre-match panel called Mentorship: Una Comunidad Fuerte hosted by Austin Telco from 6 to 6:45 p.m. in PointsBet Sports Bar. A local college campus leader, a Big Brothers, and Big Sisters representative, and a leader of a local non-profit organization will be on the panel, which will focus on the value of mentoring in the community. Telco FCU President Robert Hernandez will also be on the panel. Capitanes Del Futuro, a P&G and MLS initiative focused on developing Hispanic youth leadership, is being activated by Austin FC and 4ATX Foundation. Austin FC’s front staff will be shadowed by students from 4ATX’s Verde Leaders program for the panel discussion. To promote Hispanic leadership, the program collaborates with 10 other MLS clubs.