Austin FC star striker Brandon Vazquez left Tuesday's US Open Cup quarterfinal win at the San Jose Earthquakes on a stretcher after suffering a non-contact injury.
Vazquez crumbled to the pitch when his right foot planted awkwardly on a stepover, and appeared to break out in tears as he was stretchered off the field in the 72nd minute and replaced by Žan Kolmanič.
The 26-year-old USMNT striker is in his debut season with Austin, posting 9g/1a across all competitions since arriving from LIGA MX's CF Monterrey for a then-club-record fee. Four of those goals have come in the USOC, including a 65th-minute penalty kick strike that leveled the score for Verde & Black in their eventual 4-2 PK shootout win at PayPal Park.
Vazquez was named to the 2025 MLS All-Star roster as one of two Austin FC representatives - along with goalkeeper Brad Stuver - for the marquee summer event that will take place at their home venue of Q2 Stadium on July 23 (9 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
Additionally, Vazquez is one of four nominees to wear the captain's armband for the MLS All-Stars, who'll take on the best of LIGA MX for the second straight year.
