Austin FC and attacker Cecilio Domínguez have per the club mutually agreed to terminate the Designated Player’s contract, effective immediately.
Domínguez, 27, was signed in 2021 as Austin’s first-ever DP ahead of their debut season in MLS. Amid an investigation into alleged domestic violence, MLS suspended Domínguez on April 8. He ended up missing five games before the league announced that he would be reinstated provided he complied with league-mandated counseling.
However, Austin supporters were not on board, with the Los Verdes supporters group releasing a statement saying they refused to “support Cecilio Domínguez continuing to play for Austin FC” as a response to MLS’s decision. Multiple supporters groups agreed to go silent for 10 minutes in Austin’s first game after the reinstatement, displaying banners supporting anti-domestic violence causes.
Here are the banners held up by @LaMurgaATX @LosVerdesATX @AustinAnthem during the 10-minute pause in the first half. #AustinFC #ATXvLA @SAFEatx
📸 @ttlsports pic.twitter.com/sVwA2OTjWI
— Chris Bils (@ChrisBils) May 9, 2022
MLS’s reinstatement allowed Domínguez to rejoin training, which he did days after the announcement. However, Austin never named him to their matchday squad again, with today’s announcement officially ending his time at the club.
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