AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Bold FC will face competition on and off the pitch in suddenly a soccer-rich community. 

Soon Bold FC will have to battle for the hearts, minds and dollars of Austin soccer fans against Austin FC, the Major League Soccer team.

Last week, Austin FC officially made their entrance in to MLS set to join the league in 2021. However, Bold FC isn’t waiting that long, starting practice this week with the season underway at the beginning of March.

All of the sudden there’s a lot of soccer in the Austin space, but the addition doesn’t phase the Bold.

“I learn a lot from competition on the business side, what they do wrong or right,” said Bold FC Head Coach Marcelo Serrano said.

Bold FC, playing in the tier two level United Soccer League, will play its home games at a Circuit of the Americas stadium that’s still in the building phase.

The USL and Bold FC are geared more toward the professional developmental side, working and training the future stars of the sport.

“It’s huge, I mean it gives the kids something to look up to and eventually play at the next level,” said forward Kris Tyrpak.

Austin-born Sonny Guadarrama is coming from San Antonio FC excited for the opportunity of playing at home.

“If someone were to ask me, what would my dream be growing up, it would be to play professional soccer here in Austin. I think now that it’s a reality, I’m looking forward to it, I can’t wait until March 30 to be playing here,” Guadarrama said.

Austin Bold FC will begin its season on the road at Las Vegas Lights FC on March 9. The home opener is March 30 against San Antonio FC.