Source: MLS in Austin is a matter of when, not if

Exactly one year after Major League Soccer in Austin became a known possibility, the league’s arrival appears more likely than ever. A source with knowledge of the situation told the American-Statesman, “There is certainty that the club is coming and is coming no later than 2021.”

However, the arrival of Austin FC will happen in a manner different from how it was originally conceived. On Friday, MLS announced that it is closing in on a deal that would keep Columbus Crew SC in Ohio and send a new Anthony Precourt-operated franchise to the Texas capital.

“The only thing (being discussed) is what’s the optimum time to launch the club in Austin,” the source said. “I don’t think it impacts what’s been agreed to in Austin or the league’s excitement or enthusiasm, or the stadium, or anything like that.”

Another source close to the discussions said that a 2019 launch has "not been ruled out yet."

As for whether the players and technical staff will remain in Columbus, the most likely scenario if an agreement is completed in Columbus, the source said that also has not yet been determined. The prospective ownership group led by Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam "needs to close a deal with MLS and PSV does need to close the lease with the city. Neither are done yet.”

Precourt announced Oct. 17, 2017, that he was exploring moving the Columbus franchise to Austin, provided he could find a suitable stadium site. On Aug. 15, the Austin City Council voted 7-4 in favor of a deal for construction of a 20,000-seat, privately funded stadium near the Domain.

City officials remain in negotiations to finalize the deal with Precourt Sports Ventures, and the talks are on track to be completed in December.

RELATED: Stadium negotiations on track for December completion

“From the city of Austin’s perspective this does not change the terms of the ongoing negotiations between the city and Precourt Sports Ventures,” city spokesman David Green said in a statement Friday. “We look forward to bringing Major League Soccer and the community benefits that come with it to Austin and working with PSV on making that a reality.”

Friday’s news prompted various reactions from the Austin political and soccer communities, including among the City Council members.

"I was kind of surprised, but when I heard they aren't just going to pick up and leave, I'm encouraged that they're going to bring in another expansion (team),” said Council Member Pio Renteria, a supporter of the stadium deal. “So they’re still on with the same plan, and as far as I know they're still going to build the stadium. I'll be keeping my eyes out on that one."

Council Member Leslie Pool, who voted against the stadium agreement and traveled to Columbus to visit with Crew fans in the days leading up to the final vote, called for the city to halt negotiations and solicit alternative proposals for developing the proposed stadium site.

"Let's redouble our efforts here at home to respond to legitimate taxpayer concerns about the subsidized deal,” Pool said in a statement she posted on Facebook. “We should solicit proposals for developing McKalla and rework a stadium deal that is fair to all stakeholders.”

The stadium issue has become a political lightning rod during campaign season. Supporters, such as Mayor Steve Adler, point to the deal as favorable in comparison with others around the country and say it will provide a unifying public venue on land that went unused for decades.

Opponents say the arrangement is too favorable to Precourt, since he will not pay property taxes at a time when the city faces affordability issues, and are upset that it came about without a public vote.

Adler called Friday’s news a “wonderful win/win/win solution!” while his main opponent in the upcoming election, Laura Morrison, called for a halt to negotiations.

“Now is the time to end this backroom deal and allow a true community-driven process to determine the best use of the McKalla taxpayer-owned land,” Morrison said in a statement.

IndyAustin, a political action committee that helped nix CodeNext, has begun a petition drive to challenge the stadium deal.

Meanwhile, soccer fans in the city remain optimistic that MLS in Austin is a matter of when, not if. Josh Babetski, founder of the recently renamed Austin Anthem supporters group, reacted positively to the news that the Crew are staying in Columbus.

“It’s more of a clean break,” he said. “It’s a clean team coming to Austin rather than a moved Columbus team. The club gets to stay there, and if we would have to wait a little bit longer for what’s best for soccer overall, I don’t see that as a bad thing.”

And while fans in Columbus were celebrating the success of “Save the Crew,” brothers Alec and Kevin Hernandez from Canton, Ohio, found themselves in an unlikely position as word started to spread Friday. They were seen waving a “#SaveTheCrew” banner at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

“I’m really happy for the city of Columbus,” Kevin Hernandez said. “This is a huge, huge victory for them that the team is going to be able to stay. There’s a lot of passion with the Crew.”

And while that passion gets to stay in Columbus, the seeds can begin to grow in Austin.

“If it takes until 2021 to get it right, then we’d rather wait,” Babetski said.

Staff writer Elizabeth Findell contributed to this report.