Austin, Texas – The road to securing the city's first professional league sports team was bumpy, but Austin FC fans aren't concerned with the past as they strive to create their own future and traditions in support of the expansion team.

When a new idea comes around, it usually gets challenged. Such was the case for the city's new Major League Soccer team, Austin FC, and their long journey to finding its home in the city.

At one point, creating the Austin FC expansion team wasn't even on the table. In 2017, the operator of Columbus Crew SC in Ohio, Precourt Sports Ventures, shared its desire to move the team to Austin.

But in 2018, the owners of the Cleveland Browns stepped in to purchase Columbus Crew SC so that the team could stay in Ohio.

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Precourt Sports Ventures then made a deal with the City of Austin to fund and build what is now Q2 stadium, Austin FC's home field.

The club and the city had to fight through numerous petitions that aimed to stop the construction of the arena. Ultimately, they all failed, which the local soccer fans are eternally grateful for.

One of the team's early supporters, James Vinson, told TAG24: "Watching the council meetings feels so far away now, and us almost having our first match in Austin is just insane."

But with a new team comes the need to create new traditions, and Austin FC fans continue to prove they're up for the task.

Meanwhile, the big day is getting closer. Austin FC will play its first ever home game on June 19. But just because fans haven't been able to fill the stadium yet doesn't mean they haven't been warming up for the experience.

Support groups like Austin Anthem, Los Verdes, and Oak Army New Braunfels have all been holding meetings, game-day events, and watch parties while starting a new culture from the ground up.

Scott Specht, a member of the Los Verdes support group, told TAG24: "I don’t think people are ready for what’s going to happen and the kind of atmosphere we are going to have [at Q2]."

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Even though members haven't stepped foot into the stadium for a live game, Los Verdes have already created their first ritual at watch parties: the "Verde Chair". It came to be at Hopsquad Brewing Co. where the group meets to take in the games. Because the brewery doesn't have ample outdoor seating, fans bring their own lawn chairs to watch and cheer on Austin FC.

Whenever a goal is scored or a match is won – the team already have two MLS victories on the board – the green chairs are lifted into the air and everyone chants, dances, and celebrates together in one big happy mosh pit.

This chair has now become such a staple of the club's support that it will soon be featured as lapel pins.

Soccer just wouldn't be soccer without chants, songs, and music, and that's the environment La Murga de Austin, another Austin FC fan group, wants to create.

The group's Twitter bio describes them as, "Musicians & soccer supporters who build community through music & fútbol." These are the people behind the chants, the songs, and the overall match day atmosphere.

On Tuesday, members of La Murga went to the stadium to practice their chants in preparation for June 19. The chants they've created aren't just for them – they're for everyone to sing along to.

Austin Anthem's website notes how vital chants are at games and for the growth of the club.

It says, "As we build our traditions, we want to ensure that our songs and chants reflect the diversity of Austin’s musical and soccer background. We’ll have printed and online versions available for the Supporter Section – and beyond!"

Shawn Collins, an early advocate for Austin to get an MLS team, attended his first in-person game ever when he travelled to Denver and witnessed Austin FC defeat the Colorado Rapids, claiming their first victory as a franchise.

"I was blown away by the impact of Los Verdes in Denver and I can't imagine the home field advantage we all give the team as we chant and sing to the music from La Murga de Austin," Collins said.

As fans create their own traditions and learn new chants to support Austin FC, families, like Collins', are hoping to make other traditions of their own.

When season tickets went on sale, Collins was quick to secure four tickets for him and his family. He grew up playing soccer with his dad and attending games, a relationship he now hopes to have with his own son.

"Now that I have kids and my son is playing on a travel team and soon to play in high school, I am so excited to start this next chapter of going to games with him and sharing Austin FC with him," Collins said.

To the supporters of Austin FC, the long wait was worth it. Far from just a hobby, this is now a huge part of their lives – and they plan to make it loud!