CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP
Brandon Vazquez return adds “excitement” to FC Cincinnati - Monterrey clash
The USMNT forward lifted the Supporters’ Shield with Cincinnati last year and now returns to TQL Stadium in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Brandon Vazquez has made a lightening-quick start to life with Monterrey. The 25-year-old has scored five goals in eight Liga MX games since moving from FC Cincinnati in January, helping his new team to the top of the table.
His four-year spell with Cincinnati culminated with the Supporters’ Shield triumph in 2023 and he left as the club’s record goalscorer. Now, just two months after he moved south of the border, Vazquez returns to TQL Stadium for a CONCACAF Champions Cup knock-out clash.
“He’s a good friend of mine. In Cincinnati, in the soccer world, but also in life. We spent some good time together,” FCC defender Matt Miazga said ahead of Thursday’s game.
“In soccer it’s easy to make friends, but people come and go so quickly. So there’s certain guys you make lifelong friends with and I think he’s one of them for me, and I like to think the same with him,” Miazga added. “But on the field, we’re not going to be friends at all. I won’t talk to him before we get on to the pitch.”
Miazga was named MLS Defender of the Year in 2023 and will likely be going head-to-head against Vazquez. Cincinnati have made an unbeaten start this season but their first major test of 2024 comes against the Rayados on Thursday. Keeping Vazquez quiet will be a key focus, both for Cincy and for Miazga.
Pat Noonan excited for the return of Brandon Vazquez
Cincinnati were streets ahead of the rest in the 2023 regular season but fell just short in the playoffs, losing to eventual MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference final. Vazquez opened the scoring against the Crew but a three-goal swing in the visitors’ favour broke Cincinnati hearts in extra-time.
Now, the roster strengthened with the likes of Miles Robinson and Corey Baird, Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan is targeting further success in 2024. They were the most consistent team across 2023 but struggled to find the extra gear in those crucial moments in knock-out competition. The Monterrey games give Cincy the opportunity to test themselves against one of the continent’s best teams.
“We get a top club in Liga MX. They’ve been a top club for quite some time, and obviously now with the addition of a former FC Cincinnati player with Brandon, it adds to a little bit of the excitement in the conversation around that game,” Noonan said ahead of the match.
“It’s great for our club to be now observed in more than just league play and our cup competitions domestically. We get to challenge ourselves against the best in the region and I think we’re excited about the opportunity.”
Vazquez has already scored in this season’s CONCACAF Champions Cup and will be desperate to show his former team what they’re missing.
DeAndre Yedlin addition provides boost for Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati have a number of elite MLS players, including Miazga, Aaron Boupendza and 2023 league MVP Luciano Acosta. But going into the new season they looked, particularly given the loss of Vazquez, a little short of experienced leaders.
Cincy have sought to address that and earlier this week announced the signing of wing-back DeAndre Yedlin from Inter Miami. Yedlin starred in MLS for Seattle Sounders before spending eight years in Europe, playing for the likes of Newcastle United and Turkish giants Galatasaray. He adds real experience as well as on-field energy to the Cincinnati squad and general manager Chris Albright was full of praise for the new signing.
Albright said of Yedlin: “[He is] a player whose quality, experience, athleticism and leadership are all welcome additions to our team. But one thing that kept coming back when we did our homework, speaking to players, coaches and teammates on DeAndre is the person, the character, the father, the son.”
“All the things that we really value, we think, are just going to be invaluable to our group.”
Yedlin tasted MLS-Liga MX success last year as part of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup-winning campaign. His experience could be crucial if FC Cincinnati are to progress further in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and deny Brandon Vazquez a happy return to Ohio later this week.