In 2022, with the chance to finally prove himself at FC Cincinnati’s starting striker, Brandon Vázquez had himself a season.
18 goals. Eight assists. An MLS All-Star selection. Three MLS Team of the Week nods. And, perhaps most importantly from a team standpoint, dramatically moving the team from three straight Wooden Spoons1 in its first three MLS seasons to its first-ever playoff appearance. FCC, under Philadelphia Union-developed head coach Pat Noonan and general manager Chris Albright, dramatically changed the team’s fortunes by getting the right mix of players in and coaching them well.
They eventually lost to the Union in the conference semifinals that year. But after three years of abject misery, getting that far was a godsend for Knifey Lion2 and its spirted fans.
In 2023, Vázquez had a comparative downturn from 2022, but still managed eight goals and four assists in a wildly successful campaign. FCC won the Supporters’ Shield and got to the conference finals, losing a heartbreaker to their rivals from Columbus.
But it was still a remarkable two-year arc for Vázquez, starting his pro career with Tijuana in 2016 as a 17-year-old, making his MLS debut with Atlanta United in its first season at age 18. He’s played 144 MLS games and scored 35 MLS goals — getting nearly 75% of his total MLS goals in that pair of seasons.
Then, nearly a year ago (on Jan. 10, 2024, to be exact), Vázquez moved to CF Monterrey in an unusual (but not entirely unheard of) MLS-to-Liga-MX transfer. At the time, Albright said via press release, “He was a centerpiece of the team that brought FC Cincinnati its first trophy, and he’ll forever be part of the fabric of this club. He’s an incredibly talented player and an even better person, and we look forward to his future success.”
What a difference a year makes.
As you’re likely aware by now, Vázquez appears poised to part ways with his Liga MX club, initially rumored to be going to Bruce Arena’s San Jose Earthquakes. If he lands at Austin FC, he’d likely be the first-ever Austin FC striker to score double-digit goals in a 34-game season.3
We’ve already been burned by one presumably “sure to happen” rumor this offseason — Fafà Picault looked as if he’d be joining Austin FC before Inter Miami swooped in late with an enticing offer (Messi + Miami) — so this could all be for naught even though it became closer to reality during the evening I’ve split between playing Farting Frenchies with family4 and writing this tome.
With the team’s latest signing, Ilie Sánchez, already decently discussed, it’s time to learn more about Vázquez.
To the charts!
