Enemy Scouting Report - FC Cincinnati
(image via Tony Quinn-USA TODAY Sports)
Each week we’re going to be taking a look at the Dynamo opposition a few different ways. We’ll have questions and answers with writers that cover the teams and we’ll have an enemy scouting report. Now, the other teams in MLS aren’t really enemies (ok, most of them aren’t) but it’s a catchy title, right? Let’s get right into the first one of 2023.
The 2023 MLS season officially kicks off for the Houston Dynamo this Saturday night as they travel to FC Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati had a rough start to its Major League Soccer history as they won back-to-back-to-back Wooden Spoon awards. That is right, Cincinnati ended in last place in their first 3 seasons in the league. Talk about an unwanted three-peat. However, last season, The Orange and Blue climbed up the table and finished fifth in the Eastern Conference, earning their first ever playoff appearance.
FC Cincinnati’s success had a lot to do with the great performances by Brenner, Brandon Vazquez, and Luciano Acosta. The young Brazilian forward, Brenner, found the back of the net 18 times and assisted 6 other goals. Newly minted USMNT striker Brandon Vazquez had a career year, scoring 18 goals and adding 8 assists in 2022. Argentine veteran Luciano Acosta posted 10 goals and 19 assists during the regular season last year. The ridiculous numbers put up by these guys attracted plenty of suiters. LigaMX side Chivas de Guadalajara came knocking for Vazquez, just to have their bid decline by Cincinnati. There were also rumors that Nottingham Forrest of the English Premier League was very close to signing Brenner in January, just for the deal to fall through. Reports claimed that Brenner was not at all happy with FC Cincinnati’s front office during the process. This makes you wonder how committed Brenner will be at the start of the season. The three players mentioned here are the players that the Dynamo will need to contain on Saturday night for a favorable result to begin the new season.
FC Cincinnati Preseason Record: 3W-2L-0D
January 27 – Cincinnati 3, Austin 2
February 1 – Cincinnati 3, University of South Florida 0
February 10 – Cincinnati 1, New England 3
February 14 – Cincinnati 4, New England 0
February 17 – Cincinnati 3, Nashville 6* - Game ended 3-3, but an additional 30 minutes were played with subs.
Projected Staring XI (from MLSsoccer.com)
There will likely be some variation but look to see many of the players in the graphic starting.
2023 Active Roster
Goalkeepers: Alec Kann, Evan Louro, Roman Celentano, Paul Walters
Defenders: Santiago Arias, Nick Hagglund, Alvas Powell, Ray Gaddis, Matt Miazga, Ian Murphy, Isaiah Foster, Yerson Mosquera, Joey Akpunonu
Midfielders: Luciano Acosta, Junior Moreno, Alvaro Barreal, Obinna Nwobodo, Marco Angulo, Malik Pinto, Stiven Jimenez
Forwards: Dominique Badji, Brandon Vazquez, Sergio Santos, Arquimides Ordonez, Yuya Kubo, Brenner
Can the Houston Dynamo find a result in a sold out TQL Stadium?
