FC Cincinnati 2023 Season Preview

Tom Bogert

2023 Schedule

Strength: Let’s not overthink this: Throughout last year’s regular season, Luciano Acosta, Brandon Vazquez and Brenner combined for 46 goals and 33 assists. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Weakness: They conceded 56 goals last year, which was tied for worst among playoff teams. Yes, it got better over the second half of the season once Obinna Nwobodo and Matt Miazga arrived, but it still didn’t look championship-caliber.

Ronald Matarrita: FCC declined the contract option on Costa Rica international left back Ronald Matarrita, who has since signed for Ukraine league leaders SK Dnipro-1. That’s really it for significant departures, as the club held onto star forwards Vazquez and Brenner despite significant bids from abroad. More players left, but none that I’d call “key”.

Marco Angulo: Rising Ecuador international Marco Angulo just missed out on his country’s roster for the World Cup, but moved to Cincy from Independiente del Valle via the U22 Initiative. The 20-year-old defensive midfielder is impactful both in attack with his technical quality and defense with his tenacity and ground covering.
Yerson Mosquera: Young Colombian center back Yerson Mosquera was signed on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The defender was recently a $7 million transfer to England, but hasn’t made his first team debut at the English Premier League side. His talent is undeniable and Cincy hope to help him find that potential.
Santiago Arias: The veteran of two FIFA World Cups and three Copa Américas with his native Colombia should slot into the right wingback in Cincy’s preferred five-man backline. Santiago Arias was last under contract at Spanish top-flight side Atletico Madrid, and he previously won three Eredivisie titles from 2015-18 at PSV. The 31-year-old arrived on a free transfer.
Full roster