This is one in a series of team previews preparing fans for the 2023 MLS season. Check out the full list; teams will be revealed in predicted order of finish from Feb. 10-24.
What FC Cincinnati did last year
They sure didn’t win the Wooden Spoon, I’ll tell you that.
The Knifey Lions found themselves trotting out one of the most dangerous attacking trios in the league thanks to the emergence of Brandon Vazquez as one of the league’s best strikers and Brenner’s second-half heater that finally showed why Cincy paid so much for him in the first place. Lucho Acosta put up MVP numbers behind them and Cincinnati straight up torched teams in head coach Pat Noonan’s first year.
Unfortunately, their defense didn’t quite live up to the same standard, especially not at the beginning of the year. Eventually, though, they added center back Matt Miazga and DP midfielder Obinna Nwobodo and things leveled out a bit. Enough to make the playoffs as a fifth seed, beat New York on the road and take a stacked Philadelphia team to the wire. They’re a hot pick to win MLS Cup and for good reason. Yes, FC Cincinnati. We’re talking about FC Cincinnati.
Key additions
Midfielder Marco Angulo (transfer from Independiente del Valle), wingback Santiago Arias (signing), Yerson Mosquera (loan from Wolves), midfielder Malik Pinto (signing)
Key departures
Defender Geoff Cameron (option declined), midfielder Allan Cruz (option declined), forward Calvin Harris (trade to Colorado), defender Ronald Matarrita (option declined)
Making the case for FC Cincinnati
They’ve kept nearly everyone from last seasons’s excellent squad, they’re primed for a year two bump under Noonan, and additions like center back Yerson Mosquera, wingback Santiago Arias and U22 midfielder Marco Angulo should make this team deeper and more effective defensively. Considering they don’t have to deal with any extra competitions like Philadelphia does, it’s fair to see why some folks are picking them to finish ahead of the Union this year.
They’re going to score a ton. Maybe more than anyone. The question now is if that defense really can do enough to grab points at the consistent level they couldn’t quite find for much of last year.
Players to watch
You know about the attacking group, so I want to make sure you know about Obi Nwobodo. He’s an outstanding, ball-winning, ball-progressing midfielder set to be one of the better midfielders in the league this year. He’ll play a critical role in Cincy’s success this year. He may just be the key to all of it, to be honest. Keep an eye on him in a Cincinnati game this year and you’ll get why I’m so excited about him, I promise.
A nerdy tidbit
Acosta, Vazquez and Brenner averaged 18.91 xG+xA between them. 18.91 xG+xA would have been the fifth most in MLS last season.
A fun tidbit
The 2019 and 2021 Cincy teams produced a combined 65 goals over the course of two full seasons. Last year’s group scored 60 times.
Projected finish
2nd in the East
They can do this. As long as everyone hangs around for the year anyway. That’s not a given, with teams seeking out Vazquez and Brenner pretty consistently, but Cincy should be well aware that they have something special building here. It might be worth it to hold onto everyone through the season regardless of what offers they get.
The expectations are deservedly high. Now we just have to see if they can handle them.