2023 MLS Regular Season Record: 20W - 9D - 5L
Key Takeaways from 2023
What I said last winter:
They excelled in the winter transfer window after their first ever playoff appearance
Even if Brenner leaves during the summer and the team stays healthy, they have positioned themselves as contenders for the Supporters’ Shield
What happened:
Brenner did leave, but they brought in a replacement, Aaron Boupendza
They won the Supporters’ Shield (called it!) and nearly set a new league points record
Lucho Acosta was crowned league MVP
The eventual MLS Cup Champions, the Columbus Crew, eliminated them from the playoffs in a match of epic proportions
Champions
FC Cincinnati's days as MLS' laughing stock have faded from the memories of most or remain unknown to the influx of new fans drawn in by Messi. While I could dissect what went wrong in a few spots, overall, the season went exceptionally well.
The Orange and Blue predominantly lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Brandon Vazquez partnering with another striker. Lucho Acosta served as the focal point in creating chances, but the attack was also complimented by fullbacks with excellent shot-creation/taking ability playing higher up the pitch.
The club created the most chances in the league and almost missed the most as well. It's not a bad predicament when coupled with maintaining a high scoring rate, which they certainly achieved, securing the fourth-highest goal count.
Their Goals - Expected Goals mark was slightly negative. The primary contributor to their negative tally was Brandon Vazquez. The striker struggled with his shot-taking more this season, recording 8 goals compared to the expected 11.8.
In terms of possession, the club performed well with getting their opponents to turn the ball over. This compliments their preference for fast counter-attacking when the opponent may be out of position or still in transition to defending. Not pictured here is their rate of winning tackles, which ranked seventh in the league.
Young goalkeeper Roman Celentano kept the net almost the entire season, boasting a respectable 70% save rate while allowing the sixth-fewest goals. Yet, credit for this also goes to their solid back line, marshaled by center-backs Matt Miazga and Yerson Mosquera, who made Celentano's job between the posts considerably easier.
In post-shot expected goals, Celentano fell slightly below expectations. So, there is room for improvement in his shot-stopping ability.
Throughout the season, Cincinnati's knack for generating opportunities from any player on the field was captivating. Álvaro Barreal and Acosta both exhibited prowess in set-piece execution, effortlessly placing the ball in the upper corners of the goal. While Cincinnati’s starting strikers varied due to international break and injuries, it consistently posed a significant threat. Additionally, their towering backline excelled in finding space to convert headers from set-piece opportunities.
And, honestly, Lucho Acosta’s performance this year was in a league of its own. Some of the goals he scored or created were incredible. I was present for one against Atlanta, and all I could think is… “HOW!?”
Despite the loss to Columbus in the conference finals, Cincinnati should and are calling this season a gigantic success. While they'll need to address some positions in the upcoming season, given their remarkable roster-building performance last year, I'm confident that General Manager Chris Albright will either replicate or even surpass those achievements.
Top Sorare Fantasy Performers
Goalkeeper: Roman Celentano | L15: 48 | 60+ pts games: 16 | Clean sheets: 14 | Penalties saved: 0
Defender: Santiago Arias | L15: 55 | 60+ pts games: 10 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 1 | Clean sheets: 4
Midfielder: Lucho Acosta | L15: 68 | 60+ pts games: 24 | Goals: 20 | Assists: 13
Forward: Brandon Vazquez | L15: 45 | 60+ pts games: 13 | Goals: 13 | Assists: 2
Extra: Álvaro Barreal | L15: 55 | 60+ pts games: 18 | Goals: 7 | Assists: 8
2024 Outlook
Last Updated 2/4/2024
GIF Rating:
Outgoing Players
Santiago Arias - Right-back - Option Declined (in talks with club for new contract)
Dominique Badji - Centre-forward - Option Declined (in talks with club for new contract)
Ray Gaddis - Right-back - Option Declined
Junior Moreno - Defensive Midfielder - Out of Contract (in talks with club for new contract)
Yerson Mosquera - Centre-back - Loan expired (in talks with club for new deal)
Harrison Robledo - Defensive Midfielder - Out of Contract
Brandon Vazquez - Centre-forward - Transfer to Monterrey Rayados for $8.5m
Incoming Players
Kipp Keller - Centre-back - Signed as a free agent
Miles Robinson - Centre-back - Signed as a free agent
Corey Baird - Centre-forward - Signed as a free agent
Rumor Mill
Luca Orellano - Winger - Loan for 2024 season
Champions Cup
The starting 11 for FC Cincinnati is murky going into the winter transfer window. Junior Moreno and Santi Arias are no longer with the club, and Brandon Vazquez is now playing in Liga MX after a $8.5m transfer to Monterrey. The club, however, was able to hold onto Álvaro Barreal for this transfer window as a move to Europe never panned out for the wingback.
They also managed to sign USMNT centre-back Miles Robinson as a free agent and on a non-DP deal. This is an immense singing for their backline as Miles is heralded as one of the best one-on-one defenders in MLS. It’s a one year deal with an option, but a few reporters like Doug Roberson have pointed out it may be to offer a DP contract after the first year. He was after that type of money with Atlanta.
As it stands, Cincinnati still need to find a replacement for Moreno at midfield and a new right wingback. Alvas Powell could fill the wingback role, or maybe rumored signing Luca Orellano who is more of a winger, but I’d expect Orellano to be utilized as a CAM or forward.
Overall, this group appears as solid as last year and should challenge for silverware again in 2024.
Projected Starting Lineup
Nick Hagglund is out for the first few weeks, but this is the “preferred” starting 11 for Cincinnati I think.