Brandon Vázquez Explained

Brandon Vázquez
Full Name:Brandon Vázquez Toledo[1]
Birth Date:October 14, 1998[2]
Birth Place:Chula Vista, California, United States
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Monterrey
Clubnumber:9
Youthyears1:2013–2016
Youthclubs1:Tijuana
Years1:2016
Clubs1:Tijuana
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2017–2019
Clubs2:Atlanta United
Caps2:32
Goals2:3
Years3:2018–2019
Clubs3:Atlanta United 2
Caps3:12
Goals3:5
Years4:2020–2023
Clubs4:FC Cincinnati
Caps4:112
Goals4:32
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Monterrey
Caps5:21
Goals5:6
Nationalyears1:2014–2015
Nationalteam1:United States U17
Nationalcaps1:15
Nationalgoals1:6
Nationalyears2:2016
Nationalteam2:United States U19
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2016
Nationalteam3:United States U20
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2023–
Nationalteam4:United States
Nationalcaps4:8
Nationalgoals4:4
Club-Update:July 14, 2024
Nationalteam-Update:July 12, 2023

Brandon Vázquez Toledo (born October 14, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Liga MX club Monterrey and the United States national team.

Club career

Atlanta United

Vázquez signed with Major League Soccer expansion club Atlanta United in December 2016 ahead of their inaugural season.

On April 22, 2017, Vázquez played in his first competitive MLS match, coming on as a substitute against Real Salt Lake and scoring a goal in the final minute of stoppage time.[3] [4]

In his first two seasons with the club, under manager Tata Martino, Vázquez was deployed as a winger rather than his natural position of leading the line as a striker. As a reserve, Vázquez made 21 appearances and scored one goal over those two seasons, culminating with Atlanta winning the MLS Cup title in 2018.

After scoring 4 goals in his previous 2 games, Vázquez earned his first MLS Start on June 26, 2019, in a 2–3 defeat to Toronto FC.[5]

FC Cincinnati

On November 19, 2019, Vázquez was selected by Nashville SC in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft. He was subsequently traded to FC Cincinnati in exchange for $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.[6]

After mainly appearing as a substitute, Vázquez made his breakthrough in the 2022 season and new manager Pat Noonan. Vázquez opened the season as the undisputed starter for the first time in his career.[7] After two poor results, Cincinnati took down Orlando City SC with a 2–1 victory on the strength of his brace. The first goal was a well-taken finish after a perfectly timed cutting run between the centre-backs, the second a redirected header off a cross.[8] The following week, Vázquez registered another brace and added an assist in a 3–1 win over Inter Miami.[9] In the 24th minute, he rose to win a cross, beating the defenders and goalkeeper to the ball. His insurance goal, another header, sealed back-to-back victories for Cincinnati.[10] Brandon Vazquez has already set the record for the most goals in a single season in FC Cincinnati history.[11] On August 3, Vázquez was selected for the 2022 MLS All-Star game as a replacement for striker Valentín Castellanos who was loaned by NYCFC to LaLiga side Girona FC after making the original 2022 roster.[12] Vázquez became the second FC Cincinnati player to ever be selected for an MLS All-Star roster, after attacking-midfielder teammate Luciano Acosta had already been chosen for the 2022 matchup against Liga MX All-Stars.[13]

Monterrey

On January 10, 2024, Vázquez joined Liga MX club Monterrey on a four-year deal.[14] [15] On March 7, he scored against his former club, FC Cincinnati, in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

International career

Born in the United States, Vázquez was eligible to play for Mexico. He represented the United States at the youth level, but had also been called up by Mexico.[16] [17]

He was part of the United States U17 squad for the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship,[18] playing in four games in the tournament.[19] [20] [21] [22]

Vázquez was then named to the United States squad for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[23] He played in two of the three group stage games, scoring against Croatia U17 and Chile U17 as the team finished last in their group and failed to advance from the group stage.[24] [25]

He has also played for the United States at the under-19 and under-20 levels.[26] [27]

Vazquez was called into the US senior national team's January Camp in 2023, which did not tie him to an international side.[28] Vazquez remained uncommitted, stating "nothing has changed [regarding his commitment at the international level]. Last year I was doing everything possible that I could control to give myself the best opportunity to get into the [US] World Cup roster... Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way, but you have to shake it off and start all over again. That is exactly what I am doing now, start fresh, with a lot of energy and a lot of excitement to be here."[29] Vázquez made his senior debut and start in an international friendly match against Serbia on January 25, 2023, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. He headed the lone US goal of the match via an assist from former club teammate Julian Gressel in the 29th minute of the match.[30]

Vazquez made his competitive debut for the US at the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the opening group stage match, Vazquez scored a late equalizer to salvage a 1-1 draw for the US versus Jamaica.[31] Vazquez scored against Trinidad & Tobago in a 6-0 rout, tallying the final goal. In his first ever Gold Cup knockout stage match, Vazquez scored an 88th minute go-ahead headed goal versus Canada.[32] Vazquez later missed his penalty shootout attempt, although the US rallied to defeat Canada at TQL Stadium to advance to the semi-finals.[33]

Personal life

Vázquez married Jessica Fleck, whom he began dating during his second MLS season with Atlanta United.[34]

Career statistics

Club

[35]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tijuana2016–17Liga MX1010
Atlanta United2017MLS13122153
20188020100
201911234146
Total32376399
Atlanta United 22018USL6262
2019USL6363
Total125125
FC Cincinnati2020MLS192192
2021314314
2022331810213619
20232984335414017
Total1123253356212642
Monterrey2023–24Liga MX196842710
2024–250000
Total19684002710
Career totals175461391196220566

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States202384
Total84

Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Vazquez's goal.

List of international goals scored by Brandon Vasquez
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 January 25, 2023 BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, United States 1 1–0 1–2 Friendly
2 June 24, 2023 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States 4 1–1 1–1 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup
3 July 2, 2023 Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, United States 6 6–0 6–0 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup
4 July 9, 2023 TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, United States 7 1–0 2–2
(3–2)
2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honors

Atlanta United

2018

2019

FC Cincinnati

2023[36]

Individual

2022

2022[37]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Adrián Ramos y Brandon Vázquez Debutaron Con Tijuana. . . June 13, 2018 . Spanish . August 17, 2016.
  2. Web site: Brandon Vazquez. . January 26, 2023.
  3. News: Vazquez with dream debut for Atlanta United. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . May 11, 2018. Roberson . Doug .
  4. Web site: Recap: Real Salt Lake vs. Atlanta United FC 04/23/2017 | Matchcenter.
  5. Web site: Atlanta United's Brandon Vazquez to make first MLS start vs. Toronto FC. Pro Soccer USA. 19 July 2019. July 19, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190719165844/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/atlanta-united-fc/brandon-vazquez-atlanta-united-striker/. dead.
  6. Web site: 2019 Expansion Draft results: Inter Miami, Nashville SC make their picks . 19 November 2019.
  7. Web site: Brennan . Pat . FC Cincinnati: How Brandon Vazquez played with U.S. MNT manager Gregg Berhalter watching . The Enquirer . 13 June 2022 . 17 May 2022.
  8. Web site: Sigal . Jonathan . "It's a huge relief": FC Cincinnati snap lengthy losing streak behind Brandon Vazquez brace MLSSoccer.com . MLS . 13 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220403191002/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/it-s-a-huge-relief-fc-cincinnati-snap-lengthy-losing-streak-behind-brandon-vazqu . 3 April 2022 . 13 March 2022 . live.
  9. News: FC Cincinnati wins again as Vazquez's brace beats Miami . 13 June 2022 . ESPN . 19 March 2022.
  10. News: Joseph . Brendan . SSFC Spotlight: Brandon Vazquez leads MLS scoring table . 13 June 2022 . Stars and Stripes FC . 14 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220510052713/https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2022/4/14/23023915/brandon-vazquez-major-league-soccer-fc-cincinnati-mexico-usmnt-usa-united-states-striker-el-tri . 10 May 2022.
  11. Web site: Pablo Bayona Sapag . Brandon Vazquez — clubeleven . Clubelevenmag.com . 2022-07-26 . 2022-08-04.
  12. Web site: mlssoccer . Brandon Vazquez added to MLS All-Star Game roster as Taty Castellanos' replacement MLSSoccer.com . 2022-08-07 . mlssoccer . en.
  13. Web site: fccincinnati . Luciano Acosta named 2022 MLS All-Star FC Cincinnati . 2022-08-08 . fccincinnati . en.
  14. Web site: ¡Bienvenido a Rayados, Brandon Vazquez!. Club de Fútbol Monterrey. es. 10 January 2024.
  15. Web site: FC Cincinnati transfer forward Brandon Vazquez to CF Monterrey. Football Club Cincinnati. 10 January 2024.
  16. Web site: INTERNATIONAL XOLOITZCUINTLES. www.xolosacademy.com. May 11, 2018.
  17. Web site: Digging Deeper: What does Brandon Vazquez bring Atlanta United?. December 2, 2016 . May 11, 2018.
  18. Web site: RICHIE WILLIAMS NAMES 20-PLAYER ROSTER FOR 2015 CONCACAF U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP . . June 13, 2018 . February 24, 2015.
  19. Web site: Group A Leader U-17 MNT Blanks Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 at 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship . . June 13, 2018 . March 2, 2015.
  20. Web site: U-17 MNT Rolls Past Guatemala 4-1 at CONCACAF U-17 Championship . . June 13, 2018 . March 5, 2015.
  21. Web site: U-17 MNT Draws Honduras 2-2 at 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship . . June 13, 2018 . March 8, 2015.
  22. Web site: U-17 MNT Falls 1-0 to Jamaica, Must Win Sunday Playoff Game to Qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup . . June 13, 2018 . March 11, 2015.
  23. Web site: Richie Williams Names 21-Player Roster for FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile . . June 13, 2018 . October 2, 2015.
  24. Web site: U-17 MNT Fights for 2-2 Draw with Croatia at U17 World Cup . . June 13, 2018 . October 20, 2015.
  25. Web site: U-17 MNT Fall 4-1 to Host Chile at U-17 World Cup . . October 23, 2015.
  26. Web site: U-19 MNT vs. Miami FC . . June 13, 2018 . November 13, 2016.
  27. Web site: U-20 MNT 2 vs. Japan 1: USA Wins NTC Invitational Title . . June 13, 2018 . July 3, 2016.
  28. Web site: Twenty-Four Players Called For USMNT BioSteel January Training Camp To Kick Off 2026 FIFA World Cup Cycle . 2023-01-25 . www.ussoccer.com . en.
  29. Web site: Serrano . Rodrigo . 2023-01-23 . Brandon Vázquez eager to debut with the USMNT but there's no decision yet . 2023-01-25 . Diario AS.
  30. Web site: USMNT vs. Serbia score: Brandon Vazquez scores in debut but Americans fall in first friendly since World Cup . 2023-01-26 . CBSSports.com . January 26, 2023 . en.
  31. Web site: 2023-06-25 . Vazquez's 88th-minute goal gives the US 1-1 draw with Jamaica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup opener . 2023-07-10 . AP News . en.
  32. Web site: 2023-07-09 . USA vs Canada score, result, highlights as USMNT advances to Gold Cup semifinals on penalty shootout . 2023-07-10 . www.sportingnews.com . en-us.
  33. Web site: mlssoccer . USAvsCAN 07-09-2023 2022 MLS Match Recap . 2023-07-10 . mlssoccer . en.
  34. Web site: Brandon Vázquez has shined for U.S. Soccer. Could they lose him to Mexico? . . January 28, 2023 .
  35. Web site: USA - Brandon Vázquez. Soccerway. 17 July 2019.
  36. Web site: Sial . Jonathan . FC Cincinnati win 2023 MLS Supporters' Shield . MLSSoccer.com . Major League Soccer . en . Sep 30, 2023.
  37. Web site: 2022 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire. Major League Soccer. November 2, 2022. November 2, 2022.