FC Cincinnati’s impressive 2022 MLS campaign was headlined by several reasons, but one that could pave the way for future success of the club was the growth of forward Brandon Vazquez.

Vazquez excelled as one of FC Cincy’s standout stars this season, totaling a career-high 19 goals and eight assists in Pat Noonan’s squad. A former youth player with Liga MX side Club Tijuana and a MLS Cup winner with Atlanta United, the 24-year-old doubled the goal production of his first five seasons in 2022, finishing among the top-ten goalscorers in the league this year.

Along with fellow attackers Brenner and Luciano Acosta, Vazquez helped FC Cincy reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in their history, while also claiming a 2-1 road victory over the New York Red Bulls. Despite a second-round exit at the hands of No. 1 seed Philadelphia Union, there was plenty to be proud of for Vazquez and FC Cincy going into the future.

Vazquez’s season has come to an early exit, but Noonan supports his forward long-term after a positive glimpse in 2022.

“It looks bright,” Noonan said Wednesday in his end-of-season conference call. “I would say if he continues on this path, he’s going to be gone. That’s my guess. Do we want to lose him? No. If he continues the way in the form that he is in, he can produce for us for a long Time and that’s what we want. But the reality is with his age and with this particular position, the goalscorer, he’s going to be a hot commodity.”

“I don’t expect that he is going to be a part of this group if the production continues at the rate that it did in 2022. For FCC, is that a good thing? You know, no, when you talk about production and what he means to our group. But for Brandon, the person and the player, if other opportunities come about and he’s able to go on to something bigger and better, I think that’s fantastic.”

Vazquez’s immediate future remains with FC Cincy after signing a new long-term extension with the club in August. His new deal runs through the 2025 season and also includes a one-year option for 2026.

Not only has Vazquez’s breakout campaign attracted European suitors, but has also added pressure for USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter about including the Mexico-eligible forward in future plans. Vazquez has yet to earn a senior call-up for the USMNT despite his past involvements with the USMNT U-20’s, U-19’s, and U-17’s from 2014-16.

FC Cincy will now head into an important offseason as they try to keep majority of their 2022 roster together. Vazquez’s commitment to FC Cincy over the next few seasons is crucial, especially with the club having seven current players set to become free agents this winter.

“I think it is a sign of players being able to be a part of our staff and this club, being in position to develop to play at a higher level, wherever that is, whatever that means,” Noonan added about the importance of Vazquez among other players being on the radar elsewhere. “Again, we want Brandon here for a long time. But when you score goals, others are going to take notice of that and he is going to be sought after. So again, we’ll cross that bridge if and when it happens, but we’re really proud of Brandon and happy that we get to work with him and his character on a day to day.”