The one by one of FC Cincinnati with two Argentines: Who plays in Messi's first rival in the US Open Cup?

2023-08-22 17:15:27

22/08/2023 12:15hs.

After obtaining the Leagues Cup, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are preparing to face a new challenge: the semifinals of the US Open Cup. The rival to beat will be FC Cincinnati, the team that leads the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, the best record in the competition, and that has several South American players in its squad. Among them, two Argentines: Luciano Acosta and Alvaro Barreal.

Before the clash this Wednesday from 20, In Olé we bring you a review of the footballers and the DT that make up the Ohio franchise squadand the names that Gerardo Martino and Las Garzas must take into account to go in search of a new final.

Roman Celentano

Despite being only 22 years old, Celentano is the goalkeeper of this team. The man born in Illinois earned his place and played in all 24 games in this MLS, although he did not add minutes in the Leagues Cup. He conceded 28 goals, kept a clean sheet nine times and is emerging as a starter for this key game.

Alec Kann

The experienced Kann, 33 years old and with a long career in the United States, He is the other candidate to occupy the arc of the Blue and Orange box. He played in all three of the club’s Leagues Cup games (conceded five goals) and the previous four in this US Open Cup (conceded two goals), making him another possible alternative.

Yerson Mosquera

The Colombian Yerson Mosquera, A young central defender, he came to the club on loan from English side Wolverhampton in February of this year and quickly became essential: he played 25 games, spread across three competitions, contributed two goals, provided one assist and saw eight yellow cards.

Yerson Mosquera in Cincinnati.

With Matt Miaz

Also with a past in European football (he went through Chelsea, Anderlecht and Alavés, among others) Polish-American Matt Miazga is on the team. At 28 years old and 1.93 meters tall, he started as a substitute and little by little he earned the position; he played 24 games this 2023, gave an assist and received six yellow cards.

Ian Murphy

The Californian Ian Murphy did not have much participation in the beginning of the MLS, but Little by little he entered the XI and today he would complete the line of three in the background. In this 2023 he played 21 commitments with the Cincinnati jersey and highlights the fact that he was sent off twice, both for the second yellow card.

Nick Hagglund

Hagglund is another candidate to make up the central defense. The 30-year-old soccer player was present in 24 games for the Ohio franchise, although he lost ground in recent months and in recent games he saw action coming off the bench. He didn’t receive a yellow card this year, but he did receive a straight red in MLS.

santiago arias

After being released from Atlético de Madrid, Colombian Santiago Arias arrived in Cincinnati earlier this year and since then, the right-back has played 21 games for the team, scoring three goals and providing two assists. Despite having a good performance, the change in system, from a line of four to a line of three, caused it to lose its place in the starting lineup.

Santiago Arias in Cincinnati (photo: club press).

Obinna Nwobodo

The 26-year-old Nigerian, Nwobodo, is the 5th of the Blue and Orange squad. and a fundamental player at the start with the ball. With 27 games played this year and two goals to his credit, the former Green Eagles footballer starts as a favorite to start against Inter.

Junior Moreno

Next to Nwobodo, and as a more arriving 5, is the experienced man from the Venezuelan team, Júnior Moreno. The one who emerged from Deportivo Lara, who has been playing in North American soccer since 2018, is a key player in Cincinnati’s midfield: he played 26 games this season, scored three goals and was an assister on one occasion.

frame angle

Another variant in the midfield, as a possible replacement for Moreno or Nwobodo, is the Ecuadorian Marco Angulo. The champion of the Copa Libertadores and the Sudamericana with Independiente del Valle added minutes in 25 games, although the vast majority of the time he did it entering the second half.

Luciano Acosta

The captain, number 10 and figure of the Ohio franchise is the Argentine Luciano Acosta. The former Boca and Estudiantes arrived in Cincinnati in 2021 and since then he has become a fundamental footballer as his numbers show: this year he contributed 13 goals and gave eight assists in 30 games. As if that were not enough, he is the second top scorer in the current MLS, only behind the German Hany Mukhtar.

Luciano Acosta, captain and emblem of Cincinnati.

Yuya Kubo

The Japanese Yuya Kubo usually enters quite a lot in the team’s rotations and is another offensive midfielder to take into account. He played 22 games in Cincinnati in this 2023 and managed to convert a goal and provide two assists. He is usually the natural replacement for Luciano Acosta.

Brandon Vazquez

Another of the team’s goalscorers and attack code name is Vázquez. The 24-year-old, who was close to being called up by the United States to play in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has 11 shouts and two assists in the 25 games he has played this year; Furthermore, he is one of Acosta’s best partners.

Aaron Boupendza

After a stint in the Saudi Arabian league, Boupendza arrived in Cincinnati last July and soon found himself on the team. Although he only played five games in North America, the Gabonese started every Leagues Cup game and has already scored his first goal in MLS.

Alvaro Barreal

Barreal is the other Argentine that integrates the establishment. The young left-handed winger trained in the Inferior de Vélez has been with the team since 2020 and is also a fundamental part of the team. Four goals and 10 assists in 31 games were the contributions of the 23-year-old boy who, if he adds minutes in this semi, will reach his 100th game with the Cincinnati jersey

Álvaro Barreal celebrates a goal in Cincinnati.

Even then

Former US national team manager and player Pat Noonan is Cincinnati’s coach. The Missouri-born arrived in December 2021 and has done well ever since: He was the leader in the Eastern Conference last season and is repeating the same classification this year, in addition to reaching the semis of this US Open Cup. However, he has just suffered a 3-0 win against Columbus Crew.

When do Cincinnati vs Inter play?

The meeting between the Blue and Orange team and the Garzas will take place this Wednesday, August 23 from 8:00 p.m. (Argentine time) at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The winner of the match will face the winner of the match between Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake in the final.

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The one by one of FC Cincinnati with two Argentines: Who plays in Messi’s first rival in the US Open Cup?