Brandon Vazquez Earns First Cap with USMNT: “It’s an Honor to be Part of this Group”

January 25, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

It’s been 38 days since Argentina claimed a third World Cup against France at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. And while the celebrations are surely ongoing in Argentina, the U.S. Men’s National Team have already begun preparations for the 2026 tournament, which will be held on home soil.

Twenty-four players were called into the first USMNT camp of the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle including FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez. Vazquez joins teammate and goalkeeper Roman Celentano in Southern California for his first senior team call-up.

Vazquez, who is in the Starting XI for tonight’s International Friendly against Serbia, will have the chance to showcase his knack for finding the back of the net in his first senior cap for the U.S. The match kicks off at 10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on HBO Max, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo App.

In the process, Vazquez will become the first player in FC Cincinnati history to earn a cap with the USMNT.

Following a breakout 2022 campaign with the Orange and Blue, Vazquez’s name was consistently discussed as a name to watch out for as the 2022 FIFA World Cup approached. While ultimately his name was not called, he is now part of the first USMNT camp ahead of, arguably, the most crucial buildup ever to a World Cup for the men’s national team.

“I’m excited to be here,” said Vazquez in a press conference open to national soccer media earlier this week. “Last year, I was doing everything possible to get into the World Cup roster. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but you have to be able to shake it off. That’s what I’m doing now, a fresh start.”

Vazquez is no stranger to the international stage, having appeared for the United States U-17, U-19 and U-20 teams in his youth career. He scored two goals in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

“The camaraderie between some of the guys in the squad is the same as it has always been,” Vazquez said. “It’s been seven or eight years since we all last played together but it’s all the same. The friendships are all the same and it’s always a lot of fun coming back together.”

Vazquez enjoyed a breakout 2022 with FC Cincinnati, scoring 18 goals in 33 regular season appearances, and will look to bring that same scoring form to a young but talented roster of players.

“You can tell the quality of the group, the quality of every player, is world class. It’s an honor to be a part of this group and I’ve been adapting to the group…