Obinna Nwobodo Named to First MLS Team of the Matchday 

February 28, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

FC Cincinnati midfielder Obinna Nwobodo has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 1, the league announced Tuesday. Nwobodo earns a spot on the league’s weekly Best XI for the second time in his MLS career (2022, Week 15).

Nwobodo notched a goal and an assist on Saturday in FC Cincinnati’s 2-1 season-opening win over Houston Dynamo FC. His goal, the game-winning strike in the 48th minute, was his first career goal for the Orange and Blue.

Obinna Nwobodo Goal – 48th minute

In addition to his two goal contributions, Nwobodo led all players on the field with 11 possessions won and ranked among the contest’s leaders in total duels (17) and interceptions (3).

One season removed from FC Cincinnati earning 24 player recognitions on the league’s weekly honor, a club record, Nwobodo becomes the first player this season to be named to the list. He is the second player in club history to earn a league honor for Week/Matchday 1 of the season (Przemysław Tytoń, 2021 Week 1).

A full list of 2023 FC Cincinnati weekly honors:

2023 MLS Team of the Matchday Player Recognitions

– Obinna Nwobodo (Matchday 1)

The full team for Matchday 1 is listed below.

2023 MLS Team of the Matchday presented by Audi (Matchday 1)

Team of the Matchday (3-4-3, left to right): Drake Callender (MIA) – Sergii Kryvtsov (MIA), Walker Zimmerman (NSH), Henry Kessler (NE) – Dániel Gazdag (PHI), Obinna Nwobodo (CIN), Eduard Löwen (STL), Thiago Almada (ATL) – Jordan Morris (SEA), Julián Carranza (PHI), Ted Ku-DiPietro (DC)

Coach: Bradley Carnell (STL)

Bench: Pedro Gallese (ORL), Nouhou (SEA), Juan Mosquera (POR), Noel Buck (NE), Kervin Arriaga (MIN), Damir Kreilach (RSL), Cristian Roldan (SEA), Jacob Shaffelburg (NSH), João Klauss (STL)

FC Cincinnati head back to Florida this Saturday, March 4 to take on Orlando City SC from Exploria Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and can be streamed on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV and over the radio locally on ESPN 1530.

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