Vazquez, Matarrita Earn MLS Team of the Week Honors

March 21, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release

FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez has been named to Major League Soccer's Team of the Week presented by Audi for Week 4, while defender Ronald Matarrita earned a spot on the seven-man bench.

Vazquez is the first player in club history to earn a spot in consecutive weeks on the MLS Team of the Week Starting XI. He's the second FC Cincinnati player to take MLS honors in back-to-back weeks (Luciano Acosta - 2021 Week 9 Bench, Week 10 Starting XI).

Vazquez's superb start to the 2022 season continued Saturday when he netted two goals and added an assist. He scored a brace for the second game running, including the game-winner in the 24th minute in FCC's 3-1 win over Inter Miami CF. Vazquez's four goals are tied for the MLS lead with LAFC's Carlos Vela and the Columbus Crew's Lucas Zelarayán. His 17 shots lead the league.

Matarrita earned his first MLS weekly honor since being acquired by FC Cincinnati prior to the 2021 season. The Costa Rican international scored the opener in the 18th minute and assisted both of Vazquez's goals in Saturday's 3-1 win at TQL Stadium. Matarrita on Monday was called up to the Costa Rica National Team for the Ticos upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Vazquez and Matarrita became the second and third players in club history with three goals + assists in a game (Brenner - 7/17/21 at CF Montréal). They are the 35th and 36th players to earn MLS weekly honors in FC Cincinnati history.

The full team is listed below.

2022 MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi (Week 4)

F: Brandon Vazquez (CIN), Jesus Ferreira (DAL), Karol Swiderski (CLT)

M: Luca Petrasso (TOR), Ismael Kone (MTL), Darlington Nagbe (CLB), Cristian Roldan (SEA)

D: Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC), Walker Zimmerman (NSH) Nathan Harriel (PHI)

GK: Zac MacMath (RSL)

Coach: Miguel Angel Ramirez (CLT)

Bench: Pedro Gallese (ORL), Bakaye Dibassy (MIN), Ronald Matarrita (CIN), Brooks Lennon (ATL), Tate Schmitt (RSL), Carlos Vela (LAFC), Kacper Przybylko (CHI)

The Orange and Blue return home on April 2 for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff against CF Montréal. Fans can get the best tickets at the best price to the best matches all season long, including the home opener, by purchasing season tickets at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-KICK, that's 513-977-5425.

Fans can also purchase half-season ticket packages and single match tickets to any of FC Cincinnati's 15 remaining home games are available now.

FC Cincinnati are playing their fourth season of MLS competition in 2022, and their second playing at TQL Stadium. For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team's official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team's official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.

Major League Soccer Stories from March 21, 2022

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• Women's History Month Spotlight: Charmin Bates and Creative Girls Rock - Nashville SC
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• Houston Dynamo FC Sign 21-Year-Old Attacker Thiago from Flamengo - Houston Dynamo FC
• FC Dallas Homegrown Jesús Ferreira Voted MLS Player of the Week Presented by Continental Tire for Week 4 - FC Dallas
• FC Dallas Forward Jesús Ferreira Voted MLS Player of the Week Presented by Continental Tire for Week 4 - MLS
• Raising the Bar: Price, Yarbrough Climbing Rapids' All-Time Records Lists in 2022 - Colorado Rapids
• Injury Update: Clément Diop - Inter Miami CF
• Charlotte FC's Karol Świderski and Miguel Ramírez Named to MLS Team of the Week - Charlotte FC
• Vazquez, Matarrita Earn MLS Team of the Week Honors - FC Cincinnati
• Atlanta United Signs Ronaldo Cisneros on Loan - Atlanta United FC
• Sporting KC Weekly - Sporting Kansas City
• New England Revolution's Adam Buksa and Arnór Traustason Called into National Team Duty - New England Revolution
• D.C. United Agree to New Terms with Designated Player Taxiarchis "Taxi" Fountas - D.C. United
• Aimé Mabika Called up by Zambia National Team - Inter Miami CF
• Five Loons Called up for International Duty - Minnesota United FC
• Ronald Matarrita Called up to Costa Rica National Team for FIFA World Cup Qualification - FC Cincinnati
• LAFC Remains Unbeaten with 3-1 Win over Vancouver - Los Angeles FC
• 'Caps wrap up three of first four matches on the road with loss at LAFC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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