Brandon Vazquez – FC Cincinnati’s buoyant striker

Brandon Vazquez hopped onto the well-trodden path that most strikers of the modern-age, playing in a deeper or wider role to develop his technique and combination play at youth level before he develops physically to complete his journey into a well-rounded striker. This journey took place in both Mexico with Tijuana’s academy with his dad taking him on long journeys across the border as young Mexican-Americans all make a familiar journey to accrue high-level coaching and experience at youth level. Last season, Vazquez was behind Jurgen Locadia and Brenner on the depth charge as he would come off the bench, dropping deep to work combinations and making runs into the channels as he has now become the most in-form American striker in the MLS.

Vazquez’ size allows him to receive possession in between the lines, holding the ball up while looking to work delicate passing combinations in between the lines to create goalscoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He can lay-off passes as well as work through balls to runners while he can also operate as a chance creator in the final third, making runs into the channels to cross into the box. Despite being a modern-day striker, there is an old-fashioned element to Vazquez’ game as he seeks aerial battles inside the opposition box, moving closer to defenders to rise into the air for shoulder to shoulder tussles or sneakily barging them aside as a delivery is played into the box to earn himself a yard of space. One aspect of his game that has grown this season is his movement as he can occupy positions at the back-post, ghosting into the centre of the box to apply finishes to crosses while his near post runs are consistently phenomenally timed. The positions he occupies in the box to make late runs are phenomenal as well while he is continuously focused, reacting quickly to saves and rebounds for tap-ins.

At home to Inter Miami earlier this season, positioned himself in the ten space as his team were in the defensive phase as FC Cincinnati would win a turnover to play a direct pass to Vazquez who received possession on the half-turn, allowing the ball to roll across his body to swivel as he earned a foul from a tough tackle in the opposition half. He then moved into the nine-space as the ball was switched to the left flank, isolating an opposition defender to make a run inside the box before diverting his run to the near post to receive a through ball as he stopped his feet before he continued his run in behind as he sensed the ball was being played into his zone. The striker then moved back onside, moving from the near post towards the back-post, occupying his centre-back’s blind-side as the ball was switched to the left flank, making a run towards the six-yard area before stopping his feet and holding his run. He then assessed that a low cross was coming towards the near post for the 23-year-old to make a curved run around his centre-back towards the near post back-heel an opportunity wide of the back-post.

This is where Vazquez’ movement separates him from other strikers as he was in constant motion during the whole attacking sequence, picking up positions on defender’s blind-side, making a run to the near post then moving to the back-post to make another run to the near post. He also managed to remain onside and took great care on the timing of his runs and movements, stopping his feet to reassess his own position, the position of the ball and where to find some space while he also consistently anticipates deliveries, be it from through balls or from low crosses to the near post as these are big reasons why he takes shots from good areas. His decision to move to the back-post, occupy his centre-back’s blind-side before making a run towards the near post to make a curved run around the defender with the perfect timing to meet the delivery was genius. In another situation, he started in a deeper positon as his teammate dropped deep for Vazquez to make a run in behind, spinning around his marker and occupying his blind-side before stopping his feet to remain onside as the ball was played to the right flank for the 23-year-old to make a movement towards the centre, making a run towards a defender at the back-post before stopping his feet to head for a teammate to have a shot blocked.

Vazquez’ best combinations are quick one-touch interchanges in the final third to create shooting opportunities for his teammates or to work one-twos to create shooting opportunities for himself. He eventually had an assist, occupying a position on the right flank to make a well-timed run in behind to receive a through ball to cut past a defender and square a cross to a teammate at the back-post to side-foot past the goalkeeper. His movement earned him a goal as he was positioned in the nine-space, in between the two centre-backs, dropping deep to receive possession while also turning to angle his body for a run in behind. Vazquez dropped deep once more, before occupying a space on his defender’s blind-side before making a dart to the near post as he stopped his feet and moved back towards the centre of the box to receive a cross and head past the goalkeeper. His constant movement, ability to anticipate deliveries and strength in finishing with his head or his feet with one-touch makes him a difficult attacker to close down.

The split second where he stops his feet and changes direction may seem miniscule, but it allows him to reshape his body, set himself up for a run or change direction to gain a yard on a defender while he also utilizes this split second to lose markers inside the box. Vazquez thrives on a fast-paced game as when he can play one-touch combinations, his hold-up play is more effective as he dropped out of the nine-space to chest a flick-on for a teammate, looking to make a run before cleverly back into a pocket of space to receive possession and back-heel a through ball for a runner which was intercepted. With his size, aerial presence and movement, it seems like the Vazquez was made in a lab as every inch of movement to receive the ball is well thought out, precise and diligently made as he consistently occupies the right areas to move off of his defender, anticipating passes and deliveries while consistently rethinking and adjusting his position with the movement of the ball.

There are instances that Vazquez moves and positions himself so well that his mind is too quick for his body as he would occupy the nine-space, moving the ball towards the right flank when a teammate was driving the ball forward in that area before readjusting his body as the ball was played into the centre. He was moving towards the left flank before he stopped his feet and took a bounce-step into his centre-back’s blind-side before making a run into the box. He was positioned in between the two centre-backs with one gesturing to the other to mark him as a teammate made a run across his face for Vazquez to isolate himself against one centre-back. As the ball was played to another attacker in the same vertical line as him at the top of the box, he would stop his feet and allow his centre-back to be sucked closer to the ball, creating a pocket of space for himself where he received possession to poke a harmless shot at goal.

The 23-year-old dropped deep in the defensive phase as after his team won a turnover, he made a run into the right channel to skip past a defender and play a pass down the line for a cross into the box. After a turnover, he had a heavy first touch and lost the ball as his team regained possession for Vazquez to make a run into the channels as he received a through ball to cut past a sliding tackle which caught him for Brenner to have a shot deflected over the bar. For his second goal, Vazquez was occupying the right flank, making a run into the box as when his defender looked over his shoulder to check his position, the 23-year-old was making a run into the centre before adjusting his run slightly to surge to the back-post, speeding up his run before stopping his feet to redirect a cross past a hapless goalkeeper.

Away to the Philadelphia Union, he made a run to receive a deep vertical pass in the nine-space to lay-off for a teammate to have a long range shot at goal. The attacker dropped deep to lay-off another pass for a teammate to shoot wide from range once more. Vazquez was holding his position in the nine-space, moving to the right half-space to stop his feet and drop deep before making a run in behind his marker to receive a through ball, driving into the box to have a cut-back cleared away from goal. His occupation of space and movement would continue to be interesting as he loves to position himself at the back-post on his centre-back’s blind-side, holding a space in between the centre-back and fullback. He would be in this position as the ball was being played on the left flank as once play was switched to the right flank for Vazquez to side-step in between the centre-backs before making a run to the near where he had an opportunity blocked. Vazquez’ bread and butter is making a movement towards the centre or back-post to create some runway for a well-timed dart to the near post as this is a source of high-quality opportunities for him.

The Mexican – American would drop in between the lines to receive possession before switching the ball to the opposite flank for an attacking move before dropping out of the nine-space to receive a deep vertical pass, taking a touch and threading the ball to the flank for a crossing opportunity. From a corner situation, he made a run to the near post as the delivery was played to the back post for a header to be played into his path for him to score with a diving header. Vazquez was in his usual position, in between the centre-back and the fullback at the back-post before he made a run across the face of his defender for a delivery that was played over his head. Vazquez chested a long pass to a teammate, winning an aerial duel before making a run in behind but he maintained an awareness of the defensive line, staying in an onside position, stopping his feet and bouncing in the same spot to remain in an onside position before spinning towards the ball to make a run in behind as the through ball played to him was too heavy. In an attacking situation, he was making a run forward from a deeper position, surging into a pocket of space after a teammate dropped out of the nine-space to hold possession and spread a pass to the opposite flank.

Vazquez received possession from the goalkeeper to hold-up possession and play the ball to a teammate. After a long pass into the left channel, Vazquez was originally positioned in the left half-space, making a vertical run behind his centre-back towards the penalty spot before as his centre-back was scanning to track his movement and was drawn towards the centre with Vazquez as the striker cleverly moved him away from his partner to generate some space before Vazquez made a run to the near post where he poked an opportunity over the bar. Away to the New England Revolution, he dropped in between the lines to lay-off a pass to a teammate before utilized his near post run routine to create an opportunity. He occupied his usual position at the back-post, in between the centre-back and fullback, moving towards his centre-back before making a run towards the back-post, stopping his feet to allow his centre-back to take a more vertical body shape before Vazquez made a run across the face of the centre-back to receive a low cross to lay-off for Brenner to have his shot saved.

After FC Cincinatti won a turnover near the halfway line, Vazquez would immediately make a run to occupy a space in between the centre-back and fullback, threatening a run in behind as a teammate in the ten-space received possession. Once the ball was switched to the opposite flank, he made a movement to occupy space in between the opposite centre-back and fullback as once a teammate received possession in the ball-far half-space, the ball-far defender moved to engage the attacker, allowing Vazquez to make a movement across his defender’s face to occupy a pocket of space before dropping into space as a delivery was played behind him for an interception. The 23-year-old made a run into the left channel to receive possession, holding the ball up and cutting back a delivery to the ten space for a blocked shot. On a counter-attack, he received possession in the right channel as he had a terrible first touch, diverting the ball towards his marker where he was tackled instead of driving the ball forward where he could use his body to shield the ball, drive possession at goal and have a shot.

Vazquez received a lobbed pass, controlling the ball before switching possession to the opposite flank before moving into the nine-space to receive a pass in between the lines and lay-off for Brenner before making a run to the back post to make his usual run across the face of a centre-back as the cross was played high. The 23-year-old lost an aerial duel before receiving possession to switch the ball to the opposite flank, making a run to his usual position at the back post as he maintained his position as the ball was crossed over his head as pass was played into his zone for the delivery to be cleared. With the spaces he occupies, his awareness of deliveries and the positions of his teammates and opponents, there is sometimes an inevitability of the ball rolling into his path in the opposition box. Vazquez chested down a long pass from his centre-back, holding off a defender to drive inside before turning back to the wide areas to spread a ball to the flank.

In a situation where the ball was held on the right flank, Vazquez was positioned at the back-post as a back-pass was played and he altered his body shape to drop deeper to receive possession, strolling to the top of the box before a pass was played to the ten space where he switched his stance to the half-turn, making a run behind his centre-back to chest down a lobbed pass and volley a strike over the bar from a tight angle. The subtlety of tailoring his body shape to the positioning of the ball to anticipate a delivery is an aspect of his game that allows him to remain a split second ahead of his centre-back as Vazquez stands out because of his physical tools but there is also a meticulous head on his shoulders to match a cold-bloodedness in the penalty area. It was mentioned earlier that his movement also allows him to be well-positioned for rebounds as this was exhibited when the attacker took up his usual position at the back-post while Brenner was at the near post as the 23-year-old did well to maintain an onside position as he moved into the centre of the box. A low cross was played in and deflected goal wards as Vazquez intelligent blocked the fullback from getting goal-side of him as the opportunity was saved with the striker in the perfect position to have the rebound saved when he could have scored.

The Mexican-American received possession on the counter to drive into the centre of the pitch, playing the ball for Brenner before making a run to the back-post, making a run towards the penalty area before the ball was played backwards. Vazquez would scan to identify some space in between the opposition’s deeper-lying winger and fullback, moving in front of the fullback before spinning onto the half-turn to make a run behind him for a through ball that was not played. Watching Vazquez is akin to watching a masterclass in striker movement as he rarely remains still, moving out of areas to create spaces that he plans on re-occupying, adjusting his body shape while constantly scanning to manoeuvre around congested areas. Moving towards the back-post behind a marker was constantly believed to be an ineffective way of attacking the box as a striker but this gives Vazquez a better overview of the box while he can drag defenders out of position. The 23-year-old also has the height to receive crosses at the back-post and redirect them to the centre of the box for a teammate or redirect them at goal.

In a breaking situation, Vazquez would make a run to the back-post as his team had a shot deflected for the attacker to move back to the top of the box, scanning to side-step into the centre as the ball was moved to the right flank. He looked to make a run into the channels before realising the pass was not available before moving towards the centre and dropping deep as a back-pass was played. When the ball was played back to the right flank for Vazquez to make a run into the channels stretching to receive a lobbed pass which was played too high for him. He dropped deep to lay-off a pass as the ball was switched to the left flank for Vazquez to make a run towards the back-post, diverting his run towards the centre before moving to occupy a space in the six-yard area as a cut-back was played for a teammate to send a shot over the bar. If his teammate had directed the shot at goal and it was saved, the striker would have been in the perfect position for a tap-in.

At home to the Philadelphia Union, he received possession to play an intelligent lay-off for Brenner to drive into the box and have his shot blocked. The 23-year-old’s combination play and ability to operate as a chance creator through quick connections in between the lines makes him an essential attacking tool for his team as he received possession with his back to goal, threading a pass to a teammate who was tackled before he could shoot. Vazquez drove the ball forward, cutting inside to thread a pass into the centre before he moved into the nine-space, holding his position before making a late movement to receive a cross that went over his head. The Mexican-American made a run in behind from the right flank as he did well to stay onside as he angled a run to the near as he anticipated a delivery that he did not receive. He got back onside to attempt another run before he received possession, playing a pass to the wide areas before making a double movement in the box to make a run to the near post for a delivery to be played into the arms of the goalkeeper.

He scored his 14th goal of the season as he started his run behind his centre-back, bursting past him with a double movement to finish a delivery with a one-touch finish. His double-movements and the timing of his runs were excellent as the 23-year-old made a run in behind before moving back onside as he made another perfectly timed run to receive a lobbed pass, but he could not get the proper purchase on the ball to score. Vazquez’ movement allowed his teammate to create the third goal, receiving possession and laying the ball off before making a run across a defender to drag him out of position, creating space for Alvaro Barreal make a run into the area, receive possession and apply the finish. At home to Atlanta United, Vazquez started the game by applying pressure, leading the press by closing down the centre-backs and goalkeeper.

He lost possession in a situation that led to an Atlanta opportunity before receiving possession once more, laying the ball off and making a run into the channels to receive possession as he had a cross blocked before he sent the rebound into the box. He traded passes with a teammate to switch a pass to the flank before the 23-year-old received a clearance to lay-off the ball to start a counter that led to a Brenner shot. He scored his 15th goal of the season when he dropped deep for the counter-press before making a run in behind to receive possession and accurately place an opportunity past the goalkeeper to equalize. He utilized his back-post to near post movement to receive a cross and have a shot blocked. Vazquez turned out of a tight situation to drive the ball forward, switching a pass to the left flank before ghosting to the back-post to receive a header, squaring the ball back to the centre of the box for Brenner.

The Mexican – American has scored 15 goals this season from an expected goals number of 11.39 with 4 assists at an expected assist number of 4.18. He has taken 58 shots with 48% of them being on target while he has the second most headers in the MLS while only 24% of his shots have been from outside the box. He ranks third in touches in the opposition area as he also ranks in the top 30 for key passes as he is third in aerial duels.

Vazquez is an intriguing striker because of his size, mobility and movement inside the box as closing him down is a difficult proposition for centre-backs because he is a constantly mobile presence in the opposition box as he is able to threaten the opposition in a variety of ways. The 23-year-olds loves to occupy the back-post as a ploy, moving to engage and occupy a centre-back before making a run across his face to receive a delivery in the box. His near post runs are extremely well-timed, especially for low crosses as he can finish with his first touch. At the back-post, his aerial ability allows him to leap above defenders to re-direct a cross at goal as he is unique in being able to threaten from a variety of areas and angles within the opposition box. In the centre of the box, his constant movement and scanning to remain on-side consistently allows him to score from tap-ins and rebounds. With his back to goal, he can receive deep passes in between the lines but will need direct passing options to lay-off to with his first or second touch while he can stretch the pitch with switches to the opposite flank. With a higher level of football, he will need to use his body to hold the ball and swivel with possession to connect play as he can still lose possession in between the lines.

In quick vertical one-touch passing sequences, he can move into spaces to lay-off or thread through balls for fellow attackers to have shooting opportunities as he is a chance creator as well as a goal-scorer. Vazquez will also make runs into the channels to receive possession, lift his head up and square crosses for teammates in the box to have shooting opportunities. The 23-year-old is also adept at connecting play in counter-attacking situations and after turnovers in the opposition half. In a bigger league, his physical stature and mobility mean that he is not a striker that will be bullied in the air and on the ground as he seems to seek out physical duels while not being deterred when he loses a tussle.

Vazquez’ career is in flux as he is unsure whether he may be playing for United States Men’s National Team or Mexican National Team in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar. At club level, Vazquez could be a good acquisition for a team like Everton as a back-up or replacement to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brighton and Hove Albion, Leeds United, Southamption, Brentford and Fulham. His size and aerial ability greatly suit the English Premier League and Championship as teams like Norwich City, Watford, Burnley and QPR could all utilize a striker with his skillset. The 23-year-old would also thrive in La Liga with clubs like Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad who are looking for a replacement for Alexander Isak, Espanyol, Real Vallodolid, Cadiz and Getafe. In Serie A, Bologna, Lazio, Torino and Sampdoria would be good teams for him as he would thrive at Rennes, Brest, Monaco, Nice and Lille in Ligue 1. In the Bundesliga, teams like Hertha Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz could also be good moves for the young attacker. In Portugal, he would be an ideal replacement for Vitinha or Abel Ruiz at SC Braga as he would suit that style of play, fitting into that team and league quite seamlessly. Vazquez has a lovely blend of modern skills with an old-fashioned mentality, blending technique and grit with humility which should serve him well over his career.