FC Cincinnati made headlines this week by announcing their new signing of the season, forward Kevin Kelsy, who joins the team on loan from Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk.
▪️ Nine goals in 37 games for Shakhtar Donetsk ▪️ He scored on his Champions League debut against FC Porto ▪️ Two goals in six games in CONMEBOL Olympic qualifying for Venezuela A look at what’s to come from 19-year-old @fccincinnati forward Kevin Kelsy . pic. twitter. com/qX9X2eRorr
Kelsy, a 19-year-old Venezuelan hopeful, arrives in Cincinnati hoping to fill the spot on the U. S. Men’s National Team Brandon Vazquez. During the winter, he left Cincinnati for Monterrey of Liga MX.
Vazquez contributed 8 goals and 4 assists last season for Cincinnati, earning him the Supporters’ Shield for the MLS regular season record.
Vásquez is fast, physical and uncompromising, and Cincinnati has struggled to mirror its strong 2023 form. As Vázquez’s replacement, Kelsy is expected to replace that narrative.
“We’re thrilled to have Kevin [Kelsy] join the group,” Cincinnati CEO Chris Albright said, according to MLS. com. “He’s a physically gifted striker with a strong mentality. “
Everybody, this is Kevin. pic. twitter. com/JrXnx9oZyP
Kelsy is still a teenager, but he has built an enviable career on 3 continents in his short professional career. He began his career at Venezuelan club Mineros de Guayana before moving to Ukraine with FC Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023.
As one of the best football teams in Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region, Shakhtar faced unimaginable difficult situations during Kelsy’s time at the club. They lost several players in the conflict, due to military conscription and voluntary departures, and played all their home games on neutral territory.
Incredibly, Shakhtar responded to those demanding situations by winning the Ukrainian championship in 2023. They also qualified for the 2023-24 Champions League and exceeded their expectations there.
Kelsy scored in Shakhtar’s first defeat to FC Porto. From there, the team bounced back and beat Antwerp and Barcelona to take third place in the group.
Kevin Kelsy, 19, on his #UCL debut with the Shakhtar!pic. twitter. com/6Pgoyk2wr5
With Champions League experience under his belt, Kelsy is expected to bring his physicality and ball skills to Cincinnati.
“I can’t wait to meet the fans,” Kelsy said.
FC Cincinnati is second in the Eastern Conference, three leaders Inter Miami. Kelsy’s arrival, and his long-term partnership with Cincinnati’s artistic forward Lucho Acosta, may push Cincinnati to fit or improve on Miami’s Lionel Messi-fueled offense.
Cincinnati returns to MLS on Saturday at Orlando City.
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