On April 22, 2017, Vázquez played in his first competitive MLS match, coming on as a substitute against Real Salt Lake and scoring a goal in the final minute of stoppage time.[4][5]
Brandon Vázquez after the Atlanta United game on June 2, 2018
In his first two seasons with the club, under manager Tata Martino, Vázquez was deployed as a winger rather than his natural position of leading the line as a striker. As a reserve, Vázquez made 21 appearances and scored one goal over those two seasons, culminating with Atlanta winning the MLS Cup title in 2018.[3]
After scoring 4 goals in his previous 2 games, Vázquez earned his first MLS Start on June 26, 2019, in a 2–3 defeat to Toronto FC.[3]
After mainly appearing as a substitute, Vázquez made his breakthrough in the 2022 season and new manager Pat Noonan. Vázquez opened the season as the undisputed starter for the first time in his career.[7][8] After two poor results, Cincinnati took down Orlando City SC with a 2–1 victory on the strength of his brace. The first goal was a well-taken finish after a perfectly timed cutting run between the centre-backs, the second a redirected header off a cross.[9] The following week, Vázquez registered another brace and added an assist in a 3–1 win over Inter Miami.[10] In the 24th minute, he rose to win a cross, beating the defenders and goalkeeper to the ball. His insurance goal, another header, sealed back-to-back victories for Cincinnati.[8] Brandon Vazquez has already set the record for the most goals in a single season in FC Cincinnati history.[11] On August 3, Vázquez was selected for the 2022MLS All-Star game as a replacement for striker Valentín Castellanos who was loaned by NYCFC to LaLiga side Girona FC after making the original 2022 roster.[12] Vázquez became the second FC Cincinnati player to ever be selected for an MLS All-Star roster, after attacking-midfielder teammate Luciano Acosta had already been chosen for the 2022 matchup against Liga MX All-Stars.[13]
Born in the United States, Vázquez was eligible to play for Mexico. He represented the United States at the youth level, but had also been called up by Mexico.[16][17]
Vázquez was then named to the United States squad for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[23] He played in two of the three group stage games, scoring against Croatia U17 and Chile U17 as the team finished last in their group and failed to advance from the group stage.[24][25]
Vazquez was called into the US senior national team's January Camp in 2023, which did not tie him to an international side.[28] Vazquez remained uncommitted, stating "nothing has changed [regarding his commitment at the international level]. Last year I was doing everything possible that I could control to give myself the best opportunity to get into the [US] World Cup roster... Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way, but you have to shake it off and start all over again. That is exactly what I am doing now, start fresh, with a lot of energy and a lot of excitement to be here."[29] Vázquez made his senior debut and start in an international friendly match against Serbia on January 25, 2023, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. He headed the lone US goal of the match via an assist from former club teammate Julian Gressel in the 29th minute of the match.[30]
Vazquez made his competitive debut for the US at the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the opening group stage match, Vazquez scored a late equalizer to salvage a 1-1 draw for the US versus Jamaica.[31] Vazquez scored against Trinidad & Tobago in a 6-0 rout, tallying the final goal. In his first ever Gold Cup knockout stage match, Vazquez scored an 88th minute go-ahead headed goal versus Canada.[32] Vazquez later missed his penalty shootout attempt, although the US rallied to defeat Canada at TQL Stadium to advance to the semi-finals.[33]
Personal life
Vázquez married Jessica Fleck, whom he began dating during his second MLS season with Atlanta United.[34]
