As the 2023 Leagues Cup approaches, FC Cincinnati is emerging as one of the top to win the tournament. The Ohio-based club is currently atop the Eastern Conference as the team is one of the top contenders to lift the MLS Cup.
Entering the Leagues Cup, Cincinnati will aim to make its mark on the tournament and showcase its quality against formidable opponents.
Cincinnati will be in Group Central 3 alongside Sporting Kansas City and Chivas de Guadalajara. Chivas is coming off reaching the 2023 Clausura Final but losing to Club Tigres. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City has struggled this 2023 season as they're currently outside a playoff spot.
How does FC Cincinnati come into the Leagues Cup 2023?
After a 2022 MLS season that saw Cincinnati clinch a playoff spot, the club is building off last year's form. Cincy is ahead of Nashville SC as the two clubs battle to win top the top spot in the Eastern Conference. However, the next step will be to transition their form from the league to international competition.
Luciano Acosta is the star of Cincinnati's attack
FC Cincinnati's No. 10 might make a case for the best offensive player in Group Central. Luciano Acosta is the driving force behind Cincy’s attacking prowess in the 2023 season.
With an impressive tally in various competitions, Acosta's contributions have been instrumental in the team's success. He is expected to play a crucial role as they seek to advance past the group stage of Leagues Cup.
Acosta's impact on FC Cincinnati's attack cannot be overstated. Since joining the club in 2021, his offensive attributes have consistently troubled opposing defenses.
Yerson Mosquera impressing in his one-year loan stint
The Colombian defender has quickly become integral to FC Cincinnati's defense. Mosquer joined Cincy early this year on a loan agreement from Wolverhampton Wanderers. As the Leagues Cup approaches, Yerson Mosquera has a golden opportunity to showcase his skills and catch the attention of Wolves and other European teams.
Playing against top-quality opposition from both MLS and Liga MX in the Leagues Cup will allow Mosquera to test himself against different styles of play in a high-stakes competition to further enhance his development as a defender.