Success comes with costs, as FC Cincinnati is starting to learn.
FC Cincinnati midfielder Junior Moreno, who assisted on the club's game-winning goal in Saturday's memorable victory against Seattle Sounders FC, was called up to the Venezuela national team, it was announced Monday. Moreno joins a 30-man roster that will prepare for two friendlies in Saudi Arabia, with games scheduled for March 24 and March 30.
More:What we learned from FC Cincinnati's 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC
Moreno's inclusion in the national team camp is unquestionably a positive for one of FC Cincinnati's most important players, and the club's support in his call-up is clear.
That doesn't mean Moreno's individual success is without a toll on FCC. While his exact travel schedule couldn't be confirmed Monday, Moreno's availability for the next three matches is in question.
Moreno will almost definitely miss the club's March 25 match at Nashville SC. The call-up could also jeopardize his availability for this coming weekend's game at Chicago Fire and the April 1 home match against Inter Miami CF.
This isn't a long period of time, nor is it thought to be a decisive stretch of the Major League Soccer season, but with center back Nick Hagglund slated to miss the Fire match after his red card against Seattle, Moreno's absence can't be discounted. FC Cincinnati's depth would be pushed in any situation absent Moreno given his significance to the team.
Again, the call-up is a positive. It's the third senior national team call-up for FC Cincinnati this year after Brandon Vazquez and goalkeeper Roman Celentano joined the USMNT's annual January camp. Recognition in the form national team call-ups is a good problem for clubs to have.
That's in addition to the fact FC Cincinnati players are increasingly linked to big-money moves abroad.
Now that FCC has an MLS Cup playoff run under its belt and is undefeated through three matches in 2023, it should expect to see more of its players receiving this kind of recognition.
Obinna Nwobodo honored for Seattle performance
FC Cincinnati Obinna Nwobodo, a defensive-midfield rock for the club since joining in late April 2022, was named to the starting lineup for the MLS "Team of the Matchday" starting lineup for the league's third round of games in 2023, officials announced Monday.
Nwobodo keyed FC Cincinnati's game-winning goal against Seattle when he made the decisive tackle to turn the Sounders over deep in their own half of the field.
After stopping Seattle from playing out from its own end of the field, Brandon Vazquez, Luciano Acosta, Moreno and finally Brenner Souza da Silva, the goalscorer, combined on the 64th minute tally.
Nwobodo had three successful tackles in the match, which produced some intense midfield battles.
For scoring his first goal of 2023, Brenner was named to the Team of the Matchday bench.
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