USMNT forward Brandon Vazquez scored his first goal for CF Monterrey Wednesday evening after completing a move from FC Cincinnati in January.
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Vazquez scores first Monterrey goalSecond appearance for Mexican sideLook ahead at striker's USMNT path in 2024WHAT HAPPENED?
Vazquez made a brilliant forward run into the box, timing his run to perfection to get his head on the end of a booming cross. He beat both central defenders, leaped, and thrust his head at the ball while pushing it to the bottom-left corner. The 41st minute strike, however, was not enough as they conceded late, ending in a 1-1 draw.
AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The 2024 calendar is a busy one for the USMNT, and at the moment, Vazquez is on the fringe of being included in Gregg Berhalter's pool. Two major tournaments sit on the horizon for the USA, with the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in the Spring and the 2024 Copa America in the early part of the summer. Competition in the striker role consists of Daryl Dike, Josh Sargent, Jesus Ferreira, Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun, who is seemingly Berhalter's go-to forward at the moment.
If Vazquez wants to find himself on the roster for either major upcoming competition, then he will need to turn this first goal into consistent scoring at a competitive level. Otherwise, Berhalter could look to other options in his attack.
WHAT NEXT FOR VAZQUEZ
Monterrey are back in action on Saturday against San Luis as Rayados looks to continue their hot start to the season. They sit third in the table, two points behind both Club America and Tigres as they're just three games into the campaign.
