Vazquez star of the show in FC Cincinnati win

Cincinnati clinched the top spot of the three-team group, with victories over Sporting Kansas City, whom Cincinnati beat last Sunday, and Chivas.

Vazquez scored his first and third goals roughly 18 hours apart due to the delays.

“It’s a weird feeling for sure,” Vazquez said, “it felt like a different game.”

Vazquez, who wasn’t slated to start the game Thursday until minutes prior due to a Sergio Santos hamstring issue, scored his first goal 90 seconds into the game. From the left side of the top of the 18-yard box, Vazquez received the ball and pushed it towards his right foot which in turn sent a curling, powerful ball past the keeper.

“We said he can never warm up with the team again,” defender Nick Hagglund said jokingly of Vazquez’s hot start. “I’m really happy for him. Three great goals, the first one in particular, but he’s been knocking on the door so you could see this coming.”

Vazquez said he always prepares for the games the same, regardless of whether or not he starts. It felt “weird” being thrown into the lineup last minute, though.

Just minutes after his first, eight minutes into the game, Vazquez slotted in his second goal via a low cross from Alvaro Barreal, giving Cincinnati an early 2-0 lead. It was important to get out early in the game and score, Vazquez emphasized.

“It shows that we dictate the tempo of the game, that we’re on top, and we’re hungry. I think it caught (Chivas) off guard and it gives us an advantage for sure,” he said.

The final goal (scored on Friday) of Vazquez’s hat trick came once again from a low, pacey cross from the left foot of Barreal. Alvaro provided the assists for Vazquez’s second and third goals against Chivas and was once again dangerous out on the left flank.

“As soon as I see Alvaro on the ball, I’m making movements in the box and getting into little spaces create a little space between me and the defender,” Vazquez said. “All I’m looking for is good delivery, and now I know I can put it in the back of the net.”