FC Cincinnati: Brenner is a solution for goal scoring woes

One of the biggest signings of the Major League Soccer offseason has been officially announced. Brazilian forward Brenner has been acquired by FC Cincinnati for a reported fee of $13 million plus incentives. This is a very high transfer fee for an MLS club but it speaks volumes to how highly rated this young player is. Brenner has produced impressive offensive numbers during his career in Brazil’s top division and he can certainly be a goal-scoring threat in MLS.

A proven goal-scorer

During his time playing with Sao Paulo in Brazil’s Serie A, Brenner scored an impressive 24 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions. The 21-year-old had his best season to date during the 2020/21 campaign when he scored 11 goals in 27 appearances.

During the domestic cup competition, Copa do Brasil, Brenner registered six goals and six appearances to help his club reach the semifinals. On the continental level, he recorded four goals across six appearances in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

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An answer for goal-scoring woes

Cincinnati struggled to find the back of the net during the 2020 MLS season. They scored 12 goals in 23 matches which was the least number of goals scored by any MLS club.

Despite signing Jurgen Locadia, Cincinnati was unable to generate the goals needed to win matches. The player on loan from Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion scored one goal in 17 appearances which was not the outcome the club would have been hoping for.

With Brenner now joining Cincinnati, the Eastern Conference club have another exciting attacking player on the books who can deliver goals on a consistent basis.

At 21, he still has room to improve his skill set even further and become an even better attacking player. After a disappointing start in MLS, Cincinnati may have found a key player capable of winning them matches as they work towards a first-ever appearance in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Cincinnati have yet to have a player register a double-digit goal-scoring season. Allan Cruz scored seven goals during the 2019 campaign which is the most goals they have seen a player score in their first two seasons in MLS.

Brenner appears to have what it takes to be a double-digit goal scorer in MLS. He scored 11 goals in Brazil’s top division last season and it’s safe to assume he can do the same in his first campaign in MLS. This is going to be a player to keep an eye on as he could become the best young player in the league.