Kevin Kelsy: Big Jersey Big Presence
Luke Schnur
Kevin Kelsy is the orange and blue’s most recent signing. Currently the Venezuelan is on loan with a purchase option, from Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine. Ever since his first appearance, The Chief and plenty of others noticed his shirt seemed to be a little big on him.
It was later reported by Carter Chapley, a staff writer with FC Cincinnati, that during his fitting for the team, that the larger size is fit he specifically asked for. The size of this shirt was no mistake; I believe Kelsy’s kit size represents something more meaningful.
I believe that his larger jersey symbolizes the large expectations he wants to live up to. It could be expectations from himself, or expectations from his new coaches. He is currently carrying the number and role of former player Brandon Vazquez.
Vazquez is a U.S. international and is currently playing for one of the biggest clubs in Mexico. Kelsy, being only 19, has a difficult task filling the role of FC Cincinnati’s second all-time leading goal scorer. These are very heavy expectations to place on the 19-year-old, but I believe he has the technical, physical, and mental tools to not only meet those expectations, but to exceed them.
Drowning in fabric, and confidence
Brandon Vazquez has played a significant part in the FC’s rise from the depths of MLS to being one the elite teams in the league. The striker, paired with Brenner, was a deadly combo during the 2022 campaign, where The FC made their first MLS Playoff appearance in team history. Brenner shared the technical skill of the pairing, but Vazquez played a crucial role in his hold up play. This created space for Brenner and Acosta to cook.
Brenner also gave Vazquez openings to score goals, and he did, Brandon scored 19 goals that season. His size was instrumental in generating chances from headers and to control the ball with his back to goal. The next season? Brenner was nowhere to be seen while Vazquez led the front line, on the way to winning the Supporter’s Shield. Vazquez for his part would score 17 goals across all competitions. Vazquez was (and still is) your classic big-body striker and his play earned him a massive paydays in Mexico playing for continental giants Monterrey.
Now looking at Kelsy, it is almost impossible to make the comparisons to Vazquez. Obviously, he plays the same role, and wears the same number, 19. Kelsy has what many would call a “formidable frame”. He stands at a staggering 6’4 which has translated early into his elite heading ability.
In his second and third appearance, he scored a headed goal. But was Kelsy going to be a one-trick-pony? We quickly learned that he can in fact score with his feet as well. Against Toronto, Kelsy received the ball off of a deflection and with keen awareness, blasted the ball across the face of goal into the back of the net. Kelsy has only made 6 appearances for the Orange and Blue, but it’s hard not to imagine what he could look like at the end of the season. Or if you really want to et optimistic, what a second season in Cincinnati could look like. Regardless, since joining, Kelsy has proved that he was exactly what this team needed after losing Brandon. Watching Kelsy these past few weeks, I have noticed his shirt isn’t too big after all.