From Venezuela to Ukraine to MLS: FC Cincinnati's new star forward is only 19

A 19-year-old Venezuelan youth prospect, Kelsy arrives in Cincinnati with the expectation that he will fill the big shoes of U. S. Men's National Team forward Brandon Vazquez. Over the winter, he left Cincinnati for Liga MX's Monterrey. 

Vazquez contributed eight goals and four assists last season for Cincinnati, which earned the Supporters' Shield for the best MLS regular-season record. 

Vasquez is fast, physical and uncompromising, and Cincinnati has struggled to replicate its strong 2023 form without him. A like-for-like Vazquez replacement, Kelsy will be expected to change that narrative.

"We're thrilled to have Kevin [Kelsy] join the group," Cincinnati general manager Chris Albright said, per MLS.com. "He's a physically gifted forward with a strong mentality."

Kelsy is still a teen, but he has built an enviable career spanning three continents in his short time as a professional. He began his journey with Venezuelan club Mineros de Guayana before moving to Ukraine with FC Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023. 

As the prominent soccer team in Ukraine's war-torn Donbas region, Shakhtar faced unimaginable challenges during Kelsy's time with the club. It lost several players due to the conflict, via military drafts and voluntary departures, and played all its home games in neutral territory.

Incredibly, Shakhtar responded to those challenges by winning the Ukrainian league in 2023. It also qualified for the 2023-24 Champions League and significantly outperformed its expectations there.

Kelsy scored in Shakhtar's opening loss to FC Porto. From there, the team bounced back and beat Antwerp and Barcelona to claim third in the group.

With Champions League experience under his belt, Kelsy should bring physicality and on-the-ball skills to Cincinnati. 

"I can't wait to meet the fans," Kelsy said. 

FC Cincinnati is second in the Eastern Conference, three points behind leader Inter Miami. Kelsy's arrival — and his future partnership with Cincinnati's creative forward Lucho Acosta — could push Cincinnati to equal or better Miami's Lionel Messi-powered offense.

Cincinnati returns to MLS action Saturday at Orlando City.