July 23, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release
The Argentine duo weren’t the only members of the Orange and Blue to make their mark on the All-Star festivities. Academy product Stefan Chirila and Will Kuisel were key players in the MLS East at the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, an event focused on highlighting the best of the best in the MLS Academy system across the league.
The MLS NEXT East All-Stars won 4-2 against the MLS NEXT West All-Stars, with Kirilia securing the win with his fourth goal in the 90th minute.
Chirila has become a name to remember this summer. The striker was named MLS NEXT MVP for his age group and won the Golden Boot at the Generation adidas Cup. He scored over 40 goals for Young Garys in all competitions last season and has already signed a MLS NEXT Pro contract with FC Cincinnati 2 this summer, as well as a first-team contract with FC Cincinnati starting next season as a homegrown player.
Left-back for the U17 squad, Kaiser has been with the FCC Academy since the age of 13 alongside Cyrilla (before joining FCC 2) and has transitioned from winger to centre-back and now full-back at the club. A late addition to the squad, Kaiser was only informed four days before he was selected for the All-Star squad, ensuring his entire family could be there to watch him at the crucial moment.
“It was like a fever dream,” Küzel said after the game. “I was really nervous, but as soon as I got here, it was so much fun… The opportunity to play with great players, to chill with them, to learn, it was really great. It was a really good experience.”
Last week was a big one for Cuciel. He said he learned to emulate the Argentine star by watching FCC All-Star Orellano closely. The 17-year-old made his MLS NEXT Pro debut last week with FC Cincinnati 2 after four years in the academy.
“The two games last week were really turning points in my career and my life,” Kuziel added.
Chirila and Kusiel came on in the second half, with both teams making full changes in the first half. As an attacker, Chirila has been a good fit with Philadelphia Union youngsters Cavan Sullivan and Diego Rocio. The three were teammates at Philly Union before Chrilia moved to Cincinnati.
“I think we had a really good relationship. We’ve only known each other for 24 hours? But I think we looked like a real team,” Crilia said after the game. “I’ve known (Sullivan and Rocio) for a long time and they’re really good players. Sullivan played two years earlier. They’re both really good players. So I had a good relationship with them.”
Sullivan, who recently became the youngest player in MLS history at age 14, has already signed with Manchester City of the English Premier League and has become one of the most exciting young American players of all time. In the 90th minute, Sullivan passed to Cyrilla, who ran and finished beautifully into the far post as the East won 4-2 over the West.
“I’m so grateful to FC Cincinnati for giving me this opportunity,” Krira said of being an All-Star. “Even a year ago, I would never have thought I’d be here, training with the first team, playing with the second team, signing a (MLS Homegrown) contract. It’s still surreal to be here. So I’m so grateful to FC Cincinnati for believing in me and giving me this opportunity and this chance.”
This story is excerpted from “FC Cincinnati’s standouts shine a light on the present and future on day two of MLS All-Star festivities.”
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