Major League Soccer’s regular season concludes this weekend with Decision Day. Speaking of decisions, FC Cincinnati made two significant moves in recent days. As they strive to continue their ongoing success.

FC Cincinnati will close out the regular season on Saturday. Taking on Atlanta United at TQL Stadium at 6 PM Eastern. There have been a few front office developments heading into that game. On Tuesday, the team announced head coach Pat Noonan’s contract extension. Since being hired by the team two years ago. Noonan led the club to their first MLS Cup Playoff appearance last year. Then to winning Major League Soccer’s Supporters Shield this year.

Last week, FC Cincinnati’s general manager Chris Albright agreed to a long-term extension. Albright and Noonan have become one of Cincinnati’s sports most dynamic duos. Their contract extensions are happening as FC Cincinnati heads into a promising future. As they strive to add the MLS Cup to their trophy case. The team will also face some big decisions regarding their roster in the future.

FC Cincinnati’s success is attracting national and international interest. With teams hoping they can woo some of FC Cincinnati’s biggest stars. Brandon Vazquez is hoping to take the next big step in his career. In an interview on the Offside with Taylor Twellman podcast last week. Vazquez told Twellman that he hopes to win the MLS Cup with FCC. Then eventually transfer to a European club. It’s nothing against Cincinnati, playing abroad is one of Vazquez’s longstanding career goals.

Vazquez hopes that playing in Europe could help him in one major way. By getting more playing time with the U.S. Men’s National Team. As he hopes to be on the team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup roster. Vazquez hasn’t appeared in the USMNT’s fall international matches. Despite doing well in his USMNT appearances earlier this year. Playing in friendly matches and during the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer. He has four goals in his eight USMNT matches to date.

Vazquez isn’t the only FCC player that could soon land a lucrative transfer. Given the MVP award-worthy season Luciano Acosta is having. Teams would be foolish to not express interest in Acosta. Especially given his presence as a leader amongst the players. Both stats-wise and often as the club’s matchday captain.

Alvaro Barreal could generate interest from major foreign clubs. Matt Miazga has USMNT and English Premier League experience. Given the season he’s having, it wouldn’t be surprising if a Premier League team expresses interest in him. FC Cincinnati could struggle to keep the lineup they currently have. Yet, this potential problem could be a big opportunity for FC Cincinnati.

While it would be nice if FCC maintained their current roster for many more years. FCC could benefit from landing some lucrative transfers. The team has managed well after Brenner’s transfer earlier this year. The bigger concern is who the team would get; to fill the void left by transferring players. Especially if those transferring players include FCC’s top scorers. Despite this, there are reasons to feel optimistic about FC Cincinnati’s future.

FC Cincinnati are doing well in the transfer market. Aaron Boupendza is playing well with FC Cincinnati. After being added to the roster through a transfer in June. Sergio Santos and Matt Miazga were added through transfers within the last two years. Those deals have worked out well so far for FC Cincinnati.

Two things could help FCC if they need to boost their roster. First, Vazquez’s hopes to eventually play in Europe highlights a problem for MLS. That FC Cincinnati and other MLS teams can use as an advantage. Some players view MLS as a steppingstone to a higher profile league. Soccer is one of the few major sports in the world, where America’s top domestic league isn’t the dominant one.

There are phenomenal players in the U.S. and elsewhere that are being overlooked. FC Cincinnati can provide valuable experience for those players. They’re doing so now with Miazga, Acosta and Barreal. FC Cincinnati’s academy players could also get more MLS experience. Players that could be the next generation’s big stars. In baseball, the Cincinnati Reds benefitted this year from their farm system. So did teams that qualified for the MLB Postseason.

The second thing helping FC Cincinnati is the club’s ongoing success. Players would be attracted to play for a winning team. One that seems poised to continue their success over the next several years. Along with playing for Pat Noonan, a respected head coach. While also playing in front of an enthusiastic fan base.

Given Noonan and GM Chris Albright’s recent extensions. Plus, the club’s success on and off of the pitch. FC Cincinnati is showing this year that they’re capable of building a trophy-winning roster. Now, they’ll face their biggest challenge in club history. Through being the top seed in the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs.

Despite all of the transfer talk brought up in this article. Winning the MLS Cup is the biggest immediate goal for FC Cincinnati. Players career aspirations will be enhanced by winning the cup. Plus, as long as we’re delving into aspirations. Cincinnati sports fans are always eager for a victory celebration.