Brenner, Luciano Acosta earn MLS Team of the Week honors

Cincinnati Enquirer

FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta (10) directs play in the first half of an MLS soccer game against New York City FC, Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

FC Cincinnati (FCC) forward Brenner Souza da Silva has been named to the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi following his record-setting performance in Wednesday's game against New York City FC.

This is Brenner's second career-honoring since arriving to the Queen City as the largest, and most expensive, signing in the club's history in April 2021.

FC Cincinnati forward Brenner (9) celebrates a goal in the first half of an MLS soccer game against New York City FC, Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

He became the first player in FC Cincinnati's MLS history to record a hat-trick with his three goals on Wednesday night and his strike in the 70th minute proved to be the equalizer against the reigning MLS Cup champions.

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Brenner, 22, also set career-highs in shots with five and shots on target with four.

In addition to Brenner, midfielder Luciano Acosta received a spot on the Team of the Week's bench, following the scoring of his sixth goal of the season. He is also the leader in FCC history for assisted goals, marking his third ever on Wednesday. This is Acosta's fourth season-honoring, second on the bench.

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Together, the pair has become the fourth and fifth respective players to score three goals and assists in a game in club history, a press release from the team said.

They are the 13th and 14th players from the orange and blue to be placed on the league's weekly team honor board and 50th and 51st in history since FCC joined MLS in 2019.

Full Team of the Week list for Week 17

Forwards: Brenner, Cincinnati; Mason Toye, Montreal; Carlos Vela, Los Angeles

Midfielders: Daniel Pereira, Austin; Federico Navarro, Chicago; Emanuel Reynoso, Minnesota; Santiago Moreno, Portland

Defenders: Carlos Teran, Chicago; Sebastien Ibeagha, Los Angeles; Sean Nealis, New York Red Bulls

Goalkeeper: Eloy Room, Columbus

Coach: Wilfried Nancy, Montreal

Bench: Brad Stuver, Austin; Joel Waterman, Montreal; Jose Cifuentes, Los Angeles; Luciano Acosta, Cincinnati; Serge Ngoma, New York Red Bulls; Jacen Russell-Rowe, Columbus; Heber, NYCFC