On Monday, FC Cincinnati announced the acquisition of forward Victor Mansaray from the Seattle Sounders on loan. The 19 year-old is the fourth attacking player to join the Ohio club this offseason. FC Cincinnati finished third overall on points in 2016, but they ranked 10th in goals scored. Offensive improvement has been identified as a priority for club’s sophomore campaign.
FC Cincinnati Lands Seattle Talent Mansaray on Loan
A Sounders academy product, Mansaray signed a Homegrown contract with the club in 2014 at the tender age of 17. A native of Sierra Leone, he and his family spent time in Jamaica before settling in Washington state, south of Seattle. He made his MLS debut for the Sounders in a scoreless draw against FC Dallas in 2015, and logged three appearances with the MLS team. In 2015-2016, Mansaray accumulated games and minutes with USL’s Seattle Sounders 2. He scored five goals in 19 appearances last season. Mansaray will have a familiar face to greet him when he arrives. He and newly acquired forward Andy Craven overlapped in Seattle during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Mansaray is a member of the US Soccer Youth National team setup, featuring for both the U-18 and U-20 teams. He is currently participating in the January 2017 US U-20 camp in Orlando, under the supervision of head coach Tab Ramos. If selected, he would participate in the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Costa Rica, which lasts through early March. Four teams from that tournament will participate in the 2017 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in South Korea this May. He has made 16 total appearances for the US and scored two goals for his adopted country.
Mansaray fits the profile of a promising young striker that can fill the void left by Sean Okoli. MLS scouting reports on Mansaray describe him as a “natural wide player”, but he has featured as a center forward more recently with Sounders 2. Head coach John Harkes will host an interesting and competitive preseason as he attempts to integrate the newly acquired firepower into a system that produces goals and results.
FC Cincinnati’s second season begins on March 25th when they face the Charleston Battery at MUSC Health Stadium.
