Gustavo Vallecilla

FC Cincinnati originally acquired Gustavo Vallecilla on April 5, 2021 on loan from SD Aucas (Ecuador). On December 1, 2021, FCC triggered the buy option in Vallecilla’s contract, adding him to the 2022 roster.

2021 (FC Cincinnati): Made 25 appearances, all starts, after joining the Orange and Blue in May … debuted on May 16 in the TQL Stadium opener, where he started and went 78 minutes … scored the game-winner in his second outing on May 22 at CF Montréal, where his 86th minute header was the difference in the 2-1 win … his other goal also came at CF Montréal (July 17) in the high-scoring 5-4 defeat … was on the field for five of the six club clean sheets … missed much of the final month of the season after suffering an injury vs. Philadelphia Union (Oct. 9), but returned for the final match on Decision Day vs. Atlanta United FC (Nov. 7) where he started and played the full 90 minutes.

OUTSIDE MLS: In his career, the center back made 47 career appearances, including 27 starts, across all competitions since earning his first professional appearance at 17 years old with Deportivo Cuenca … Vallecilla had spent the entirety of his career prior to FCC in Ecuador, having played for Deportivo Cuenca (2016-18), SD Aucas (2019-2021) and Barcelona SC Guayaquil (2020) on loan … with SD Aucas before being loaned to Cincinnati had made four appearances in 2021.

INTERNATIONAL: Made his senior team debut with the Ecuador National Team on December 5, 2021 at PNC Stadium in Houston, Texas against El Salvador, where he started and played 76 minutes at center back … made over 20 appearances with Ecuador Youth National Teams including the U23’s and U20’s.