AARON BOUPENDZA’S MURKY FUTURE WITH FC CINCINNATI
On June 12, 2023, triker Aaron Boupendza moved to FC Cincinnati from Al-Shabab FC of the Saudi Pro League. He scored five goals for the Gabon national team, finished with 63 goals in 138 professional games, and was regarded as a successful goal scorer with top division league experience throughout Asia.
Arriving Boupendza was essential to the club’s future and current state. In addition to providing insurance against Brandon Vazquez’s inevitable exit and serving as a direct replacement for the departing Brenner, he strengthened the 2023 regular season machine that won the Supporters’ Shield. Boupendza averaged a goal every 121 minutes or so in his 10 outings last season, scoring five times.
In his team debut, Boupendza scored in front of Bailey and in Toronto, he scored the goal that sealed the Shield. And with just over 20 minutes remaining in the East Final versus Columbus, the Orange and Blue would have been up 3-0 over the eventual MLS champions if the ball had ricocheted off his chest rather than his hand. Alternatively, Boupendza might be leaving the city.
How did we arrive at this position? First, these are the Boupendza occurrences that have been recorded by reliable sources or are known to the public:
was the supposed victim of a late-night fight at a downtown pizza shop, allegedly suffering from a broken jaw.
In the sex tape controversy, a victim of alleged extortion.
sent back to the United States by the Gabon national team in November while they were out on international assignment for missing a game.
FC Cincinnati suspended him in October after he arrived late from his overseas assignment.
