Former Vermont Green FC defender Ayoub Lajhar made his Major League Soccer debut on Saturday night for FC Cincinnati. The 2024 and 2025 Vermont Green alum came on as a 79th minute substitute in a 2-0 win over Red Bull New York.
Lajhar attended Brattleboro High School and Vermont Academy before starring at the University of Connecticut. Born in Libya, Lajhar played two summers for the Green in Burlington, winning the 2025 USL2 national championship last August.
“I’m very grateful for the [FC Cincinnati] staff and for the club and for giving me the opportunity and putting faith and trust in me to give me my debut, ” said Lajhar after his MLS debut.
The 21-year old left back was drafted with the 55th overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft by FC Cincinnati, and made his first team debut earlier this year in Concacaf Champions Cup against O&M FC. He recorded two assists off the bench in Cincinnati’s 9-0 win.
Congratulations, Ayoub! You’re making Vermont proud.
