Brandon Vazquez might not have found the playing time he craved during his three years with Atlanta United, but he still enjoyed a memorable stay at the club.

Silverware. Winners' medals. His first professional goal, plus his scoring success in the U.S. Open Cup for the "Five Stripes."

Vazquez accomplished all that and more during his time in Atlanta.

On Saturday night, Vazquez will return to his old club and its home, Mercedes Benz Stadium, as an FC Cincinnati player. The game has the makings of a memorable moment in the forward's rising career.

Vazquez landed in Cincinnati in November and, prior to that, had only known Atlanta United as far as his time in MLS was concerned.

He also only knew of playing behind Josef Martinez, Atlanta's show-stopping attacker. That was the main motivation for Vazquez's move to Cincinnati – moving out from behind Martinez and stepping into a bigger role.

Vazquez still has to contend with a name-brand attacking player at FC Cincinnati in Jürgen Locadia, but the move away from Atlanta already looks like a wise one.

In his FC Cincinnati debut last weekend, Vazquez started and earned an assist in the club's 3-2 loss to New York Red Bulls. His hold-up play on the goal and centering pass left Allan Cruz with an easy finish that helped turn momentum in FCC's favor.

With Locadia likely available to start this weekend at Atlanta, it's not necessarily a forgone conclusion Vazquez will see the field, but if he does, he'll be highly motivated.

"Of course, going back to a place where I scored my first professional goal and spent the beginning of my career," Vazquez said, "and of course being back in Atlanta is always something that I will look forward to."

There's a blueprint in the FC Cincinnati locker room for how to make a successful return trip to Atlanta. Left back Greg Garza drew it up when he in 2019 returned to Mercedes-Benz Stadium as a member of the opposition for the first time with FCC.

Garza received a standing ovation from a standing-room-only crowd, which gathered for Atlanta's 2019 home opener – the first game back in the arena since the MLS Cup victory against Portland Timbers in December 2018.

"I got the chills going on in that game," Garza said. "Having 72,000 people giving you a standing ovation is something I think I'll never forget within my career and I think it just showed a bit of everything that I had within that city, not only with that team but also with the fans and the community and that was something very special for me."

Vazquez has indicated on social media that he's aware of the potential for a special return trip to his former club. He's also seems to be proceeding cautiously this week so as not to make himself the biggest story in the contest.

For instance, Vazquez said Thursday he hasn't had any big discussion about his return with former teammates.

"Just small talk," Vazquez said. "Not really long (conversations), no. For me, there's still that intensity for the weekend so I'm really focused on that part."

Vazquez said he also hasn't approached Garza about his experience returning to Atlanta last season, but suggested he might reach out to him for advice.

If Vazquez seeks Garza out, the veteran defender said he knew exactly what he'd tell his 21-year-old teammate.

"I think every word that I had from (the coaches) even before I put on my jersey and got shin pads on, everything was just 'enjoy it. It's your moment to enjoy,'" Garza said. "And for me, I think I had lifted a trophy (with Atlanta) maybe (four) months before that game, so it was a big moment for myself and that's exactly what I would tell (Vazquez). Just enjoy the moment. You don't get many moments like that in your career. There are very little ups in your career and a lot of downs, so the ones that you are up and can hold on to forever, those are the ones that mean the most.