After weeks of FC Cincinnati Interim Head Coach struggling to even fill a full lineup card with 18 names, Saturday night’s match against the Houston Dynamo sees a return of players from injury, suspension AND international duty.
Allan Cruz, Kendall Waston and Alvas Powell are back from the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, while Fanendo Adi returns from injury and Leo Bertone returns following a one-match suspension.
About the starters
Damet made three changes to the starting lineup, with Cruz, Waston and Bertone replacing Caleb Stanko, Victor Ulloa and Eric Alexander.
Cruz starts for the first time since June 1 against the Colorado Rapids. Waston returns to the XI for the first time since May 25 against the New York Red Bulls. Bertone’s last start was June 22 when FCC hosted the LA Galaxy.
About the substitutes
Adi is available for the first time since June 19, when he suffered a hamstring injury against Saint Louis FC in the fifth round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. His last MLS match was June 6 at New York City FC. Similar to Cruz, Powell’s last match was June at Colorado.
Absences
Fatai Alashe (hamstring), Roland Lamah (hamstring) and Greg Garza (calf) are unavailable against Houston. Darren Mattocks is currently in Jamaica after a family situation required his return immediately following the Gold Cup.
