FC Cincinnati head coach Jaap Stam made four changes to the starting lineup ahead of Saturday night’s matchup with the New York Red Bulls.
Frankie Amaya, Nick Hagglund, Spencer Richey and Brandon Vazquez replace Siem de Jong, Mathieu Deplagne, Caleb Stanko and Przemysław Tytoń in the starting XI.
About the changes
Hagglund will make his first start in the 2020 season against the Red Bulls after his two previous appearances came as a substitute.
Vazquez, who broke FCC’s scoring drought last week, starts for the first time since March 1 – the season opener against the Red Bulls in Red Bull Arena. He has a goal and an assist through his first two matches at the stadium this season.
Richey is back in goal for the first time since March 7 at Atlanta United FC. Richey sustained a head injury during the MLS is Back Tournament that sidelined the goalkeeper for months.
Amaya is back in the starting XI after missing last Saturday’s match with a one-match ban due to yellow card accumulation.
About the absentees
De Jong is a late scratch after picking up an injury. Jimmy McLaughlin and Saad Abdul-Salaam will also miss the match with injuries.
Similar to Amaya last week, Deplagne will miss the game due to yellow card accumulation. He’ll be available for next week’s game against the Philadelphia Union at Nippert Stadium.
With full support from the club, Tytoń traveled back to Poland for personal reasons and is now back in Cincinnati in quarantine. He’ll be available once he clears MLS health and safety protocols.
New signings Álvaro Barreal and Kamohelo Mokotjo will be added to the roster upon the receipt of their International Transfer Certificate, P1 Visa and completion of any mandatory quarantine period under local government and MLS health and safety protocol.
