FC Cincinnati head coach Jaap Stam made four changes ahead of Sunday night’s clash with Toronto FC at Nippert Stadium.
Saad Abdul-Salaam, Álvaro Barreal, Nick Hagglund and Brandon Vazquez replace Allan Cruz, Greg Garza, Jürgen Locadia, and Kendall Waston in the starting XI.
About the changes
Abdul-Salaam makes his first appearance for Cincinnati since July 22, when the team beat the New York Red Bulls, 1-0, in the MLS is Back Tournament.
Barreal, who made his FCC and MLS debut on Wednesday night, makes his first start for the Orange and Blue.
Hagglund, who contracted coronavirus and has since recovered, returns to the lineup for the first time since Sept. 23 against the Philadelphia Union.
Vazquez makes his first start since Sept. 26 at New York City FC. Of the new additions to the starting lineup, he’s the only player who’s appeared in every match since that matchup against NYCFC.
Haris Medunjanin will wear the captain armband tonight for the first time since he joined the club.
Additionally, Siem de Jong is available for the first time since Sept. 12 at the Red Bulls after recovering from an injury. Andrew Gutman also returns to the matchday squad after an injury that’s kept him sidelined since Sept. 26.
About the absentees
Garza and Locadia will miss the game Sunday night with lingering injuries, while Waston picked up an injury yesterday in training. Tom Pettersson is unavailable with an illness.
