Since the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup started in mid-June, an overarching question around FC Cincinnati was how would the club produce results with key players away at the international tournament.
The answer was not well, but that’s now in the past.
When the Orange and Blue kick off Saturday night against the Houston Dynamo at Nippert Stadium, the match will be the first with the club inching back to its pre-Gold Cup identity.
Winger Allan Cruz, who hasn’t played for Cincinnati since June 1, is back with his MLS side, where he’s tied for a team-high two goals. As for captain and center back Kendall Waston, an appearance against Houston would be his first league game since May 25.
But the duo being away with the Costa Rica National Team doesn’t mean they don’t feel a responsibility from the club’s current form, though – even if they weren’t available for matches.
“I feel a part of it,” Waston said. “Even though I’m not playing, everybody’s involved. So, no one has any excuse and no one is out of it. From the beginning until the end, everyone’s (together). I just want Saturday to come so we can play and give three points for the fans.”
Their return is welcoming.
Against Cincinnati’s loss at Minnesota United FC, the club only fielded 16 players on its squad card, which is fewest amount of players for a league match in team history. Two players back available – and more importantly, two starters – should provide stability and relief.
“We’re really happy,” Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet said of Cruz and Waston returning. “We need everyone. Everyone’s important for us … For sure I’m disappointed for them because I was hoping for them to have a better run in the Gold Cup, but I’m also happy for us. It’s going to be good for us in the next weeks.”
Match Info
FC Cincinnati against Houston Dynamo
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Nippert Stadium
Weather Forecast: Chance of Rain, 80 degrees
TV: WSTR Star64
Local Video Stream: FloFC
Out-of-Market Video Steam: ESPN+
Local Radio: WDJO (99.5 FM | 107.9 FM | 1480 AM)
Audio Stream: TuneIn App, fccincinnati.com
Opponent’s Player to Watch: Forward Alberth Elis
The Designated Player from Honduras leads the Houston attack with seven goals and seven assists through 13 matches. Because Honduras was eliminated from the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup in the group stage, Elis should be available and be a threat to Cincinnati’s backline.
Player to Watch and his Health Carousel Player Resume
Club Connections:
- Eric Alexander played for the Dynamo in 2017 and 2018.
- Jimmy McLaughlin and Eric Bird were on the Philadelphia Union roster in 2015.
- Fatai Alashe and Darwin Cerén played for the San Jose Earthquakes in 2016 and 2017.
- Goalkeeper Coach Jack Stern and Chris Duvall were with the Montreal Impact in 2017.
- Victor Ulloa and Maynor Figueroa were at FC Dallas from 2016-18. Roland Lamah was there for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
- Corben Bone and Tommy McNamara were on the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2015.
- Forrest Lasso and Memo Rodríguez played for the Charleston Battery in 2015.
- Jack Stern and Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet were in the Montreal organization when Michael Salazar played there (2016-17).
