FC Cincinnati defender Ronald Matarrita played through a calf injury in the May 29 loss to New England, which at the time wasn't a major deal because the club had three weeks before the next game.
Now the international break is winding down, Matarrita's health status still is a concern as the team medical staff assessed his leg Tuesday ahead of Cincinnati's Saturday, June 19, match at TQL Stadium against the Colorado Rapids.
Matarrita rehabbed the injury throughout the break and by Monday was running again, although he didn't participate in the early portion of Tuesday's training session at the Mercy Health Training Center.
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Matarrita's proven himself to be one of the most important players for FCC this season, and one of its best offseason pick-ups. His defensive work has been sound and he's contributed to the attack with a team-leading three assists.
Matarrita's started and played every minute of FC Cincinnati's first six matches.
The injury forced him to withdraw from Costa Rica national team commitments for friendlies as well as Concacaf Nations League play earlier this month.
The Colorado match is the first of three games for FC Cincinnati next week and head coach Jaap Stam is likely to rotate his squad and lean on the depth pieces within the roster, but Matarrita still would be considered a mainstay for FCC if he can recover from the injury.
Edgar Castillo, who hasn't made an appearance for FC Cincinnati yet this season, is the backup at left back to Matarrita.
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