The last couple of months have been tough for interim FC Cincinnati coach Yoann Damet, and with a limited roster no sign of relief appears in sight. 

Promoted after the surprise early ouster of Alan Koch, Damet has guided the Orange and Blue to one Major League Soccer win and one U.S. Open Cup win against six combined losses.

While FCC skidded into the middle of the MLS schedule, Damet has continued to stay upbeat despite heading into games and practices without 18 players due to injuries and international call-ups. 

FCC fans continue to show support, selling out Nippert Stadium last weekend against LA, filling the stands with 32.250 fans. 

“The support of the fans is huge,” Damet said. “There is a vision from the club. We try to implement a lot of things to build that club philosophy so the support is huge. “

FCC travels to Allianz Field this weekend, visiting Minnesota United FC. Damet appears ready to travel without a roster of 18, the same scenario the club faced against LA. 

FCC had 16 on the roster against LA, the first time in club history it didn’t roster 18; FCC has stayed shorthanded, practicing Wednesday with only 15 players. 

Allan Cruz and Kendall Waston currently reside with the Costa Rica national club while Darren Mattocks and Alvas Powell are playing for Jamaica. Greg Garza (calf), Roland Lamah (hamstring), and Jimmy McLaughlin (ACL) are out and Fanendo Adi and Fatao Alashe are questionable with hamstrings issues. 

Starting center midfielder Leo Bertone will miss this week’s game due to yellow card suspension and Kenny Saief is out of the country awaiting the termination of his loan between FCC and R.S.C Anderlecht. 

FCC recalled defender Logan Gdula from USL’s Hartford Athletic. Gdula started six games for Hartford and should provide support for the Orange and Blue’s depleted backline. 

Damet has preached possession and has shown he will play the same formation, even if it means players will roll into spots they haven’t played before. 

In the past two games FCC has played Fatai Alashe and Caleb Stanko, both traditionally center midfielders, at right back while Powell is away and Garza nurses his injury. 

Damet said the situation isn’t one he likes but one FCC will have to deal with as it builds a system for not only this season but the future.

“For sure, you have to assess of the good thing and the bad thing about it, keeping the same system,” Damet said. “It is not ideal to have two midfielders play right back the last two games. It is a question I ask myself and the staff if we want to change everything for that or if we want to keep the system for the whole group or rather for one player in one position.”

Despite the losses and depleted roster, Damet continues to see improvement. 

“I think there is a lot of good things to take from the game,” Said Damet of the 2-0 loss to LA. “There are good things. There are also moments where we need to be better.”

Koch played a direct over the top style and Damet has been more focused on possession. 

“I see a bit of improvement in every game,” Damet said. “I see positive things to take out of every game. In terms of content I see a lot of good things. For now we lack consistency. We need to be better for 90 plus minutes. We want to be more consistent and have better performances over the next couple of weeks.”

GAME: FCC (3-12-2) vs Minnesota United FC (6-7-3)

DATE: Saturday, June 29

WHERE: Allianz Field, St Paul Minn.

TIME: 4 pm ET

TV: ESPN