An FC Cincinnati player tests positive for COVID-19 after playing against the Union

Two days after hosting the Union, FC Cincinnati announced Friday that one of its players has tested positive for COVID-19. The player hasn’t been named and likely won’t be, but a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Inquirer that the player played in Wednesday’s game.

Cincinnati found out about the positive test result Friday morning, after the test was administered Thursday. A second test was conducted Friday, and the result was expected by Saturday morning. If it’s negative, the player will take a third test. If it’s positive, the case will be confirmed, and contact tracing will start.

For now, FC Cincinnati has the player and the team observing all of the necessary quarantine protocols.

Cincinnati’s next game is Saturday night against New York City FC at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., City’s temporary home during the pandemic. The visitors will fly in and out on the day of the contest, which is a MLS rule these days, if the game goes ahead.

The Union were unaware of the matter until Friday’s public announcement. Their next game is against Inter Miami on Sunday (7:30 p.m., PHL17) in the expansion team’s first visit to Chester.

Players and team staff who will be at Subaru Park that night will undergo a round of virus testing Saturday, which is always done the day before a game. Results would be back by Sunday morning.

Inter’s new star Gonzalo Higuaín could make his MLS debut here if his visa paperwork clears in time. Higuaín has been able to practice since Tuesday, when he emerged from travel quarantine. Manager Diego Alonso said Friday that Higuaín will travel north with the team in the hopes of being able to play. Whether the government’s immigration paperwork processors work Saturday is unknown.

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