Charlie Hatch | chatch@enquirer.com

Mike Nyerges

Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Will Seymore spread his arms wide and yelled.

Futbol Club Cincinnati had just beaten Indy Eleven 1-0, and for the the second time in as many matches, the holding midfielder helped his new club earn a clean sheet. But the end of the Indy match was different.

Whereas Seymore played a late role in FC Cincinnati's first win, his second appearance meant replacing an injured Kenney Walker 17 minutes into the match. Then and for the remaining time, Seymore produced a strong performance that points to his first start this coming Saturday when Cincinnati hosts its home opener.

"You always gotta be ready, whether coming on in the 90th minute or the first minute," he said after training Tuesday afternoon. "It's just a mentality thing."

And that's what happened.

In FC Cincinnati's win at Lucas Oil Stadium, the starting 11 was deployed as the same one used in the March 17 win over the Charleston Battery. Both matches had identical score lines, but different paths to get to that point.

On Saturday, Cincinnati immediately had to play catch up after Walker was blindsided by Indy forward Jack McInerney in the fourth minute. No foul was called.

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Tuesday night, the Eleven announced their player would serve a one-match ban for the challenge. As for Walker, he tried to continue playing but was subbed in the 17th minute. He has since been diagnosed with a minor concussion.

"It’s not easy in a game like that where your player gets taken out like Kenney was, to go in and embrace that role," FC Cincinnati head coach Alan Koch said on Tuesday of Seymore's performance. "I was very, very happy with how Will came in and embraced that role right away. He’s gonna go in and do a lot of the dirty work for the team that sets him up for success, sets everyone around him up for success."

At practice Tuesday, Walker was there, but didn't participate. The other injured holding mid is Tyler Gibson, who broke his leg in preseason and rode a bike during practice. His teammates applauded him.

But with the current injuries, a club that's been praised for its depth will now likely need to prove it Saturday night when it hosts rival Louisville City FC. If Seymore starts, it'll be his first start for the club.

"There’s a reason he’s here," Koch said. "He’s a player that I would reference as a soldier. He’s gonna come in and he’s gonna do a job."

Signed in the offseason from Vancouver Whitecaps 2 on Nov. 21, Seymore is a 26-year-old American who grew up playing in England. Eventually, he was a third-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. But during his time for the Whitecaps 2, he played under Koch, who was his coach at the time.

Matt Kryger/IndyStar

His signing to FC Cincinnati meant Koch could bring in someone he already had experience with. For Seymore, he said it's beneficial to know Koch's tendencies and what how he expects his team to play.

"Anything I can do to help the team and help other players, that’s what we’re all here for, to help each other win," Seymore said.

If he does replace Walker in the starting lineup, he'll probably line up alongside Richie Ryan, who's also making his Nippert debut. As for expectations, the match's attendance could double the largest crowd Seymore has played in front of previously.

"It’ll be new for me," he said. "When I’m warming up I’ll take five minutes and think, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’ But as soon as you step over the white line, you’ve got a job to do."

Koch expects to know more about Walker's health as the week continues. If Seymore is added to the lineup, his coach is comfortable with the midfielder.