Patrick Brennan

pbrennan@enquirer.com

Futbol Club Cincinnati's ranks swelled briefly this past weekend via its second-ever loan deal, but that deal quickly ran its course.

FC Cincinnati confirmed Monday that short-term loanee Cristian Martinez of Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew SC returned to the Columbus organization following FC Cincinnati's Saturday match against the Richmond Kickers.

MORE: FC Cincy earns point at Richmond

Martinez started the match and registered one shot. His "game-by-game" basis loan was not extended to Saturday's FC Cincinnati home match against Orlando City B (5 p.m.).

The move to bring Martinez in was likely in response to recent shakeups with FC Cincinnati's first team, which is battling both injury and suspension.

Former Premier League defender Justin Hoyte missed his fifth consecutive match Saturday through a hamstring injury while midfielder Kenney Walker, the team leader in assists (four), was also unavailable at Richmond due to injury.

Leading goal scorer Djiby Fall missed the Richmond match as he served the second match of his six-match suspension.

Striker Andy Craven was also unavailable to head FC Cincinnati coach Alan Koch as Craven began his four-match suspension.

United Soccer League rules allow FC Cincinnati to roster up to 30 players. The team started the 2017 season with 25 players but quickly added a 26th when Hoyte was signed two games into the season.

Eighteen players dress for matches.