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USL Insights – Tactical Edge

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/05/17, 10:59AM EDT

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Rowdies, FCC formation matchups make for intriguing ESPNU clash


Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

The Tampa Bay Rowdies play host to FC Cincinnati on Thursday night in the USL Game of the Week, with two of the biggest clubs, and some of the biggest names in the USL set to square off on ESPNU (8 p.m. ET | Preview). Adding to the matchup is the differing styles both clubs bring to the table, which should make for an interesting tactical battle.

LAST TIME AROUND

When they first met this season on April 19 at Nippert Stadium, the matchup was notable for the differing approaches the two sides found success with in terms of chance creation. For the Rowdies, while their lone goal of the game came on a wonder-strike by Marcel Schäfer, the bulk of their play was predicated on getting the ball into good wide positions to deliver into the penalty area.

Cincinnati on the other hand, although their goal in the 1-1 draw came from a corner kick headed home by Harrison Delbridge, had speed in the outer prongs of its three-man front line with Jimmy McLaughlin and Kadeem Dacres. FCC certainly tried to get the ball wide regularly, too, but the side also found success working in toward the top of the penalty area, allowing Djiby Fall to try and get in behind the back line for a through-ball.

Since then, FCC has made a significant change to its lineup, with the introduction of a 3-4-3 formation. Paul Nicholson has slid into a quasi-sweeper role, while Austin Berry and Harrison Delbridge have continued to pick up the marking duties. Set to go up against the Rowdies’ 4-2-3-1 system, it could make for some intriguing choices in lineup, and potential in-game adjustments, in what is a key game for both.

Assists + Chance Creation, CINvTBR 4/19/17
TBR (Green) / CIN (Blue)

IN THE MIDDLE


Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

The area the likely formations will play the biggest role is in the center of midfield, where the Rowdies should have a 3-on-2 advantage with their midfield triangle. Tampa Bay’s desire to control possession has been a hallmark of their seasons so far – the side averages 478 passes per game at an 80.6 completion rate. Most recently using Martin Vingaard and Keith Savage as ball-winners, and Joe Cole as the central pivot above them, the Rowdies should have a numerical advantage against whichever duo from Kenney Walker, Aodhan Quinn or Corben Bone FCC should employ.

That the Rowdies typically only use a lone striker could provide a solution for the visitors, though. With three center backs, it could fall to Nicholson to push into midfield from his free role to help keep Tampa Bay from breaking between the midfield and defensive lines FCC will try to establish. With plenty of experience as a defensive midfielder – which made him ideal to rove while Berry and Delbridge picked up man-to-man coverage – Nicholson’s performance could be key to his side holding the Rowdies at bay through the center.

ON THE FLANKS


Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

The equation is much simpler out wide; whoever wins the one-on-one battles will have a great chance at winning the game. Here’s also where FC Cincinnati might have an edge, thanks to the advanced starting positions that Tyler Polak and Matt Bahner are now employing as wingbacks in the formation.

Using potential overlaps or underlaps from the wide players – particularly if the speedy McLaughlin and Dacres are the starters and can stretch the Rowdies wide – the potential to work two-on-ones or pull a player out of position from the center to even the numbers up could give FCC a notable advantage.

That said, the Rowdies certainly can match up well here, even with the suspension of left back Luke Boden. FCC will need to keep an eye on Rowdies winger Darwin Jones, whose speed could be a major weapon on the counterattack, and if the Rowdies can get the upper hand in possession it could pin Polak and Bahner further back than they’d like in their efforts to join the attack. With both teams relatively even in execution out wide so far this season – FCC holds a 23%-19% edge in crossing accuracy, Tampa Bay a 55%-47% edge in completed dribbles – there’ll be plenty to watch for on ESPNU.

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