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USL Insights – Open Cup Decision

By CHRIS HOCKMAN - chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, 08/14/17, 1:13PM EDT

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What options does FCC have as it squares off with the Red Bulls?


Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – Entering the biggest game in Cincinnati soccer history, FC Cincinnati will do battle with New York Red Bulls in its 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal at Nippert Stadium on Tuesday night as it looks to continue its remarkable run in this year's tournament. That gives FCC Head Coach Alan Koch a number of decisions to make, with perhaps the biggest to look at the formation employed.

Here are three options that could start the game for FCC as it looks to become the first USL club to reach the tournament's final since the Charleston Battery in 2008.

4-2-3-1

The 4-2-3-1 is a formation that has been in vogue in recent years, and one that FC Cincinnati has used this season. It allows flexibility to pull wingers forward and back, depending on the situation of the game and what team is in possession. That makes it attractive in a match like a cup semifinal where a side will go through periods it is just looking to defend.

In Andrew Wiedeman and Jimmy McLaughlin, FCC has two wingers who can make those long runs forward and back to support their team as needed, while in Danni König they have a strong man up top who can both score, or hold the ball up and lay it off for one of the three attacking midfielders to run on to. Add in Kenney Walker and Aodhan Quinn’s ability to play good balls into space while they protect the back four, and the chance to try and hit the Red Bulls II on the counterattack could open up.

A formation which balances attack and defense, which is why it is so popular, could be very useful for FC Cincinnati in this match, and will almost certainly become the formation at some point in the match, if the side doesn’t start with it.

4-3-3

A 4-3-3 will provide FC Cincinnati with plenty of attacking options, while making sure they remain responsible at the back, it allows a team to attack, without over committing, and given a cup match is a single elimination match, starting with a 4-3-3 and nabbing an early goal could be a smart move from Cincinnati.

Wiedeman and McLaughlin provide good support for König up front, and would be capable of producing at least one goal. While Matt Bahner and Josu at the back would be a vital part of this formation, Josu has a passing accuracy of 71.3% and Bahner’s sits at 76%, both will need to be hitting the top of their distribution rates in this formation as they will be a vital part of how the ball is passed throughout the team.

Maybe the most important part of the formation, though, will be the midfield trio of Kenney Walker, Corben Bone and Aodhan Quinn. Limiting the opportunities of Red Bulls playmaker Sacha Kljestan is going to be crucial for the hosts as he and Bradley Wright-Phillips look to combine. Making sure the passing lanes into the top of the penalty area are taken care of is going to be essential no matter the formation.

While 4-3-3 is almost certainly not going to be the formation used for the entire match, it may not be a bad move for Koch to start with the formation and look to catch New York Red Bulls off guard.

3-5-2

The 3-5-2 allows a team to control midfield, and thus the match as a whole, a useful way to play in a cup match, with the two wing-backs able to push up and back as needed, making for a strong defense or attack. It is a formation that FC Cincinnati have utilized to good effect throughout the season, and proved especially useful in the Open Cup.

In a 3-5-2 look for Matt Bahner and Josu to push up and back on the wings, with both players capable of defending well and supporting the front two. In Andrew Wiedeman, Danni König will have the support he needs, with Wiedeman likely to have the option to drop underneath between the Red Bulls' midfield and defensive lines to find space.

The back three of Harrison Delbridge, Justin Hoyte, and Austin Berry are strong, and will need to be against a strong Red Bulls attack, while the central midfield three have good distribution rates. Look for Jimmy McLaughlin and Corben Bone to use their speed to join the attack should König hold up possession near midfield, allowing the midfielders to try and get in behind the Red Bulls' defense.

3-5-2 looks like a probable formation for this huge match on Tuesday, giving a control of midfield that could calm his team in front of a packed house producing an electric atmosphere.

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