FC Cincinnati will play with a 'No. 10' this season

As Futbol Club Cincinnati approaches its third season in the United Soccer League and second under head coach Alan Koch, the club will have a new look and feel to its playing style.

Naturally, that makes sense. After all, only nine players from the current roster of 24 were actually team members when FC Cincinnati last played Oct. 21 in the USL Playoffs.

Since then, Koch has actively recruited talent from around the league, the country and internationally.

But the club will change its tactics, too.

When Koch returned from his 13-day international recruiting trip in November, he told The Enquirer his 2018 plans involve new base formations.

In 2018, Cincinnati will use the 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 formations as their primary formations, and then adjust as necessary.

"I’m building the group right now around two systems that are very flexible, the 4-2-3-1 and the 3-4-3," Koch said in November. "I’m certainly not saying those are the systems we’re going to play, but that’s how we’re building it right now and I anticipate we’ll likely start the preseason in one of those systems."

The 3-4-3 formation will be fairly similar to last season. For context, that formation is three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards. FC Cincinnati frequently used this lineup during the 2017 season, often times using the three defenders as center-backs, while using the outside midfielders as full-backs who played a hybrid between midfielder and defense.

As for the 4-2-3-1, Cincinnati would have four defenders, two of which can be hybrid fullbacks. But in addition, the "2" would be holding midfielders who'd act as a first line of defense that an opposing team would face.

From there, the three midfielders would likely consistent of two outside wings who offer pace and goal-scoring capability, while the center-attacking mid would be utilized for create chances for others and occasionally for himself. The one is the forward.

FC Cincinnati didn't use a center-attacking mid – often referred to as a No. 10 – last season. This offseason, however, Koch has recruited attacking mids who would fit the role. Nazmi Albadawi, who signed played with the club Monday, is a prime example.

"When you build a group, I think it’s imperative you build the group around at least one, if not a few systems of play," Koch said in November. "Otherwise, hypothetically, you could be bringing in four players that play the No. 10 position and then you play with a 4-4-2 and you’re not even playing with a No. 10, so it doesn’t make any sense."

FC Cincinnati did use the 4-4-2 formation last season as well, which included two strikers on the field at once. Often times the two were Danni Konig and Djiby Fall.

In 2016, former head coach John Harkes played in a 4-3-3 formations, which saw players often leaving their designated area on the field to fluidly move with the flow of the match. That would be considered a heavily-attacking formation, while a 3-4-3 is still aggressive. The 4-2-3-1 is more balanced between attacking and defending.