Patrick Brennan

pbrennan@enquirer.com

The latest addition to Futbol Club Cincinnati's technical staff appears set to push forward the club's efforts to build a youth academy.

FC Cincinnati announced Wednesday the hiring of Alan Koch, formerly the head coach of the United Soccer League's Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 for two seasons. Koch will serve Cincinnati as both assistant coach and director of scouting and analytics.

Koch brings with him to Cincinnati experience within a Major League Soccer organization, success as a USL head coach, a multitude of coaching licenses and, by many accounts, an eye for identifying and developing talent.

Koch's hire comes as FC Cincinnati continues to weigh how its youth academy could one day look – a subject FC Cincinnati President and General Manager Jeff Berding discussed Tuesday with The Enquirer. It appears Koch will lead the club's youth-development endeavors.

"He will help build the (academy) structure, then lead partner coordination, selection and management of staff, and more," Berding told The Enquirer Wednesday via text message.

While many continue to focus on FC Cincinnati's efforts in the area of long-term stadium solutions, the fact is a youth academy is another vital item on the club's checklist for MLS expansion.

Berding has intimate ties to the local youth soccer community as he was formerly president of the Kings Hammer Soccer Club. His aim all along has been to respect existing youth clubs in the area as he develops the concept for FC Cincinnati's academy.

“We are pleased to have someone with Alan’s resume joining FC Cincinnati," Berding said in FC Cincinnati's Wednesday news release announcing Koch's hire. “We feel his ability to develop young talent and his experience in the areas of scouting, analytics as well as with an MLS youth academy are key to the long-term advancement of the club. His familiarity with the USL and his background as a head coach in our league brings a level of expertise that will help us in continuing to bring professional soccer at the highest level to Cincinnati.”

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Koch's hire also comes in the wake of the October departure of Ryan Martin, who assisted FC Cincinnati head coach John Harkes throughout the team's inaugural season.

Koch joins a staff that includes Harkes, goalkeeper coach Jamie Starr and Nate Kish, who was hired mid-season in 2016 to head up the team's scouting operations. FC Cincinnati confirmed Koch's hire won't affect any of those positions.

Koch's coaching bona fides include multiple coaching licenses. His resume boasts a UEFA "B" coaching license, an NSCAA Premier Diploma, a Canadian "B" license and various South African licenses.

Koch, a native of Durban, South Africa, is completing his UEFA "A" coaching license.

In 2016, Koch guided "WFC2," the Vancouver Whitecaps' USL team, to a 12-9-9 regular season record, a sixth place finish in the USL's Western Conference and a playoff berth. In the postseason, Koch then guided "WFC2" to the Western Conference Championship game.

Prior to joining the Whitecaps, Koch coached Simon Fraser University's men's soccer program for seven seasons, compiling a record of 126-21-7 and reaching the NCAA Division II Final Four twice.

Koch played soccer professionally in South Africa, Germany and Ireland.

“I appreciate the opportunities given to me by Bob Lenarduzzi, Greg Anderson and the ownership group,” Koch in FC Cincinnati's news release. “I also want to thank Carl Robinson and his staff for their friendship and sharing their experience and knowledge. I will miss Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the fans and the players, and appreciate all of their support. I am excited about this next challenge in Cincinnati. What occurred in the first season with the club and its supporters has been amazing. There is a great base in place to build on as the club moves forward into 2017 and beyond.”