3 ways Orlando City can line up with new striker Dom Dwyer

Orlando City head coach Jason Kreis has a new weapon up top as the Lions announced the acquisition of Dom Dwyer from Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday, and with the 26-year-old in his ranks, Kreis has new options to consider for his best XI.

Here are three ways the Lions might line up with Dwyer:

A diamond 4-4-2

In this formation, Cristian Higuita anchors a midfield four that sits in front of an unchanged backline, which features Carlos Rivas and Will Johnson out wide and Kaka at the top behind Dwyer and his strike partner Cyle Larin. Johnson and Rivas will need to provide smart coverage while the other runs forward, but in this system, there is ample talent for combinations in close proximity.

Higuita can be swapped out for Antonio Nocerino, while Johnson can also step in for Scott Sutter at right-back, affording Luis Gil a starting spot in midfield.

A now-trending 3-5-2

Back-three defensive lines are all the rage these days and for good reason; teams like Toronto FC are dominating the league with three solid central defenders. Orlando boasts a commanding leader in Jonathan Spector and two respectable talents in Jose Aja and Tommy Redding, but this system would require Rivas to take on a much deeper position at left wing-back.

Still, if Rivas is capable of playing in this position, Orlando would have plenty of quality across the park, as Kaka pulls the strings behind a pair of strikers.

A flat-mid 4-3-3

Whether or not the Lions want to embrace it quite yet, 35-year-old Kaka is nearing the end of his playing days, and while some supporters are ready to move past the Brazilian icon, the club will soon have to consider what life without him looks like. In this formation, Dwyer would be used as an attacking winger, with a flat midfield three keeping everything tidy.

Larin's future at the club is also up in the air; the highly-touted young Canada international has been linked with a move abroad. If it happens, Dwyer would happily step into center-forward, or the team can line up with two up top.