3-6-1!!! USA vs Germany, 1998 WC: -------------------Wynalda--------------------- -------------Reyna--------Stewart------------ Jones---Deering---Maisonneuve---Burns ---------Regis-------Dooley-------Pope------ ---------------------Keller------------------------
I actually think Arena will focus more on the 4-2-3-1, now that Acosta looks like a good paring with Bradley as dual #8s. Pulisic as the #10. However, I'm amused by the 3-5-2 options. We've debated this for the USA off and on for years. The current player pool works pretty well, using the depth at CB and getting 2 forwards into the lineup at the same time. So here is my XI and reserves in a 3-5-2 (3-4-1-2 version): Starting XI: ------------------Altidore------Wood--------------- --------------------------Pulisic---------------------- Johnson------Acosta-----Bradley-------Yedlin -----------Besler-----Brooks-----Cameron------ ------------------------Howard----------------------- Reserves: -----------------Morris-------Dwyer---------------- ------------------------Dempsey-------------------- Saief---------Roldan------Nagbe-------Bedoya ------------Ream----Hedges----Gonzalez------ -----------------------Guzan------------------------- Most vulnerable spots: Bedoya and Gonzo. Just missing the cut: Agudelo, Arriola, McCarty, Zardes, Villafana, Lichaj, Miazga, Carter-Vickers.
Nowadays it's called a 3-4-2-1 and it's sexy. One thing I do like about it is the back eight are fairly set while the attacking three can be flipped from a 2-1 to a 1-2 depending on whether Dempsey, Altidore or Wood are used.
In theory, your starting 3-5-2 is probably the ideal formation for our individual talent. It checks many of the boxes of key individual players' needs (Bradley gets a partner in Acosta, the promising Altidore/Wood pairing is reunited, Johnson and Yedlin are wingbacks). But as far as rubber meeting road is concerned, this last match in Mexico was probably the first in ages in which we played a 3 man back line and didn't totally suck that I can remember.
I think we will continue to see the 4-2-3-1 for most opponents but the 3-4-3 for those that are usually "stronger" than us.
Lesser teams: --------Dempsey--Altidore--- ---------------Pulisic------------ --------Nagbe-----Lletget------ Villa---------Cameron------Lichaj ----------Besler----Brooks--------- ---------------Howard---------------- Better teams: ---------------Wood---------Pulisic----------------------- -----------------------Nagbe--------------------------------- -Johnson----Bradley--Roldan (after GC)----Yedlin -----------Besler-Brooks-Cameron-------------------- ----------------------Howard--------------------------------
A real CM in that the a-mid spot is needed to avoid central midfield being run through. ---------------Dempsey----Pulisic----- ----------------------Nagbe------- ---Saief-----Acosta----Bradley-------Yedlin--- -----------Besler--Brooks--Cameron
It fits his attributes of possessing speed and not being a natural defender while not being creative enough for an attacking winger. In fact I think that's his best position. He's no prime Brek in that position, but he's pretty good. It's more palatable than using him at attacking wing over someone who can create or at left-back over a better defender like Villafana. No way I think you can project Saief over Johnson right now on account Johnson has established himself as a decent starter of over the long-term.
Villafana is just about holding his own in LigaMx. Significant bench time has punctuated his playing time. Fab did a bit better at fullback in B1. Hell, there was even Barca interest. On the other hand, he failed to complete the two major tourneys he played for the US. And he only manned the fullback position. He has been dogged by his share of muscle/tendon issues over the past 3 seasons B1 seasons. His injury history and lack of doggedness in tracking back make wingback not really an ideal position. In terms outstanding creators from the wing, we have Pulisic and....Zardes? https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2014...arcelona-eyeing-usmnt-fullback-fabian-johnson
I'm curious as to all the 3-5-2s I see. We haven't played it yet. Three in the back (or five as it was) = yes. Only 1 up front, however. I think we'll play 4-4-2 vs minnows. 4-2-3-1 vs comparable squads. The 3-4-3/5-4-1 vs powerhouse offensive teams. Though we could flip the 343 to two forwards with a #10 behind, as some have shown. 4231 ------------Howard---------- Yedlin--Cam--Brooks--Villafana -------Bradley----Acosta--- Nagbe---Pulisic-----Johnson ---------------Wood-------- 343/541 ---------Timmay--------- ---Gonzo--Cam--Ream-- Yedlin--Bradley--Acosta--FJ -----Nagbe-----Pulisic---- -----------Wood-------- 442 ---------Howard--------- Yedlin--Cam--JAB--FJ Nagbe--MB--Acosta--Pulisic ------Dempsey----Altidore-----
If the US has two good backups then maybe Johnson can play every other game and not get injured. Wingbacks and attacking outside backs cover lots of ground and do lots of sprints.
This is a good point that I'd like to emphasize. Back in 1998, when Sampson made his late switch to the 3-6-1, he didn't bring a roster designed to support the system. The only guys who were really capable of handling the very physically demanding wing-back roles were Cobi Jones and Hejduk, but Hejduk had a nagging minor muscle issue that kept him out of the opening Cup XI. Sampson plugged pure defender Mike Burns into the wing back role on the right and the system struggled. Once Hejduk was able to play, the performances improved a bit, but the team had no depth for this role. So, a fit Johnson, Yedlin, and perhaps the intriguing Saief would give you three guys and ideally you need a 4th.
Paul Arriola. If you're playing pretty defensive, Lichaj will suffice. How much did Beasley get fw against Mexico? Effectively he didn't. We'd have taken if he didn't get run around for the goal and didn't lose a few in behind on combo plays. I think Lichaj would hold up better, and offer you a little more going fw. He is speedy enough to get back usually I think. He plays some wing-back at Forest. Arriola does the same w/ Tijuana. It's just not their main. Although it may be Arriola's best role.
My impression is beyond the forwards, the players don't get rotated much in tourneys. Aside from that, tracking back isn't a strong of his game. Square peg in round hole. Weaknesses Crossing----------------------Weak Defensive contribution----Weak
Chandler? If so, while I was once very high on him, I've lost my enthusiasm. Just not very reliable, physically and mentally (commitment).
Ariola is another player who is just about managing in the LigaMx. Nagbe has phenomenal pace and workrate along with experience playing wide positions. At the same time, he is a more adept attacker than Yedlin. Lichaj has played wingback for Forest. Yedlin, Saief, Lichaj, and Nagbe.
This should be an interesting point to look at after the Gold Cup — or — after qualification. Arena's a pretty smart and experienced guy. 2006 probably taught him that even a very good team may not be able to perform at its best level year after year without at least exploring changes.
4-2-3-1: ST Wood LM Saief CM Pulisic RM Nagbe CDM Bradley CDM Acosta LB Johnson CB Brooks CB Cameron RB Yedlin GK Howard 3-4-3: LW Saief ST Wood RW Pulisic LWB Johnson CM Bradley CM Acosta RWB Yedlin CB Brooks CB Gonzalez CB Cameron GK Howard
Current best 11 ------Dwyer---Wood------ Pulisic-Feilhaber-Rowe --------Cameron---------- Fab-Brooks-Besler-Yedlin ----------Timmy-----------