Should USA give the 3-4-3 formation a try?

Due to the variance of quality in each position’s depth chart for the USMNT, I’ve wondered for a while now if the team were better off trying to do a 3-4-3 formation. While I’m not sure we have the depth in our forward pool, I think it could be a solution on how to get the best players on the pitch.

Then, I came across this article about how Premier League team Wigan switched to this formation with great results. Here is the article: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/05/16/wigan-stay-up-after-a-switch-to-3-4-3/

The justification for this switch reminded me a lot about the USMNT.

We struggle with our defenders, especially out wide. We have a lot of good midfielders. We have enough players that can play in the front three to make it work. Here’s a couple of points that were made that stood out to me and how it related to the USMNT. Here’s some thoughts on why Wigan coach, Roberto Martinez, thought it made sense for them:

"When you play a 4-3-3, you rely a lot on the full-backs to get high up the pitch…. You shouldn’t look at a system as away to win a football match, it is the players that play the system. Maynor [Figueroa], Gary [Caldwell] and Antolin [Alcaraz] have been so solid with a back three, and it allows [other] players to be high up the pitch, like the wing-backs. They aren’t full-backs that need to get deep and then forward to give us an extra man, they are in positions where they can do both a little bit better, and we can be a little bit more solid.The difference is the width that we get…before, we had to compromise a little bit, when you want to be very attack-minded, the full-backs have to push on, so you leave two players at the back. Now you’re still pushing the wing-backs on, but you’ve still got three players at the back, plus probably a midfielder. In the West Brom game, as Paul Scharner will tell you, we were attacking with seven, eight, nine players and they were surprised it, and that’s what the system gives you, without being weak at the back.It suits our players. When you’ve got a Jean Beausejour who is a specialist in that position, you take advantage of that. The back three gives you that. Then there’s the energy we’ve got in midfield, players who can play between lines like Shaun Maloney and Jordi Gomez. It’s so difficult to play against…there’s a few clubs playing it around Europe now, Napoli are one: they play it with Cavani, Hamsik and Lavezzi…this is the advantage of this system – it goes where the danger is…it’s not in defensive lines, it’s not working as a unit of four, it’s not man-marking."

Here’s the points that stood out to me:

1. We have issues with our team creating width and we rely a lot on the fullback to deliver crosses, especially Cherundolo.
2. As Martinez pointed out with the 4-3-3, pushing your fullbacks forward leaves the team with only two defenders that are ready for a counter. The US has been okay with this against inferior competition because of the athleticism the team has but against superior opponents, this doesn’t always work. Besides, how many times recently have teams responded by just booting the ball high & the center backs mess up which leads to a scoring opportunity.
3. This formation allows for flexibility. Martinez put it, “it goes where the danger is” but I’d also add the it goes where the opportunities are. If the team needs to be more defensive, the wing backs can just play back more which gives the team 5 at the back right away. If the team needs to push up, you easily have seven attackers that can spring into action.

Here’s a line up that I could see the USMNT utilizing if they incorporated some of the philosophy:

Let’s start with the back. I went with Ream because of his ability to pass, dribble the ball. Boca is our course the fearless leader so I thought he’s best be in the middle to bark out commands also serves as kind of a sweeper. Goodson goes on the right because he deserves to be the other starter. I am not married to him there but who has really justified it. I think Cameron due to his skill set being similar to Ream’s would be a good candidate. If this were used in 2014, Goodson could slide into the middle while Cameron occupies the right side since I doubt Boca will be an option by that time (I hope at least).

The wing backs selected were based on their ability to get forward and go. We all know what ‘Dolo can do and so far Johnson has show the ability at club & national level to handle both responsibilities. They can easily run forward to provide width and back track to provide extra coverage on defense. Long term, I’d like to see Lichaj occupy this spot. I also think a wing back position suits Castillo better than being a traditional left back.

The midfielders were based on the ability to do two kind of roles: I see Torres at the person who can spray passes all over the midfield like a deep-lying midfielder. While Bradley’s focus on is more of a box to box midfielder, helping out where he needs to be. If you want to be more defensive, you can swap Edu or Jones with Torres. Speaking of Jones, the chemistry that Bradley & he seem to be forming makes a good pairing as well. Ultimately, if he can recover from his injuries, Holden would be great at this spot (remember him?)

The front three of Dempsey, Donovan, & Altidore can all switch around although I still see Altidore as still the target man with Dempsey and Donovan cutting in and out to assist as needed. I think this also solve the problem with a traditional target man situation with the team. Altidore is growing in the position but he lacks assistance a lot of time or maybe it’s better put to say that it doesn’t come quickly enough. Donovan & Dempsey can swap positions and since the both like to cut in, it could take advantage of their ability to play off each other.

What do you think about this idea? Let us know.

Writer’s note: I actually wrote this over a week ago but have held off on publishing it due to our coverage of the friendlies that were taking place. It’s funny that Klinsmann kind of did this during the Canada game with Bradley acting as a third center back. However, Bradley then proceeded up the pitch as kind of the point guard.