Houston Dynamo: Formation scouts don’t know what’s coming

Opponents finally got time to scout and plan for Houston Dynamo’s new 4-2-3-1 formation. The problem: they popped back into their defensive 4-3-3.

That’s what did the San Jose Earthquakes recently as they took on Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. The visitors adjusted admirably at the half but still lost to Houston 2-1.

Opponents’ scouts could be heard everywhere explaining that Dynamo fell back to the 4-3-3 all the time. No matter what. Team captain and defender DaMarcus Beasley’s recently surgery forced an adjustment of personnel. And head coach Wilmer Cabrera took his load of lemons and made lemonade out of the 4-2-3-1.

He coached up the squad after the MLS season-opening 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake. For the next three MLS contests beginning March 9, the Dynamo showed a formidable 4-2-3-1 and posted three wins.

So San Jose prepared to take on that 4-2-3-1 arrangement of personnel when they kicked off in Houston on April 13. They found the Dynamo returning to the 4-3-3.

No matter what formation opponents have shown this season, San Jose actually has the same reaction under head coach Matias Almeyda.

The Quakes focus on the 4-1-4-1 formation. It’s the latest evolutionary result of every 4-3-3 formation ever devised.

They’ve used it in their first five MLS games this season with results ranging from bad to completely miserable, except for their 3-0 win April 7 over the Portland Timbers.

After that game, their season-opener against Montreal Impact and the Dynamo game. These are both one-point losses. After that, they have a shutout and two three-point losses.

Why doesn’t this 4-1-4-1 work for them? First, take a look at what the formation is supposed to do.

The 4-1-4-1 happens as you exit the 4-3-3 and cross the bridge that is the 4-2-3-1.

Teams, such as Spain in the Euro 2008, used it to hammer possession. They showed a similar midfield triangle as seen in the other two formations.

The reason San Jose has stuck with this possession-heavy formation is that they have possession personnel. They were 60%-plus in possession in the Houston game.

But they don’t have the striker who can close the deal and consistently get the end-results they need.

Their best consistent MLS performances are one-point losses.

Certainly, the Quakes skillfully opposed Houston’s strikers through much of the match. But when enough of the Dynamo’s squad got into the attack and occupied San Jose, the strikers got passed them twice. And that was enough.

San Jose is one superstar striker away from making their 4-1-4-1 work.

Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo continue to befuddle the league with two different formations. Don’t be surprised if still another new lineup shows up on the pitch later this season.