USMNT: To 3-5-2 or Not To 3-5-2… That Is the Question

Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a pedantic, nerdy article about soccer formations.

But it’s important that we talk about why formations and the USMNT are so important, and how the 3-5-2 will be able to bring enough US strengths to bear on opposing teams – once all the kinks are worked out, for sure – and actually win tournament matches convincingly.

US Soccer has come a long way, but there is still quite a way to go before we can compete on a match-to-match basis with the top teams from Europe and South America.

Let’s be real: if Tim Howard didn’t do this, the knockout round loss to Belgium would have been a slaughter.

That’s why, for Jurgen Klinsmann, formations and positional discipline are of utmost importance. The USMNT has enough spirit and tenacity to barrel their way through games, but really nailing their formations can give them the extra boost necessary to compete against top teams.

If you’re new to soccer, or you just don’t know anything specific about the 3-5-2, this paragraph is for you. Otherwise, feel free to skip this one and move on to the next. A 3-5-2 formation means that there are 3 defenders, 5 midfielders, and two forwards. 2 of the midfielders, however, are positioned on the wings (the far sides) of the field, and are put more into more of an attacking role. Typically, there are then two central midfielders who will drop back to sweep (cover) in front of the defense, and the central attacking midfielder will link play to either forward.

So why is the 3-5-2 – after working out the kinks – a good fit for the USMNT? There are a few reasons. The first has to do with the overall design and tactics of the 3-5-2, and the rest are centered around these key players: Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, DeAndre Yedlin, and Jozy Altidore.

The 3-5-2 formation is designed to absorb pressure in midfield – this tends to be where the US is overrun in most of the games it plays against superior teams. When the US attempts to go toe-to-toe and fight for possession, the midfield is often broken through easily. This results in the defense losing shape, and a clear example of this is all over the highlights of the USMNT’s 4-1 loss to the Republic of Ireland. Check it out below.

See what I mean? And that wasn’t even against a top team.

So, how does the 3-5-2 absorb pressure? By adding an extra body in midfield (in the form of a defensive midfielder) without sacrificing a striker. According to MLS Analyst Matthew Doyle, this will allow Michael Bradley to operate in an attacking central midfield role, while allowing another d-mid on the field. Too often, Bradley dropped too far back to be any serious threat going forward during the World Cup. The 3-5-2 will allow Bradley freedom to go forward while having two d-mids cover his tracks.

With pressure being absorbed in midfield, it allows the wingbacks to make surging runs forward, whip crosses into the box, and get goals. Matt Doyle makes the case that this is exactly what DeAndre Yedlin is born to do. He also brings up this important point: in the 2002 World Cup, the US implemented the 3-5-2 against Mexico in the Round of 16, which resulted in the USMNT getting to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1930.

Getting Bradley and Yedlin more involved in the attack will unlock the monster of Jozy Altidore. Despite his disastrous stint at Sunderland, his form with US remained consistent. The key to unlocking Altidore’s scoring potential is simple: Get the poor guy service in the box. His goal against Chile is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. Yedlin made a run forward, got to the endline, hit a pass to Diskerud (at that moment in the Bradley role), got the ball to Altidore, and the US goes up 2-1. Watch it below:

Now, these highlights are also chock-filled of how the 3-5-2 is not working for the Yanks. Besler, Jones, and Birnbaum were all slow to react on the first goal, and then lack of match-fitness caught up with Yedlin and Shea has they couldn’t track their runs after the second half. Communication failures resulted in Rimando making saves he shouldn’t be making. Jones, however, was found out of position too many times. He also has a tendency to sit and wait for the right moment for a hero pass, instead of making the right pass. At 33, Jones needs to learn better positional and possession discipline if Klinsmann is going to use him to anchor the backline.

To make a long story short, the 3-5-2 can work. It needs to be practiced relentlessly on the training grounds, but there have been glimpses of its potential. It will be a very effective tool when it is ready, to complement the standard 4-4-2 diamond Klinsmann and the US have been fond of. No matter what formations are chosen, the US will need to master their positions and communication across the backline in order for it to work.

Because there are only so many mistakes that the Secretary of Defense can cover.

Jul 1, 2014; Salvador, BRAZIL; United States goalkeeper Tim Howard (1) reacts towards defender Matt Besler (5) against Belgium during the round of sixteen match in the 2014 World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova. Belgium defeated USA 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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