Houston Dynamo: Wilmer Cabrera tightens his formation

After a successful run in last season’s U.S. Open Cup, Wilmer Cabrera has decided to tighten up the Houston Dynamo formation. Here comes the 4-3-3.

Houston Dynamo have focused on the 4-3-3 formation in early 2019 preseason work. All potential starters were played in their positions and it worked right away in a test game against Houston Dynamo USL affiliate, Rio Grande Valley FC.

The Dynamo prepares for their earliest competition in the CONCACAF Champions League. But they are also not overlooking their MLS opener on March 2, a home game against Real Salt Lake.

Their last meeting with Salt Lake ended in a frustrating 2-1 loss. They correctly anticipated that their opponent would favor a 4-3-3 defensive formation.

Houston Dynamo countered, mainly with a 4-2-3-1 formation. but it was in the defeat to Salt Lake and Wilmer Cabrera stumbled on a system that best-suited his personnel. Last season, the Houston Dynamo came together in the U.S. Open Cup and it was the defensive 4-3-3 of Salt Lake that was the foundation of their joy. In fact, the one U.S. Open Cup game they switched to the offensive scheme, vs. Los Angeles FC, they required penalties to win.

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Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera emphasizes that the team should think ambitiously whether facing CONCACAF Champions League or MLS competition. But, he says, they should also think about balance.

Cabrera has always taught his players to focus on attacking. He is a naturally attacking coach and he wants his teams to play in the same manner. But that must not come at the expense of balance. Balance lays the foundation, emphasizing the 4-3-3 defensive formation, on which the Dynamo will try to build a creative and effective attack. That is why the team pounds that formation from earliest training and scrimmages in preseason.

The 4-3-3 design, whether a defensive scheme or offensive, means a mixed flow of players overwhelms opponents’ defenses. That’s just what happened for Houston Dynamo in U.S. Open competition once they got it working last year.

Coaches and formation teachers insist you must have the right personnel to get the right result from the 4-3-3. The midfield work is especially important, needing a strong mix of offensive and defensive specialists.

And now looking to use this system in all competition, not just the U.S. Open Cup, the Dynamo have bolstered their personnel.  The crucial blend of central midfielders has been the focus of the players the Dynamo acquired in the offseason.

So look out Champions League and MLS opponents. Houston Dynamo stand ready.