Houston Dynamo Vs D.C. United: Formation trick works again

The Houston Dynamo switched away from the 4-2-3-1 and back to the 4-3-3 in a win against D.C. United. Wilmer Cabrera’s formation tricks have worked again.

Prior to a trip to the Houston Dynamo, D.C. United prepared completely for the 4-2-3-1 formation that Houston had been using throughout much of the season. So the Dynamo pulled out their old 4-3-3 from last year and used it to full effect.

D.C. United has used a 4-2-3-1 only four times this season. The latest use comes in the May 18th loss to the Dynamo.

Defensively, it was United’s best performance yet with the formation, but they have only a 1-2-1 record with it. The last use against Sporting Kansas City earned a 1-0 victory, but here, two Houston goals in a 99-second span sealed a Dynamo win.

Houston personnel in their 4-3-3 defensive scheme can work instinctively to stay on the ball. Defender Adam Lundkvist, built for head coach Wilmer Cabrera’s 4-3-3, just missed placing a cross where striker Mauro Manotas could get to it. Midfielder Tommy McNamara, who had only recently subbed in, caught the miss with his body and got the second and final goal of the night in the 68th minute. Lundkvist still got an assist.

This was Lundkvist’s best performance of the season. For a player not acclaimed for tackling, he won a tackle. He also dispossessed an opponent, won two aerials, matched the opponents’ passing accuracy and beat them in possession.

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Head coach Wilmer Cabrera called on Lundkvist to fill in while retiring defender and U.S. soccer legend DaMarcus Beasley recovers from surgery. Lundkvist, so far, is exceeding expectations. No matter the go-to formation in a Dynamo game, he has performed competently. And in this latest 4-3-3 test, he has filled the classic role of a defender running up to feed the midfield. He not only maintained but built on his greatest strength, his distribution.

D.C. United’s aggression worked well for them in the goalless first half. But that single quality was never going to be enough when fighting against formations that Houston Dynamo weren’t employing. They continued to play Houston as if they were in the 4-2-3-1 the entire game. But the switch to the 4-3-3, with the presence of a deeper, central midfielder, caused Ben Olsen’s team great strife.

The flexibility is a major positive for Cabrera and his team. It is a major reason why they are enjoying a terrific start to the season. And it is why they might well go far into the postseason just yet.