United States National Soccer Team Formation

Starting Lineup

United States focus on a high press and verticality using a 4-3-3. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and break quickly once possession is regained. The goal is to use pace and directness to stretch the opposition defense.

Turner acts as the last line of defense in goal. The back line operates as a flat back four where Dest plays as an attacking full back to provide width. A.Robinson acts as the left back and can overlap to support the attack. In the center, M.Robinson and Richards hold the line as the central defenders. Richards works to cover space while M.Robinson stays tight to mark runners. The unit aims to keep a high line to squeeze the space between the lines.

The midfield uses a three man midfield with a carrier and a single pivot. Adams sits in the pivot to shield the defense and intercept passes. He helps to recycle possession and allows the other two to push higher. McKennie works as a driver who carries the ball forward and makes late runs into the box. Tillman operates in the half spaces to create from deep and play through the lines. This trio links the defense to the front three by moving the ball quickly from the back to the attackers.

United States utilizes three attackers across the front. Balogun operates as a pressing centre-forward who works to pin the last defender and fight for long balls. Pulisic plays as an inverted winger on the left and likes to cut inside to find shooting lanes. Weah stays wide on the right to provide width and can hit in behind on the transition. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This setup creates many runs in behind and allows the wide players to isolate defenders in one on one situations.

The formation offers several tactical advantages. The United States can create wide overloads from the overlapping runs of Dest and A.Robinson. The midfield trio provides the ability to press high in coordinated waves to win it back high up the pitch. They also benefit from a high speed of transition when Weah and Pulisic exploit space.

This 4-3-3 is built for a high intensity game that relies on pressing and quick movement. It is best suited for against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.