Why the US Should Play 5-3-2 v. Brazil
The US has two critical preparation matches for the 2024 Copa America in early June. These are the only tune ups we’ll have for the most important matches the US will play before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This team wants to make a run in the World Cup and change the culture around soccer in America – but if they fail to make a run in the Copa America, that will feel increasingly unlikely. The pressure is on. In our view, the US needs to demonstrate more tactical flexibility than we did in the World Cup in order to make the Semis of this tournament, and these tune ups are the right place to develop it.
One motivation is the injury to starting RB Sergino Dest. It’s also time for Berhalter to mature as a coach and demonstrate he can change tactics to suit the situation, as all the best coaches do. Most importantly, tactical flexibility should be the US’s superpower. We are one of the most diverse nations in the world, and as a result we have players in our talent pool who can play virtually any style. We can create matchups that are to our advantage up top, and we can put out a defensive unit that matches up well with anyone else’s attack. It’s time for our program to mature.
First, we face Colombia, a very strong side ranked 12th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings. That game is no picnic, Colombia beat Brazil in November’s WC qualifiers, and beat Spain in March friendlies. But Colombia doesn’t dominate the ball the way Brazil does. Play our standard 4-3-3 in that one, it will be a strong test.
Our second warm up match is against a world superpower in Brazil. Their attack legitimately scares me. Their attack starts with Vinicius Jr (Vini Jr) and Rodygo up top. The pair tore up Man City for Real Madrid, so you know they can do it to us too. If you collapse on the two of them, now you have space for Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) and Raphina (Barcelona). All studs. The only way to stop that is with team defense. We have to communicate and help constantly. That’s just easier with 3 CBs. If we aren’t solid at the back, we have no chance, so we should prioritze being able to stop and frustrate them, then hit on the counter. We have the pace to do it
Dos a Cero’s Starting 11 vs. Brazil
Why we think this will work (click to expand each point)
1) A Combination of Pace and Experience at the Back
In case you can’t tell, Brazil is fast. Really fast. We need pace on the pitch to keep up. I think Tim Ream is one of our best 2 defenders, but he’s getting older and lacks pace. This formation let’s him hide his weakness and read the game to provide cover for others. He’s also excellent in distribution from the back which we’ll need to advance the ball past Brazil’s pressure. Richards and Robinson are our two quickest CBs and both solid on the ball too. We’ll need their pace to cover the wings when Jedi and Weah get caught up field.
2) Maximum agility and a double pivot protecting the back 3
Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Martinelli, and Raphina all have elite, world class quickness, pace, and touch. We need our quickest guys on the pitch to keep up. Jedi is a given at LWB, he’s lightning quick. Same with Adams in defensive mid. It gets interesting with the next two picks – Weah at RWB makes sense over Scally given the need for speed. And Musah has a better chance of picking up Vini Jr. or Raphina as they cut inside than McKennie, so I’m putting him at the other DM slot.
3) McKennie's passing range makes him quarterback on the counter
I know I’m going to take heat for leaving Reyna out of my lineup, but it’s the right move in this game. Reyna’s game is quick short passes, but that’s not how we’re going to hit Brazil. We have to hit on the counter, with Jedi and Weah pushing forward when they can (both blisteringly fast) and Pulisic playing on the shoulder. McKennie’s passing range is elite, he showed it all season for Juve and he showed it on the second assist for Puli’s goal vs. Iran. Adams and Musah should look quickly for McKennie, who should then look to play balls in behind and stretch Brazil.
4) Pace AND size upfront
Pulisic is must start, obviously. The question then is who to pair with him. I think all 4 of our CFs have a case. Sargent has the best hold up play, and that is valuable in these games where you’re not expecting to have most of the possession. Plus he is willing to work for the team by applying pressure up top. Pepi has a good combination of hold up play and pace. Balogun has great touch – which makes his hold up play better than you’d think for a guy his size. But I’m giving the nod to Haji Wright. He’s flexible and can drift to the wing if that’s where space is. He’s got good size – and Brazil is vulnerable in the air, just ask Luis Diaz – Colombia’s 5’10” winger who scored on two headers against Brazil in November. Wright is also just…so hot right now. He was fire during Nations League, he scored left and right for Coventry to end the year including against Man United in the FA Cup.
This is a hard game. I think if we play a back 4, all 4 of them will be pinned back constantly, and we’ll lack cover when one of their front 4 beats someone off the dribble. the 3-5-2 will give us cover, and critically, allow us to get forward quickly when we have the chance. Jedi and Weah are our two fastest players and can both attack, especially Weah.
Losing to Brazil would not be a confidence builder no matter what, but if it happens while doing a 3-5-2, at least Berhalter can blame the experimental formation. And if works, then we have a new tool in our kit that we can break out against teams who will dominate the ball against us. Those teams are fewer and farther between for this generation of players, but they still exist. Most importantly, my view is that a 5-3-2 maximizes our chance to beat Brazil and move into the Copa America riding high.
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