World Cup Tickets: Almost a decade had passed since the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) last tried with a three-man backline in Columbus, a move that cost then-head coach Jurgen Klinsmann his job after a terrible loss to Mexico. This September, Mauricio Pochettino revisited the formation in a friendly against Japan. The conditions were very different this time around. The USMNT wasn’t under qualification pressure, and the friendly carried no importance outside performance assessment and public opinion.
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More importantly, the team looked much more prepared and appropriate to the shape. In their earlier game, a 2-0 loss to South Korea, the USMNT had already begun transitioning into the 3-4-2-1 setup late in the match. This gave the players some knowledge heading into the Japan match. Against a strong opponent, and under less pressure than in World Cup qualifiers, Pochettino saw an opportunity to test the structure in a full match setting.
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What followed was a confident 2-0 win that ended a disturbing seven-game losing streak against top-30 FIFA 2026-ranked teams. It may have just marked a turning point in the team’s strategic development. Team captain Tim Ream, one of the three central defenders in the new scheme, admired how clearly defined the roles were. We did not do much work on it, other than in-game and speaking about it during a few meetings, Ream said. Despite limited preparation, the players improved well.
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Ream highlighted how comfortable they all felt, suggesting the change added flexibility without confusion. It adds another layer to the team, he said, pointing to how it can now be both an in-game modification and a starting look. Pochettino’s 3-4-2-1 formation isn’t just a random test. Experts like former USMNT midfielder Stu Holden have long supported this approach. While it may not get all the best separate players on the field at once, it offers a scheme that matches the team’s strengths.
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It simplifies things, said midfielder Christian Roldan, who introduced at the previous World Cup. Simplicity in roles and structure, especially on a global stage with limited training time, is often undervalued but serious. Ream’s presence in the team at age 38 may seem rare, but in this new formation, it makes sense. His experience and passing range remain valuable, and with three center backs, he doesn’t have to cover as much ground.
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The arrangement gives him more freedom to contribute rudely while staying protected defensively. No younger player has convincingly displaced him, making his expert presence even more important. By adjusting the scheme, the coaching staff plays to his strengths without overexposing his limits. The wingback roles are also a natural fit for the team. Against Japan, Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten filled in, but the regulars Antonee Jedi Robinson and Sergiño Dest are far more well-matched to the positions.
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Wingbacks in this structure must cover the entire side, contribute in attack, and drop into defense as needed. Robinson and Dest, both aggressive and athletic, succeed in these types of roles for their club teams as well. This arrangement allows them to play to their characters. Central defender Chris Richards, who plays in a similar system at Crystal Palace, adds another layer of unity. I think it’s good to have different plans, Pochettino said after the match.
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That formation is simpler to understand for the players than the formation we started in against South Korea. With more U.S. players developing in European leagues that favor three-man backlines, the national team can now draw on that knowledge. This gives Pochettino a roster with strategic ease and flexibility. The move to a 3-4-2-1 also changes the attacking picture. In Qatar 2022, Christian Pulisic played wide left in a 4-3-3. In the new system, he shifts centrally into a playmaking role behind the striker.
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This No. 10 spot suits his creative leanings and aligns with his jersey number. Had Malik Tillman not been injured, he likely would’ve partnered with Pulisic behind striker Folarin Balogun. Together, they could form an energetic pairing capable of breaking down even top defenses. The shape also benefits the midfield, though it creates tough choices. Tyler Adams remains a lock in the deeper role, but Weston McKennie, Johnny Cardoso, and Yunus Musah may now compete for just one additional starting spot.
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Musah, known for his ball control and possession ability, could be squeezed out in favor of more defensive or physical options. Still, the opposition enhances depth and pushes everyone to raise their level. One notable loss of the shift could be Tim Weah. A starter at the last World Cup, Weah may find himself coming off the bench if Pochettino sticks with two attacking midfielders behind a lone striker. With fewer wide positions available, Weah’s path to the starting eleven becomes less clear.
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However, his speed and direct play still offer value in specific matchups or as a second-half option. Team rotation and strategic needs may keep him related. The decision to adopt a three-man backline under Klinsmann in 2016 ended in disappointment, largely because it was unfamiliar and untested. The team had hardly trained in the setup before facing Mexico, and it showed. Michael Bradley was seen shouting to change the formation mid-game.
That night ended in a 2-1 loss, with Mexico’s Rafa Márquez scoring late to cover it. Four days later, a 4-0 defeat in Costa Rica ended Klinsmann’s tenure. But Pochettino’s situation is very different. There’s no pending qualification pressure this time around. As co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the USMNT is already qualified. That gives Pochettino a rare luxury in international football: time to experiment, refine, and develop a system that fits.
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Q1: What formation did the USMNT use to beat Japan?
The USMNT used a 3-4-2-1 formation against Japan, helping end a seven-game losing streak against top-30 ranked teams.
Q2: How does the new 3-4-2-1 system benefit Tim Ream?
Tim Ream’s experience fits the three-center-back system, letting him contribute offensively while reducing defensive workload.
Q3: Why is the USMNT more comfortable with the 3-4-2-1 now?
More US players develop in European leagues, favoring three-back lines, giving the team tactical familiarity and flexibility.
Q4: How does Christian Pulisic’s role change in the new formation?
Pulisic plays centrally as a No. 10 playmaker, aligning better with his creativity than the wide-left role he played in 2022.
Q5: What is the best website to buy FIFA World Cup Tickets?
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