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Tattica: The Union and Chivas USA getting results with different approaches
Both the Philadelphia Union and Chivas USA have forged the start of this 2013 campaign around strong backlines. However, Union manager John Hackworth and Chivas USA head coach José Luis “El Chelís” Sánchez Solá did it following different paths.
Hackworth has run a flat four backline while Chelis utilizes three defenders.
The Philadelphia Union’s unit -- formed by Sheanon Williams and Ray Gaddis as fullbacks with Jeff Parke and Amobi Okugo in the middle -- showed improvement as they have not allowed many shots, while Chelis’ group -- Wálter Vílchez, Mario de Luna and Joaquín Velázquez -- have looked comfortable playing in a three-man formation. Adjusting so quickly to a new set of tactics, they have made it look easy.
In MLS there is a tradition of the four-man backline. With many sides playing two-men up top, it makes sense. A three-man backline works well against a 4-4-2 formation, featuring two strikers, but it can work also against three forwards if its players are able to slide across the pitch according to what the ball is.
This is why 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 formations utilize wing-backs, rather than classic flankers, who track the opposition's wide midfielders. Although this leaves a 3 v 1 at the back with your centre-backs, who have the task of chasing the centre-forward. If your right-sided and left-sided centre-backs are able to pick up the wingers, you still have an extra midfielder.
Things change if your wing-backs are assigned to chase flankers in a 4-3-3, or overlapping full-backs in an attacking oriented 4-4-2. In this scenario, there is the risk of defending with a 5-man backline, and being overmatched in the middle of the pitch. Also, this backline can have trouble against teams moving the ball quickly from one flank to another, especially on counter-attacks.
Another way to create problems for a three-man line is employing the No.10 playing behind the forward as it happens with a 4-4-1-1 formation. It causes difficulty for three-man backlines to cover him as they have to choose whether to pick him up with one of the centre-backs or with a holding midfielder collapsing behind.
A four-man backline is easier to teach and is naturally suited to cover all the defensive width. With one full-back beaten out, this unit can still work as a four-man group with the two centre-backs shifting laterally towards the ball while the flanker coming from the other side is sliding behind to rebuild a four-man line.
This solution has worked well in a classic 4-4-2, albeit the current trend to utilize attacking wingers has made it less effective with those players not having defensive skills. As we've seen, playing a three-man defensive line is a new in MLS and will be interesting to see how opponents can find solutions to break down this formation.
Michele Tossani is a football tactician with a Ph.D. in History. Michele resides in Florence, Italy and is a tactical analyst for Futbol-Tactico.com
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