I think it depends on how we want to play. Ajax was having its wingbacks play aggressive offensively but it didn't look like they cared about Dest's defensive responsibilities -- with how strong they are through the spine, not sure I blame them.
if we ever go with a defensive 3-5-2, I could easily see him potentially being more valuable than Yedlin in that RWB/RM role -- I'm just not sold on his defensive acumen if we need a different skill set with him.
He very well could be better defensively than he showed today in a different scheme.
I think a 3-5-2 works really well for the talent the US has at its disposal.
We have pretty good, but not elite, centerbacks. I saw Chelsea under Conte win a championship using 3 at the back. It gave you some extra cover if a guy made an error. David Luiz was less of a liability for those occasional mental lapses. Three guys > two.
Then, you have 5 in the midfield, which has been a persistent problem with the US team. We could go either 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2, but you have to do one of those 2 formations so that we have a solid defensive base and enough bodies in midfield to break up play.
I like the 3-5-2 better than the 4-2-3-1, though, because we don't have an elite striker. Jozy can be good, but is 50/50 whether he's going to be healthy at any given time. He seems like an old man, because it seems like he doesn't take good enough care of his body. He's always hurt, and he's still only about 26 years old, isn't he?
So, give me two guys at the top of the formation. It allows two lesser guys to play off each other. It's often successful to pair a target guy with a guy who can run in behind the defense. One is the point of attack, and the other guy makes runs off the hold up man.
Up front I think the "2" starts with Pulisic. Put him closer to the goal so he gets more chances where he can score. I'm not sure exactly who to plug in up top alongside Christian Pulisic. Would it be Josh Sargent? He is 6-1. I hope he has a great year at Werder Bremen. If he can hold up the ball, he's the future and combine with Pulisic. Otherwise, it's Jozy Altidore until somebody shows they are better.
Having wingers instead of fullbacks eases another problem - our lack of quality fullbacks. If we play wingers instead, they don't have to have quite the same skill set, don't have to run quite as much or track back to cover defensively quite as much in a 3-5-2 as in 4 at the back. So we can cover a bit for our lack of a certain kind of talent, with wingers who maybe are more plentiful in MLS who we can look to.
I would try Tyler Boyd on the right wing, or Reggie Cannon. So DeAndre Yedlin would have some competition. We look much better with those guys as wingers so we can limit their defensive exposure, allow them to help in the midfield, and have them starting a bit farther up the field so they can more easily join the attack.
Paul Arreola as the left wingback probably makes a lot of sense and would seem a better fit for him than being a pure attacker. He's a hard worker and could slide into midfield to break up play when we give away the ball. Antonee Robinson, Nick Lima and Djordie Mihailovic are probably other options there.
Then, you have 3 midfielders to go with the 2 wingers to make up your midfield five. And when the other team is in possession, the 2 wingers can drop back to give you a defensive block of five. Very flexible formation.
I think you play Weston McKennie at the base of the 3 midfielders. He breaks up play well, and he really can pick a through ball. He is the clear successor to Michael Bradley and Jermane Jones.
Then, you have Tim Weah who is too talented to be left out, and has so much skill on the ball. Then you choose one guy from among Sebastian Lletget, Kellyn Acosta, Will Trapp or Christian Roldan. Those are probably the guys who will playing for that last spot in the midfield. You need another guy who works hard to win back the ball, and who is good in possession.
Think about a 3-5-2 allowing us to shore up the always-changing pairing in the backline of the defense. Our frequent changes in the centerback pairing (and frequent injuries of Brooks) have prevented us from building any serious chemistry. Three guys can cover for mistakes better than only two.
So who would be our three at the back? John Brooks? Frequently hurt, but talented, physical, strong in the air, and good with the ball at his feet. He gives you more distribution than some other options, but having a third guy back there helps cover for his occasional brain freezes. John Brooks is like the USMNT's version of David Luiz. But if he's healthy and committed, then yes, you give him a spot.
Then who else fills out the group? Cameron Carter-Vickers, Matt Miazga, Walker Zimmerman and Aaron Long is the group for me. Turn these young guys into a unit and let them develop some chemistry.
To me, those are the only 2 formations that the USMNT can play, with our lack of elite talent at various important spots on the field. If we had an elite 9, then we wouldn't need to consider a pair up front.
If we had better, more proven midfielders, we could consider something like a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2, but if we play those formations with these young guys, we will get over-run by elite teams in the midfield. So you play a flexible formation that allows you to get 5 into defense when you need it, but the default is 5 guys to give you control of the midfield, and 2 guys to play forward to in attack.
Let's see the 3-5-2! It's a hell of a formation.
