-- how the 4-3-2-1 functioned vs. Nigeria

-- roles / responsibilities of the outside of the “3”

-- vulnerabilities

-- strictness (or lack) of formation

Pretty much a textbook xmas tree formation

They seemed to have a tactical objective to create a vacant square in front of the CBs

The outside “3” on the ball side (Bedoya) pressured the ball, while the opposite outside “3” (Jones) would form the top of square level w/Beckerman

BEDOYA

JONES

The opposite side FB plays vary narrow, seeming to invite switch

-- the reason I am convinced we played xmas tree is the related movement of the outside “3”s

24:41 -- Ball on Jones's side, he is active in pressure / marking. Bedoya pinches in to complete the vacant square

JONES

BEDOYA

BECKERMAN

24:58 -- field is switched. Bedoya assumes a pressure / marking role; Beckerman slides across flat; Jones completes the square

The top of the xmas tree is ready to collapse and pressure balls played into this area. We generated several turnovers this way

BEDOYA

BECKERMAN

JONES

25:09 --- ball is switched again. Jones applies individual pressure; Beckerman slides across; Bedoya shifts to complete the square

There was interchanging at the top of the xmas tree

BECKERMAN

BEDOYA

JONES

-- an instance of not establishing the “vacant square” in front of back four

Jones is a little late getting back based on ordinary game flow (I don't recall the specific circumstance here); Bedoya pressuring ball

Jones does get back, but Bradley occupied so doesn't pressure ball. Lots of players walking (both teams) but player making run behind MB

Jones feels obliged to pressure vertically near circle; ball is played to the side he is supposed to pressure wide; square broken; runner comes in under Beckerman

JONES

BECKERMAN

Nigeria not pressing hard (they never attacked our corners)and ball played back, but now Beckerman marking (getting to goal-side shoulder) and has to follow runner; Jones still not back to square (but Bedoya getting to his corner)

JONES

BEDOYA

Beckerman pulled out; Jones too high; Bradley too far from ball to apply direct pressure. Note also how narrow far-side FB is (Fab-J)

JONES

Nigeria able to play short thru ball into space; forces multiple defenders to collapse

Leads eventually to pretty harmless shot but potential was there for more damaging attack

-- JK's comments about how formation doesn't matter

-- how this xmas tree transitions in attack

From slow build-up out of our third/half, MB receives deep and they attack as a 3-5-2. Bedoya stayed very high and wide when we had sustained possession.

On the left, Beasley is advance of Jones. But on the right, Bedoya is advance of Johnson

Here's the 3 from the 3-5-2....

But when play developed differently, they sometimes attacked like the 4-4-2 diamond with Bradley at the top (in this particular moment, he is ahead of the “2”)

The fullbacks providing width as would be expected in skinny diamond

DEMPSEY

JOZY

-- another example of the “vacant square” being broken

I don't recall the specific circumstances but here a runner has gotten behind the front line of the square. Also MB gets pulled too far wide pressuring the ball

BECKERMAN

Ball gets centered; Jones + MB out of position; Beckerman breaks to pressure ball and now the Nigeria player in the square is unmarked -- Beasley + Besler both man-marking. Again, very narrow

BECKERMAN

However, ball is played wide the other way. Jones has to hustle to close up his corner of the square

well done -- he gets there. Again, so narrow on the opposite side

Nigeria notices imbalance. Switch play; one wide attacker unmarked

Besler marking this guy

Fortunately for US, Nigeria very casual. However multiple defenders need to switch off their marks

Ball is eventually laid back for shot from on-running midfielder. Not especially threatening but could have been if under pressure from a more energized or skilled opponent

Nigeria not really committing numbers to attack

-- an example of recovering defensive shape after a breakdown breakdown. Indicates level to which this “system” is understood . This one as a result of Jones getting clipped on the ankle and staying down without the official stopping play

Jones is down upfield after a break so positioning very fractured. CBs too close, Beckerman too deep, nobody to form corners of square

Jozy tracking back as he did multiple times (in this game and in other send-offs)

BECKERMAN

MB with aggressive pressure as usual. Beckerman trying to get in position. CBs not getting pulled out of line by stepping forward to mark. Seems very intentional that they not get out of square

But Beckerman has to man-mark, Jones is still down. Jozy got back but trying to pressure ball. Square open...

BECKERMAN

But again lack of urgency from Nigeria has ball wide. Bedoya back to pressure ball that side, Jozy takes Jones's corner of the square...

Beasley totally isolated with much bigger striker on far post. Nigeria never served in anything....

JOZY

BEDOYA

...and in fact Jozy cuts across to tackle away an entry pass. See how CBs remain totally flat back there at all costs. Even leaving Beasley to mark that much taller striker while being so narrow.

-- one more instance of a defensive breakdown

-- I think in this case we had just countered on Nigeria but a pass was cut out and they brought it back against the grain with many of our players out of position

Ball on far side; CBs not on same line; Beasley marking tall striker; Beckerman totally playing zone (has back to runner)

JONES

Beckerman now has to man-mark as ball played back. Jones + both CBs way too close together. Defense incredibly narrow as usual. There is no “square” to be found

Jozy tracking back once again

JONES

Jozy pressuring ball now

Jones not being at his corner of the square means Beasley now has two players to be accountable for. Plus still one free winger

JONES

Because there was no top to the square, Jones could not stop the wide pass, nor the thru pass that player makes towards goal. Beasley frozen due to wide run

One of the few times where both our CBs were man-marking. To my eyes it seems this scheme is to ensure there is always one defender free to clean up the mess

Fortunately Besler sees this run all the way and tackles ball away for corner. Both he and Howard complain to ref about no offside call but honestly he looked on to me

Summary / Notes-- Nigeria didn't put a whole lot into their attacking play.

Perhaps flattered the defensive shape, Beckerman's ability to contribute

-- MB is key to everything

-- Jones had a great match

-- Jozy did a lot of little things besides the brace

-- there were 5-7 flicked-on headers in attack that I have not seen much of under JK. New wrinkle perhaps? The triangle at top of xmas tree works well for that

-- Beasley very positionally sound, but this opponent did not seem very invested in attacking the corners/wide