When Brian Schmetzer talks about how the 4-2-3-1 and this year’s 3-4-2-1 are playing with similar philosophies there are a few reasons. Much of this comes to how fullback Nouhou would often flex into a left centerback role while fullback Alex Roldan would burst forward like a wingback or even shading centrally. In some ways these actions reduced the value of using numerical labels.
At the same time calling it a 4-2-3-1 made sense. The defensive shape would be with even-backs. Even backs are almost always four in defense, where odd-backs can be three or five.
For the most part, the numerology of soccer is that the defensive state is what creates the numbers.
This year could get interesting, because some of the formations the Sounders are using operate quite differently based on personnel. Recently Schmetzer said that there are roles for Georgi Minoungou and Pedro de la Vega, but also clarified that “they aren’t wingbacks.” Neither are Jordan Morris, Jesús Ferreira, Albert Rusnák, Paul Rothrock.
But, they may be asked to play in those wide roles, rather than the dual-10s or double-9s of a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2.
So what do you call it when Jesús and Albert are behind Jordan and the wide players are Georgi and Pedro? They aren’t fullbacks. They aren’t expected to defend as deep as the centerback. They probably aren’t going to defend as deep as the holding mids.
What are they? Wingers.
This is where language and the X-X-X-X labels get fun. Because there’s still wide, deep zones to defend, even when the label makes it seem empty. A holding mid could shift over, or the outside centerback could. That second option usually results in central players moving a line deeper.
Another way to control that deep wide space is to prevent the ball from entering it. That comes from higher pressure – something which all of the Sounders attackers are good at aspects of and all are active when defending.
Don’t lock yourself into a shorthand that makes you think a player is being asked to do something they aren’t good at. In the various scrimmages so far, and in his public statements, coach isn’t putting players “out of position.” Instead it is a philosophy of leaning into availability, opponent and individual talents to put together a plan that is guided by the player profiles rather than the language of soccer.
Maybe another way to look at it is via a Depth Chart style chart. Jordan Morris would be a horrible fullback, a mediocre wingback and a great winger. So why ask him to be something mediocre, if it’s unnecessary? You can invert that conversation for Nouhou. With Alex he’s been a good wingback, a mediocre fullback and flirted at being a winger. Paul Arriola is a good winger, a decent wingback and a bad fullback.
The interoperability of the roster, with so many players capable of being better than average in multiple roles means that we can see fluidity that’s hard to define. It’s going to be fun to watch, even if our language and tautology is challenged.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next competitive match: At Antigua GFC in Concacaf Champions Cup on Feb 19 at 5 pm PT.
- Early preseason is going to plan
- Everybody gets a goal: Sounders score 5 in win over Aalborg
- Obed Vargas’ asking price is reportedly $10 million
- Sounders considered seventh most valuable MLS team
- Nos Audietis: Matt Doyle breaks down every Western Conference team’s offseason
- Leagues Cup officially unveils new format
- Sound Bites: The Sounders won’t be in the U.S. Open Cup?!?
- MLS Season Pass returns
- Lobbing Scorchers Official Ambition Ratings
Reign
Next match: Hosting a flailing Gotham FC on March 15 at 7 pm PT.
- As a reminder all Reign stories can be found here. Expect a new one soon, as training camp is open and so is media availability.
Defiance
Next match: At Ventura County on March 7 at 7 pm PT.
Spokane
Velocity host One Knoxville on March 16 at 4 pm PT.
Zephyr are at Dallas Trinity on February 22 at 2 pm PT.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Thompson and Thompson are staying in Angel City.
There’s more transfer money in the women’s game than ever before. That’s not because the NWSL is fading, but because everywhere is spending more on women’s soccer.
Tigres wanted Dejan Joveljic, but Sporting KC got the Galaxy star instead, probably.
Comcast explains their part of the new MLS Season Pass availability. tl;dr - MLS 360 is free for Xfinity subscribers. The whip-around show is a great entry point for the league.
New Memorial Stadium is going to be 6,500 seats and much of the funding is from private donors. It's going to be ready in 2027 if everything goes to plan (so probably later).
Former host Julie Stewart-Binks sues Fox, says FS1 executive sexually assaulted her (New York Times)
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