Centerback Miles Robinson

Centerback Fernando Meza

Left fullback George Bello

Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi

Central midfielder Emerson Hyndman

Central midfielder Matheus Rossetto

Right forward Pity Martinez

Left forward Ezequiel Barco

Striker Josef Martinez

The team didn’t play in a 4-3-3 while in Bradenton, but I think it wants to and it may be something you see during Saturday’s friendly in Birmingham.

The key is Monday's announced acquisition of Rossetto.

Hyndman played attacking midfielder last year. His natural position is as a central midfielder in the role played by Darlington Nagbe the previous two seasons.

Moving Hyndman into that role frees the attacking role for Rossetto to move into.

Bello gets the nod at left fullback because Jake Mulraney is a wingback or midfielder, but not really a fulback. Edgar Castillo will also see a lot of time.

I think Lennon gets the nod at fullback in place of Escobar because the team traded for Lennon and gave him a new contract. There is an attraction. That doesn’t mean Escobar won’t play at fullback. I think both will get starts.

Some of you have wondered/questioned why I put Lennon in place of Escobar at fullback. There are a couple of reasons: I think Lennon is better with the ball and Lennon will also check his temper, something Escobar couldn’t do last year. He was a near-constant yellow card. A defender playing with a yellow card can take away some of his aggressiveness.

3-5-2 Formation

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan

Centerback Franco Escobar

Centerback Miles Robinson

Centerback Fernando Meza

Right wingback Brooks Lennon

Left wingback Jake Mulraney

Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi

Central midfielder Emerson Hyndman

Central midfielder Ezequiel Barco

Striker Pity Martinez

Striker Josef Martinez

In the 3-5-2, Rossetto could play in place of Hyndman, but again, the team wouldn’t have purchased Hyndman and given him a new contract if it didn’t see him as all-formation player, in my opinion. The two could split time in the formation, though.

Mulraney gets the nod over Bello and Castillo because he is really fast. He showed it last week in the scrimmages and he can deliver a nice ball into the penalty box.