Is Columbus Crew SC on the verge of a formation change in 2017?

During his three seasons in charge of the Black and Gold, manager Gregg Berhalter has almost exclusively relied on a 4-2-3-1 shape. Those tactics, combined with the players implementing them on the field, brought initial success. Columbus made the playoffs in the first two years of Berhalter’s tenure, including an MLS Cup appearance to cap off 2015.

But things changed the following season. After averaging 52.5 points during those first two years under Berhalter, Crew SC took a step back in 2016. They managed just 36 points and finished with the third-worst record in Major League Soccer.

A combination of factors played a part. The back line had myriad issues, letting in 58 goals which was tied for second worst in the league. Offensively, things were in flux all year. Between Federico Higuain‘s nagging core muscle injury, a down year from Ethan Finlay and the transition up top from Kei to Ola Kamara, consistency was a hard thing to come by in the attacking third.

But soccer, like most sports, is a game of adjustments and adaptability. Being static rather than fluid strategically makes a given team predictable. And in a parity driven league like MLS where there’s a razor thin margin between contention and pretension, being tactically inflexible can result in a move towards the latter.

Though it remains uncertain as to what Berhalter’s plan of attack is for 2017, it can’t hurt to visualize which personnel would comprise a hypothetical 3-5-2. But first, here’s some background as to why such a switch makes sense at this point.

What a Columbus Crew SC 3-5-2 Might Look Like

The 3-5-2: Going Retro Baby!

What do the 3-5-2 formation and old Nintendo video games have in common? Both can trace their origins back to the 1980s. And both made a comeback of sorts recently in their own unique iterations.

But you won’t need to pay four times retail on eBay due to a laughable miscalculation of demand to see the 3-5-2 in action. If you watched Euro 2016 at all, you witnessed why it’s suddenly become so en vogue. Italy’s Antonio Conte and Wales’ Chris Coleman implemented the formation successfully during the tournament. For the Welsh, it resulted in a Cinderella run to the semifinals.

Closer to home, Toronto FC utilized three at the back down the stretch last year to great effect. In five MLS Cup Playoff games, they averaged a goal difference of 2.57 goals per game en route to the final. And despite losing in a penalty shootout, they held an offensively potent Seattle Sounders squad to no shots on goal through 120 minutes.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, especially when it’s a winning formula being imitated. For Crew SC, it might also be a means to an end with respect to evolving and adapting tactically. If the 3-5-2 is in their future, which personnel would figure into it? And how might their roles differ from the 4-2-3-1?

Projecting the Back Three

Central defense is what really distinguishes the 3-5-2 from other formations. Simply put, there are three center backs on the pitch instead of the usual two you see in a back four. The two outside backs push higher up the field, but we’ll get to them later.

The inherent advantage of this tweak comes down to a sheer numbers game in the box. The added central defender makes it harder for opposing attackers to find space around goal. But it does create challenges when it comes to marking and requires technically sound players able to effectively distribute out of the back.

What has observers prognosticating a possible Crew SC formation change in 2017 is the off-season moves up to this point. Whether through the transfer market, inter-league trades or the draft, Berhalter appears to be stockpiling center backs. The most high-profile acquisition was bringing in Ghanaian defender Jonathan Mensah as a designated player.

Despite losing Michael Parkhurst to Atlanta United and Gaston Sauro to a season-ending knee injury, Columbus currently has five center backs on the roster. All are listed below in addition to previous team and date of acquisition.

Nicolai Naess; Stabaek (Norway); July 21, 2016

Alex Crognale (Homegrown signing); Maryland; December 20, 2016

Jonathan Mensah; Anzhi Makhachkala (Russia); January 3, 2017

Josh Williams; Toronto FC; January 5, 2017

Lalas Abubakar (MLS SuperDraft); Dayton; January 13, 2017

Both Naess and Mensah have European club experience, Williams has logged over 8,000 minutes in MLS and the two rookies in Crognale and Abubakar excelled collegiately and may be able to contribute immediately.

Optimistically, all five could be in the mix. But from an experience standpoint, the ideal three-man back line consists of Williams, Naess and Mensah.

What Works at Wingback?

Perhaps no other role in a 3-5-2 requires more out of whoever occupies it than wing-back. As it is, the modern game asks much out of such players when they’re slotted as fullbacks in a more conventional four-man back line. One must be sound in defense while knowing when to time runs into the attacking third without getting caught too far forward if possession is lost.

Defensive responsibility becomes even more important when the full backs become more advanced “wing-halves.” One of the bigger deficiencies of the 3-5-2 is the lack of width inherent in the formation. Teams with dynamic wide players who can get in behind the wing-halves are liable to create havoc in the final third. This is especially true on counterattacks, something Crew SC continues to be susceptible to.

Harrison Afful is an obvious choice on the right side of the formation. The diminutive Ghanaian has established himself as one of the better right backs in MLS. And he continues to contribute for his country as evidenced by the minutes he’s garnered at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations this month.

Options are aplenty on the left, though. Columbus could go with new signing Jukka Raitala or Waylon Francis who’s been a mainstay at left back for most of his time with the team. But here’s an intriguing option. How about Justin Meram?

2016 was arguably Meram’s best as a pro. The longest tenured player on Crew SC’s roster is well-known among fans for his exploits in the attack. But he really evolved into an effective two-way player last season. His 62 tackles were the most for an attacking midfielder in the entire league.

Slotting Meram into a more withdrawn role on the flanks is a risky proposition. And there are certainly other options on the team as is clear above. But he was arguably the best player on the team last year and part of it was due to his defensive work.

It may be a gamble worth trying out, especially in the preseason.

A Tried and Tested Central Midfield Trio

If there’s a segment of the starting XI that likely won’t change much from the 4-2-3-1, it’s the triumvirate in central midfield. Federico Higuain would maintain his playmaking role in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, the double pivot of Wil Trapp and Tony Tchani in front of the backline would also remain.

Having said that, Tchani experienced a significant drop-off in playing time last year. After making a combined 55 regular season starts the previous two seasons, he managed just 20 in 2016. Whether or not this is an aberration or a trend for the box-to-box midfielder remains to be seen.

Trapp comes into 2017 as the incumbent starter in the deep-lying midfield role. But he’ll be getting some help this year. The club announced Tuesday that it has signed Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Abu from Strømsgodset in Norway’s top flight. His role on the pitch is pretty much identical to Trapp’s. But Abu’s likely a replacement for Mohammed Saeid, who went to Minnesota United in the MLS Expansion Draft.

Even Higuain is a question mark. The 32-year-old number ten underwent sports hernia surgery in June and never really returned to 100 percent for the rest of last season’s campaign. He managed four goals and three assists, both the lowest outputs since he joined Crew SC. A player of his caliber could thrive as a central chance creator behind two forwards. But he’ll need to stay healthy.

Whichever trio Crew SC utilizes in central midfield, it shouldn’t change much operationally in a 3-5-2.

Double Trouble Up Top

Rarely has Crew SC gone with a two-striker system under Berhalter. The lone center forward up top has treated the club pretty well, especially in 2015 when Kei Kamara scored 26 goals across all competitions. Even last year, Ola Kamara settled in nicely after Kei’s fiery departure. In just 20 starts, he netted 16 goals, converting on over 42 percent of his shots on target.

How to make two forwards work might be the biggest challenge of implementing the 3-5-2. Who do you pair with Kamara? The two obvious choices are Ethan Finlay and Adam Jahn. Jahn and Kamara could make a dynamic one-two punch with the former more of a traditional number nine and the latter preferring to find space and run the channels. Finlay and Meram have less experience in such a role but are both comfortable tucking in centrally from their traditional wide positions.

Putting It All Together

Having discussed all the moving parts, it’s now time to visualize what could be in store if a formation change is imminent. The most uncertain positions in terms of a bona fide starter appear to be left wing-back, Trapp’s partner in front of the back three, and the number two forward alongside Kamara. As such, all possible starters will be included.

Graphic credit: ShareMyTactics.com

Keep in mind that this is all hypothetical at this point. Berhalter’s defensive acquisitions in the off-season may just be a determined effort to shore up a back line that conceded its fair share of goals in 2016. Perhaps the 4-2-3-1 will still be his shape of choice.

But given recent developments in the global game, and given the success teams have realized because of those developments, a sea change may be occurring. And Crew SC may be the latest side to attempt to reap the rewards.

In the end, a 3-5-2 formation will inevitably become one of two things for the Black and Gold: an eight-bit fantasy like getting a NES Classic for Christmas, or a footballing reality in the club’s ambitions to become contenders once more.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Crew SC Communications.