One day before Sunday's U.S. national team match against Panama, defenders Matt Besler and DeAndre Yedlin discussed the team's use of the 3-5-2 formation—and neither seemed particularly enthusiastic.

BY Blake Thomsen Posted

February 07, 2015

4:59 PM SHARE THIS STORY



—Jurgen Klinsmann's decision to use a 3-5-2 formation against Chile surprised many in American soccer circles, as the current U.S. manager—as well as his predecessor, Bob Bradley—had never used anything other than a four-man backline in his tenure.

The on-field results of the formation change were uncertain, and so were players’ reactions to the tactical switch. In the mixed zone before Saturday’s training at the StubHub Center, U.S. stalwart Matt Besler offered some thoughts on the 3-5-2.

“I thought it was OK—I think there are positives with it,” said the Sporting Kansas City center back. “But it takes work. It’s such a different formation than we’re used to playing that it takes a lot of time and a lot of practice, and that’s something we didn’t have.”

“I would assume that if he wants to go with the three-man backline we’re going to have to train it a lot harder and a lot longer,” he added.

Asked whether the formation might be better suited for a club team than for the national team, given the extensive training time needed to master the 3-5-2, Besler paused before offering a telling remark about the players’ comfort level with the three-man defense.

“I think everyone’s most comfortable with the 4-4-2,” he said. “But we don’t make the decisions. If the coaches want to play that then we’re going to work as hard as we can to master it. But I’d be surprised if we continued playing that.”

Rising star DeAndre Yedlin echoed similar sentiments about players’ lack of familiarity with the formation. “Tactically, we have a bunch of new players and a new system that nobody’s used to,” Yedlin said, explaining one of the reasons for the U.S.’s defeat in Chile.

Many have speculated that Klinsmann’s affinity for the 3-5-2 may stem from having Yedlin and Fabian Johnson in the player pool, two players for whom the 3-5-2 is seemingly designed. Asked if an attacking wingback role in a 3-5-2 is his best position on the field, Yedlin was noncommittal.

“It’s a hard question because it depends on what players are around me,” he said. “But with the right players, yes.”

At the same time, Yedlin wouldn’t go as far as to say that the 3-5-2 was the only option to get the best out of him. “With certain other players, a four-back is the best.”

In addition to today’s comments from Besler and Yedlin, national team ever-present Jermaine Jones spoke of his own discomfort in the 3-5-2 earlier this week.

“I always say when I lose, I don't play good. I don't feel I was playing good,” Jones said. “Of course, new formation, new system [and new position], it's not easy. I would say I prefer, of course, to play more midfield, but if I go back [to the backline], I prefer to play in a back four."

For now at least, it seems that Klinsmann does not have his players’ backing for the 3-5-2. That doesn’t mean that the players won’t come around, but it likely does mean that there will continue to be serious growing pains if Klinsmann persists with the formation.

Blake Thomsen is a frequent ASN contributor. Follow him on Twitter