Wilmer Cabrera's tactics favor possession with a purpose

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Growing up in Colombia, Wilmer Cabrera learned that possession in soccer was more than nine-tenths of the law. It was all of the law.

"You play when you have the ball," Cabrera said. "When you don't have the ball you have to run. We don't like to run. We like to play."

The new Dynamo boss has coached at a handful of levels in the United States since 2005. While he still adores his South American roots he has learned to adapt to the American game.

The soccer culture is different in the United States. It is more physical and often more direct.

In three years in MLS and six at the US Soccer youth levels, Cabrera learned that the best strategy for success in the United States is possession with a purpose.

"What is the purpose? We need to find the goal," Cabrera said. "We need to go and attack. If we have that possession-oriented style toward the goal that is going to be good."

As much as Cabrera wants to attack, however, he said it cannot happen without balance. Scoring goals is nice but not if the team is leaving itself exposed in the back.

Wilmer Cabrera speaks after being introduced as the new head coach for the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Friday,Oct. 28, 2016 in Houston. Wilmer Cabrera speaks after being introduced as the new head coach for the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Friday,Oct. 28, 2016 in Houston. Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Wilmer Cabrera's tactics favor possession with a purpose 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

His Rio Grande Valley FC side was balanced all season. The Toros set a USL record by playing 758 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal. It helped the Toros go 10 games without a loss.

He said he knows how to play with three or five defenders but prefers to play with four. He intends to use a 4-2-3-1 formation most often with the goal of having the defensive midfielders winning the ball and then starting the attack.

"The 4-2-3-1 formation will help us a lot in this league to make a transition because that can turn into 4-3-3," Cabrera said. "You can attack with three guys. Then you don't have to leave your team unbalanced. If you don't have balance you're going to suffer."

Tactics are not the only thing that matter to Cabrera. It also is important that the players have freedom to express themselves on the pitch.

Without expression there is no joy. Without joy there is no hard work. Without hard work there are no results. Without results there are no championships.

Championships are what everybody wants, especially the Dynamo who have hired Cabrera with the intention that he is the man to lead them back to the top of the league.

"I want (the players) to show personality," Cabrera said. "I want them to show confidence. I want them to show balance. When a team shows that I feel comfortable because that is my personality. That's the way I played the game. That's the way I teach the game."