World Cup 2026: How Mauricio Pochettino's lithe midfielder allows Team USA to thrive

Over the past two seasons, many teams have stuck to a rigid structure in their quest to dominate the pitch. A very common attacking formation has become the 3-2-2-3 formation, which creates a 'box' in midfield - teams such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal have moved a defender into midfield to achieve this. At the World Cup, teams are willing to rethink this rigid structure with a more flexible approach with the ball, and one of the best examples of this has been the style of play of the USA team under Mauricio Pochettino. We analyze their unique approach, moves and intentions as they look to continue their successful World Cup start against Australia in Group D on Friday (20:00 BST).In the match against Paraguay, which ended in an impressive 4-1 USA victory, it was difficult to determine what tactics the team used. On paper, one could talk about a 4-2-3-1 formation with Sergino Dest as the right winger. However, once the USA gained possession, it was more like playing with three at the back, a fairly common tactic. US right-back Alex Freeman and centre-backs Chris Richards and Tim Ream formed a back three, with central midfielder Tyler Adams positioned in front of them. Left-back Antone Robinson moved higher and replicated Dest's more advanced role at the other end, both keeping along the touchline. Folarin Balogun remained high on the pitch in the forward position. Left winger Christian Pulisic moved centrally from the wing and occupied a central position alongside midfielders Malik Tillman and Weston McInney.

For many coaches using a traditional positional system, Adams and Tillman would probably sit at the base of the midfield box, with Pulisic on the left attacking position and McInney on the right. However, the US approach was different. Instead, we saw a system in which only certain players maintained their positions. This concerned three central defenders, two full-backs and a striker. The four players who made up the US "box" - Adams, Tilghman, McInney and Pulisic - were able to move freely between positions, get close to each other and play on the same side of the field. Additionally, there was some fluidity between Pulisic and Robinson as they switched roles at certain points, one acting as a free center player and the other as a tight left winger.This approach created problems for Paraguay, who defended in a zonal fashion - meaning that players were tasked with defending specific zones rather than individual players. The free movement of the US midfielders allowed them to occupy open spaces on the field that Paraguay had to defend. This resulted in these players often being left unmarked with time and space on the ball. Playing close in midfield also brought added benefits. Combinations of short passes helped draw Paraguay's players towards the ball and, together with tricky off-the-ball movement, stretched the field, allowing the US to find their striker with minimal opponents around him. Pochettino's men looked to cut through the defense through behind-the-back passes and quickly, using Paraguay's pressing, and the speedy Balogun was able to turn those chances into goals. It was impressive to see the team play outside the typical patterns seen at club level. Against a stronger opponent, they can return to clearer positional play. But the tactics used made it possible to make the most of the players' qualities - the attacking breakthroughs of Balogun, the dribbling of Pulisic, the movement work of McInney and Adams, as well as the speed of Robinson and Dest.---## Related Articles1. Brasile Kaharap ang Haiti sa Mahalaga at Dekisibong Laban para sa World Cup 2026 2. Mundial 2026