Initial Publication Date: February 18, 2024. Updated Publication Date: December 4th, 2024.

This recommendation comes after watching the USWNT take on China, December 5th, 2023.

It was really frustrating to see the U.S. team struggle to break through the Chinese defensive formation, but it was even more frustrating to watch the U.S. fail to adapt their own attacking formation and strategy to counter the Chinese.            

My recommendation is this: teach players how to adapt to opposing strategy quickly and during the game, e.g., without having to use a substitute or waiting ’til halftime. Teach the players how to recognize a problem and adapt to it themselves, without the need for coach intervention.

For example, once the Americans realized the Chinese were running a strict 5-4-1, they should have immediately adjusted their attacking and defensive shape, as well as their approach to breaking through the Chinese defensive strategy, e.g., by playing the wings instead of playing direct/ inside.                                                       

If the players can master this type of adaptability and flexibility, we will be much more resilient and a much more ‘American’ type of team. Creativity and ingenuity are the hallmarks of American soccer and one of our greatest strengths.

Let’s emphasize that by encouraging our players to take more on-field responsibility to creatively break down the opposing team. Note, I realize communicating an on-field strategy change/ shift between 11 players may be somewhat tricky, but I’m sure the girls and coaching staff can figure it out.

I think Americans are falling into the trap of having to sacrifice our creativity to play a more ‘European’ style of soccer. I think this was emphasized by the style of play put in place by Vlatko Andonovski during his tenure as head coach of the USWNT.

While being able to play like the Europeans is useful, being locked in by their style of play is not. We must evolve, and the way to do that is encouraging on-field adaptability, ingenuity and independence. Let’s set the new standard of play. A standard which will lift up our creative strengths as Americans, while allowing us to use and counter the formation centered approach of the Europeans.

To provide a specific example of this adaptability with regard to formation, let’s go back to the December 5th game against China. To counter the Chinese 5-4-1 formation, the Americans could have used a 1-5-4, or even 0-5-5 formation. This formation change could have been temporary, e.g., 10 minutes, permanent, e.g., for the rest of the half or game, or sporadic, e.g., for a counterattack, transition play, or just during a change in possession.

Anyway, it would be nice to see this type of adaptability used during the upcoming Gold Cup tournament, the SheBelieves Cup, or at least used during the upcoming Olympics.

Go Team!