Pochettino's 3-4-3 formation drives USMNT to two World Cup wins

Mauricio Pochettino entered the 2026 World Cup with several unanswered questions about the United States roster, including the starting goalkeeper, centre-back options and the team's tactical shape. After two group-stage victories, the coach appears to have settled on a 3-4-3 system that features Matt Freese in goal and a back three, a formation that was adjusted to a 3-5-2 when left winger Christian Pulisic was unavailable against Australia.

The United States opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over Paraguay, then defeated Australia 2-0, securing the top spot in Group D. In both games the team generated the majority of its attacks down the right flank, with wing play from Weston McKennie and Serginio Dest creating space against opposing defenses. A notable moment came when a pass from Antonee Robinson to Folarin Balogun led to an own goal by Australian defender Cameron Burgess, marking the first instance of consecutive own-goals for any team in World Cup history.

Pochettino said his squad had the personnel to execute the new formation, adding, "> I think we have players that play in this new formation. I think it’s good to have different plans and approaches to the games, to use different formations."

The tactical shift has allowed key players to operate in roles that accentuate their strengths. Balogun is tasked with channel runs and finishing, while Dest and Robinson are positioned higher up the pitch, reducing defensive exposure for Dest and enabling Robinson’s overlapping runs. The back-three provides additional protection for centre-back Tim Ream and allows Chris Richards to contribute effectively in possession.

Pre-tournament friendlies against Senegal demonstrated the effectiveness of the 3-4-3, with the United States scoring early and securing a win after Balogun came off the bench. The coach noted that previous defeats in 2026 friendlies occurred when the team employed a 4-2-3-1 system.

As the United States prepares for its third group match against Turkey, the focus will shift to maintaining tactical discipline and psychological resilience in tighter contests. The team’s progress will depend on more than formation, but the early results suggest that Pochettino’s adaptable approach is paying dividends.