Whatever you want to call it (a 3-5-2, a 3-4-2-1, a 5-2-2-1), Columbus Crew SC’s new formation is all the rage.
“Depending on what phase of defending you’re in, you can define it different ways,” head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “If it’s a medium-block press, you can say it’s three in the back or four in the back. If it’s a low block, it looks more like five. But the important thing is you’re shifting. It’s fluid.”
This new look was discussed throughout the preseason, seen briefly in the second half of the Black & Gold’s friendly with the Charleston Battery and finally debuted in competitive action in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over D.