In preseason, when Columbus Crew SC discussed potentially playing a three-man backline, the questions immediately turned to Federico Higuain.
The Black & Gold’s playmaker seemed to be the odd man out in a potential 3-5-2 formation, but as it turns out, the altered 3-4-2-1 look still has a spot for him.
One player who has made the biggest adjustment is midfielder Wil Trapp.
In Columbus’ more traditional 4-4-1-1 under head coach Gregg Berhalter, Trapp was asked to be the defensive anchor in the midfield, dropping back as a third central defender while in attack, as the fullbacks pushed up the field to provide width.