By signing Chris Mavinga to play as something of a hybrid left-centre-back next season, Toronto FC would appear to be planning to keep the 3-5-2 formation that so nearly delivered an MLS Cup going into 2017.
On the surface, that is unsurprising given the way TFC struck upon something special after making the tactical switch for their last game of the regular season against the Chicago Fire. Greg Vanney had used three at the back sporadically throughout the year, but after the permanent change Toronto won five, drew one and lost one of their remaining seven matches.