Pochettino’s fluid USA midfield is working

For the last few years, many clubs looking to dominate the ball have done so in a rigid manner.

The most famous shape in possession has been the 3-2-2-3 set-up, with a box in midfield – sides like Man City, Chelsea, and Arsenal have moved a full-back into midfield to be able to do this.

In the current World Cup, squads have been willing to reimagine that strict structure, taking a more fluid approach on the ball, and 1 of the most popular examples has been the United States under Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentinian head coach showed that during his team’s 4-1 triumph vs. Paraguay in the past weekend in their opener. When you 1^st look at the system, you can claim that it was a 4-2-3-1 shape with Sergino Dest at the right wing.

However, when the host nation secures the ball, it looked like more 3 in the at the back – a very known tactic.

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Pochettino changed things a little, with only certain footballers being tasked with holding their position. That created a lot of problems for their opponent, who defended in a zonal manner, and the USA’s tactic led to their players to be often being unmarked with time and space with the possession.

Mauricio Pochettino inherited a US team littered with complacent players, but he has established a culture that has given them an ‘edge’:

❌ Doing the opposite to Bielsa
🧑‍🍼 Family time at World Cup base
🗣️ “Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast”
🎵 Singing Born in the USA after… pic.twitter.com/u8nRcOSs7z

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 19, 2026