Minnesota United FC starting formations

March 3, 2017 at 7:17AM
Minnesota United FC John Alvbage photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC John Alvbage photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

OK, Loons, now let's get in formation, as Beyoncé says.

A formation is how the 10 field players — defenders, midfielders and forwards — line up, minus keeper John Alvbage. There are many formations, and teams often master several to match up better with certain opponents.

United coach Adrian Heath has favored the 4-2-3-1 in the past and likely will continue that trend with United. He probably also will employ a 4-3-3, depending on whether the team is home or away and other factors.

For the opener at Portland, expect a 4-3-3, with Collen Warner acting as a holding midfielder while Mohammed Saeid and Rasmus Schuller are central midfielders. Wingers Miguel Ibarra and Kevin Molino will support striker Johan Venegas in the attack.

The 4-2-3-1, by contrast, provides four lines to cover the field instead of three and is flexible in-game, with the wingers either pushing forward into the attack to make it like that 4-3-3 or dropping back into the midfield/defense to make it more like a 4-4-2.

Schuller would be the central midfielder, with Warner and Saeid sitting back to form a defensive block with the center-backs, Francisco Calvo and Vadim Demidov. This gives attacking players more freedom because of the defensive support behind them. However, this formation is harder on the left-back Justin Davis and and right-back Jermaine Taylor. With less support, those players must be strong defenders.

MEGAN RYAN

Minnesota United FC Miguel Ibarra photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC Miguel Ibarra photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC Rasmus Schuller photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC Rasmus Schuller photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC Jermaine Taylor photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC Jermaine Taylor photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC Johan Venegas photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC Johan Venegas photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC Francisco Calvo photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC Francisco Calvo photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC Justin Davis photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC Justin Davis photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC Kevin Molino photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC Kevin Molino photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC Vadim Demidov photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC Vadim Demidov photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC's Collen Warner in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC’s Collen Warner in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC's Mo Saied in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota United FC’s Mo Saied in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

More from Sports

See More
card image

Lee Stecklein, 31, has won too many championships to count in her long career, but this goal-scoring spree is all new.

card image
card image