Fullbacks, unleashed: NYCFC laud Torrent's shift to 3-4-3 formation

ORANGEBURG, N.Y. ā€” There was no lightbulb moment, not in film study, not in a coaches meeting.


For Dome Torrent, there was simply a realization that a change was needed when New York City FC failed to win their first five games of 2019.


So he instituted a 3-4-3 formation. It didnā€™t yield the desired result immediately, with the club drawing 3-3 with Minnesota United FC in their first match in the new shape. But since that April 13 game when Allianz Field opened, NYCFC have won three of their last four, conceding just once in that stretch.


ā€œMaybe we have the right players to play this system. I repeat many times, the most important thing in soccer is the players,ā€ Torrent said after training Tuesday. ā€œIf I want to play 4-3-3, we need maybe the right wingers and maybe you donā€™t have these kind of players, you have to change, especially when you donā€™t get results.ā€


The change in shape has generated wins, and thus confidence, in an NYCFC side who have quickly moved up the Eastern Conference table with their current run of form. They currently sit in fifth place ahead of their clash with the LA Galaxy Saturday (4 pm ET | ESPN, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada) at Dignity Health Sports Park.


ā€œItā€™s about the feeling when you play ā€” they play more comfortable and itā€™s about the results,ā€ Torrent said. ā€œWhen the results are much better, everyone has confidence in the system.ā€



Indeed, the players have lauded the change, especially fullbacks Anton Tinnerholm and Ben Sweat, who have the green light, and the comfort, to push forward in attack with the understanding thereā€™s more cover with three central defenders.


ā€œI feel way more comfortable,ā€ Sweat said. ā€œI donā€™t have to hesitate to go forward because I know thereā€™s three more behind me and thereā€™s two holding mids behind me as well. That helps Anton and I for sure.ā€


Added Tinnerholm: ā€œFor me, itā€™s fun. When weā€™re attacking Iā€™m a winger, and when Iā€™m defending Iā€™m a fullback. Itā€™s a lot of running, but you have to use what youā€™re good at. I like that.ā€


While the wins have come following the shift in formation, Tinnerholm and Sweat bristled at the suggestion the club struggled early in the season. Sure, they didnā€™t win, but they only lost once.


ā€œI donā€™t know, to be honest, if we struggled,ā€ Tinnerholm said. ā€œWe lost one game in 10 games. For us, we just keep on going and with the formation weā€™re using now, everyone is very comfortable with that. Especially in the end of games, weā€™ve been a little more relaxed this year.ā€


Those thoughts, they believe, were a bit overstated, by fans and media alike.


ā€œItā€™s easy to blow things up,ā€ Sweat said. ā€œObviously we only had one loss and if you look at the big picture, itā€™s one loss. I think we have one of the best records in the league now after a few wins. We just have to keep this form going.ā€