The 4-3-3 formation has stood the test of time with teams like Manchester City, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), the Portland Thorns, and Chelsea dominating with this classic setup. Read on to learn why this 4-3-3 dominates women’s soccer.
A 4-3-3 is a popular soccer formation used in 11v11 games. This means there are four defenders, three midfielders, and three forward players.
When you explain formations, start from the defensive line going forward and exclude the goalie (there is always only 1).
What are the advantages of a 4-3-3?
On the tactical end, the 4-3-3 is so popular because of the flexibility it provides for particular roles. It allows for dynamic runs and switches so players can always be involved and make creative plays, no matter where they are on the field. The 4-3-3 can also give a team control over the center of the pitch, which benefits the team on both sides of the ball.
In addition, this formation offers aggressive attacking opportunities, making it the go-to formation for many women’s soccer teams. Three attackers up top tends to be a dominating move because it grants the ability for a quick and high press, forcing teams to play more defensively. This is especially true if those attackers are quick and willing to pick the…
