Which was better? ... The LA Galaxy's 4-2-3-1 formation or San Diego FC's 4-3-1-2

FanSided MLS

·28 de mayo de 2025

Which was better? ... The LA Galaxy's 4-2-3-1 formation or San Diego FC's 4-3-1-2

When head coaches assemble their Starting XI, they look at their roster and try to produce a lineup that sets their team up for success on offense and defense.

Two of the most common formations seen in Major Leauge Soccer are the 4-3-3 and the 4-4-2. The first number indicates how many are on the back defensive line. If the formation has a three numbers, the second digit indicates how many reside in the midfield. The third and final number offers the remaining players to play up top in a forward position.

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"I think we have compounded too many mistakes on ourselves over the course of the season and haven't cut them off, where if one guy makes a mistake, then the next one."Greg Vanney, head coach of the LA Galax

The two formations offer balance on the defensive and attacking fronts. On last Saturday, when the Los Angeles Galaxy played San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium, both teams utilized two different formations with some similarities.

With the new rivals scoring a minute apart from one another, the 1-1 game suddenly went in favor of San Diego with a score in stoppage time during the second half.

Why the 4-2-3-1 formation was used by the LA Galaxy?

This formation was rather successful for the defending champions last season, especially during the postseason run that saw the franchise win their sixth MLS Cup.

This particular formation uses four defenders, two defensive midfielders, three attacking midfielders, and a single striker. It provides a strong defensive foundation while allowing for creative playmaking and varied attacking options.

"The lost points on errors and mistakes, it's high, too high for us to be in the mix. When you get to this point, one of the keys for all of us, players, former players, is the consistency getting through games without, okay, you don't have to be perfect but you can't make big mistakes. There's a big difference between mistakes and costly mistakes. I think for us, we've had too many of the version where we have compounded mistakes, is really what I get to. "Greg Vanney, head coach of the LA Galaxy

San Diego FC used the 4-3-1-2 formation on Saturday and it worked

This setup is considered an attacking formation, with a strong presence in the center of the pitch and a focus on attacking width through the fullbacks. Mikey Varas may have outcoached the two-time MLS Cup winning play caller, Greg Vanney.

While the LA Galaxy scored first when midfielder Diego Fagundez found the back of the net playing up top, San Diego FC had an immediate answer when Luca de la Torre tied it up 1-1.

The newcomers to MLS showed the league why they are a superior team in the MLS Western Conference and perhaps the best California-based soccer club in the league. They now have won twice against the six-time MLS Cup champions.

According to Reddit.com, "The 4-3-1-2 has been used a lot recently by both young managers, just as much as older managers. Just as the beautiful game has evolved, so has the 4-3-1-2."

While it remains to be seen if Vanney sticks with the 4-2-3-1 formation again or switch, it does pose a worthy question as the defending MLS champions, the LA Galaxy, remain winless in their first 15 games this regular season.

Next up is the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night at Dignity Health Sports Park. Last season, the LA Galaxy went unbeaten in all 16 games played in Carson, California.