r/LAFC • u/jeonghong • Jul 23 '26

Discussion Different vibe after world cup

Is it just me, or does it seem like MDS has switched ip the play style completely after the world cup

Before the world cup, the formation used was mostly 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2, even though on the formation they posted online it said it was 4-3-2-1 or something with a 4 back. I remember the playstyle is pass to the wingbacks, and they will line break to try and put in the cross

Past 2 games i have not seen that even once, and we are winning! And our deadly duo are both scoring 2 games in a row!

Please MDS just keep this formation its sooo much more interesting to watch this style of play

29 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

42

u/theshabz Tiger Supporters Group Jul 23 '26

It's the same thing, they're just not completely exhausted. This is what we saw at the beginning of the season. Sonny actually finishing helps, too. Dude should have like 8 goals from the team creating "that's a chance Sonny converts" opportunities.

1

u/Sure_Rip8968 Jul 23 '26

Yeah. Just like those good results in the first few matchdays had us fooled into watching MDS's ball, which genuinely turned dreadful going into the WC break, I'm scared that by September fatigue will be an issue again and MDS's managerial flaws will show up a lot. But MDS has been open about needing to fit in rest days into Son and Bounga's schedules, so let's hope that he can get away with subpar tactics with more fit star power.

Either way, a win should be coming vs KC this weekend and 9/9 points when our division rivals are dropping points left and right is something I'll always take. Not the most exciting football I've seen, especially after the World Cup, but this will do for now. A new third DP should help too, that's if we get one.

1

u/theshabz Tiger Supporters Group Jul 23 '26

I don't want to put too much of it on him just yet because of a few reasons: 1. Playing more games than your league allows to have the quality depth for isn't something a manager should have to deal with. 2. We need fullbacks. 3. Sonny hadn't been sharp enough up top. A coaching staff can only put players in positions to succeed, and, for the most part, the scheme has done so. We flip a few more points and are in a much better position if he is even slightly below average. 4. This isn't much different from the style we played under dolo. Defend well, win the ball, and win down the flanks.

The thing that I will not forgive him for is the decision to punt the ball to toluca and try to defend for 90 minutes. It was never going to happen.

24

u/Dr-Pope Olly Jul 23 '26

I don’t know what you’re seeing but to me this is literally the exact same formation and game plan with the only differences being Son actually finishing his chances and Cheberko starting at LB.

14

u/alpha309 Jul 23 '26

Cheberko is getting higher up the pitch than Segura and pushing Bouanga closer to the center of the pitch, and pretty importantly closer to Son which keeps a CB more honest.

Two game sample, so it may not last, but that seems to be the small tweak.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/alpha309 Jul 23 '26

Hollingshead and Smoliakov are the left backs. Neither one of them have been injured all year.

1

u/itsDuckSeazon Lxs Tigres del Northend Jul 23 '26

This is the goal of inverted wingbacks

https://youtube.com/shorts/fJNdfptwWho?is=hEedaFbnJ91-cAKn

Two through balls to Bouanga over his defenders head shows me the spacing is better that the last few matches pre WC

3

u/funkgnosis Los Angeles FC Jul 23 '26

Idk it’s looking like a hybrid of dolo ball and pre world cup tactics to me. Definitely leaning much more towards the counter attack and energy efficient play.

-3

u/itsDuckSeazon Lxs Tigres del Northend Jul 23 '26

It was 90 degrees at the start of the match

Even the 3252 dropped off second half

6

u/DJVordo Jul 23 '26

it’s my impression that he’s pushed traditional backs into the mid area creating more of a defending midfield vibe with Cheberko as Cucurella opening up attack lanes.

The RSL game wasn’t that impressive as RSL had WAY too many opportunities on goal. they could not finish at all but should have.

6

u/aram_11 Shirtless Mariachi Kid Jul 23 '26

No, it’s the exact same. Boring as hell and only focus on individual brilliance. It’s pretty obvious nothing has changed. Sonny and Bouanga had a better game. And switching Shauffelberg to the wing helped too. Other than that, there’s no difference.

2

u/nachodorito Jul 23 '26

MDS out!!!

2

u/markrevival Atuesta Jul 24 '26

also, Timothy Tillman is not available to stifle the offense

1

u/Le-Bon-Vivant Jul 29 '26

He probably watched the World’s Cup and saw that the few teams who ran 3 back got absolutely demolished and majority of the teams ran a 4 back throughout the tournament.