Early in the season, Patrick Vieira tinkered a lot with New York City FC’s formation and starting eleven. Every week it seemed like a new look, with a 3223 and several other looks given a shot. D.C. United didn’t have the benefit of catching NYCFC during that stretch, though, and since they’ve settled on a 433 and a fairly consistent lineup, the Pigeons have been one of the better teams in MLS.
Of course, another major factor on that front was Frank Lampard providing NYCFC with a secondary goal threat. That probably undersells Lampard’s scoring outburst: 12 goals in 15 games is one of the best runs of goalscoring form for a midfielder in MLS history.