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ESPN staff 9y

Jermaine Jones says he's still adjusting as defender in U.S.'s 3-5-2

Jermaine Jones says he is not yet comfortable as a center-back in the 3-5-2 formation that the United States debuted against Chile last week.

Jones has played most of his career in midfiel, and although he has played in defense before, he said last Wednesday's defeat was the first time he played on a three-man backline.

After playing in three friendlies as a defender since the World Cup ended, the 33-year-old said he would prefer to play in a different position should Jurgen Klinsmann stick with his 3-5-2.

"I always say when I lose, I don't play good. I don't feel I was playing good," Jones said on Monday, according to MLSsoccer.com. "Of course, new formation, new system [and new position], it's not easy. I would say I prefer, of course, to play more midfield, but if I go back [to the backline], I prefer to play in a back four.

"Still, the coach has an idea with three in the back, but sometimes it's tough. To see that formation, see that whole system, for me it's not easy. ... Chile was not one of my best games."

Jones also said it's important for him to build a consistent relationship with the other members of the U.S. defense going forward.

"I play a lot of times with my German teams in the back four [as a fill-in]," he said. "Backline with four people, I feel like we're comfortable. It's better for me. But what I have to learn now is find that rhythm with the back four. It's not easy. I've played three times now in the back four [including the second half against Chile] and three times with a different center-back.

"You have to build a relationship with the back four, with the guys next to you. This is building over a couple games, so it's not easy, but I'm 100 percent sure that we'll come there."

Klinsmann has tried a variety of formations since the U.S. returned from Brazil and said he has yet to decide how the Yanks will line up against Panama on Sunday.

"This week, we'll see. I want to see different training sessions, different systems," the U.S. manager said. "Over the long term, I think [the 3-5-2 is] definitely a card that we should have in our back pocket. I don't have a preferred system -- I'm not a freak for the Dutch 4-3-3 or the German 4-2-3-1 or the 4-4-2 in a diamond. I try to adjust systems to the player materiel I have."

Klinsmann said he likes Jones on the backline because of his ability to go forward and surprise the other team.

"Overall, I think it's a very interesting system, because Jermaine is one [who] can come out of the center and become a midfielder or a forward. He can surprise an opponent," Klinsmann said. "An opponent doesn't know who takes on this guy -- 'What is he doing now suddenly?' -- so he can play in many different ways."

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