Match Report: Mullen vs. Erie (August 25, 2021 @4:30pm)

 Match Report: Mullen vs. Erie (August 25, 2021 @4:30pm)

3601 S. Lowell Blvd. Denver, CO 80236

Things to do: 

Kits (This is a home game, we will wear all navy and gold), socks, transportation, nutrition (Remember that this is a 4:30 game, you need to eat all day during school, snacks will be provided before the game, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

Erie Strengths

Erie plays good survival/territorial football. One of the things that helps them defensively is that they keep the ball out of their defending third. Almost every ball is a one time clearance. This can be effective, and very frustrating to play against. Additionally, it feeds into their counter attack style of soccer. They have two relatively strong and fast forwards that are not afraid to just grind. All they do is hunt down long balls over the top. 

Erie also clusters on defense, creating a great deal of pressure on individual players. They are quick to respond and close down. They are also athletic and not afraid to go to ground. When teams fail to move the ball quickly, Erie creates a lot of turn overs. Additionally, the pressure cause poor passes and mistakes. Erie tries to capitalize on these moments. 

Furthermore, Erie plays on a narrow field at home and they are comfortable with the ball out of bounds. They don't play a style of soccer that tries for a lot of possession or time on the ball. For them, less is more is the mentality. 

They also use the erratic and chaotic nature of the game to their advantage on set pieces. They have a long throw that they try to send behind the defense, and they take all of their set pieces quickly, especially their corners.

Lastly, they are confident to go 1v1 near the box, and they have some big players who will mix it up.

Erie Weaknesses

In a lot of ways, Erie's strengths become their weaknesses. They are not a technical team, and if we do not give in to their erratic style of play, we should be able to move the ball around them with ease. Furthermore, if we keep our position and shape, Erie should play the ball right to us 90 percent of the time. 

While their cluster defense creates a lot of pressure, it also leaves a number of players open on the switch. If we move the ball quickly out of pressure, Erie will end up chasing us all over the field.

Erie's midfield does not recover well, and this leaves the outside backs really exposed. Against Evergreen, the LFB faced a number of 2 on 1's, one of which led to Evergreen's goal. 

Additionally, Erie appears to be pretty one dimensional. Long ball is their game, and they are happy to keep chasing it. If we can win the ball and attack quickly, we should be able to catch them out of position and overload their defenders. 

Erie defends well against teams who try to take them on individually. They struggle against teams that play together.

Mullen Strengths over Erie

We are an incredibly technical team and we should be able to move the ball around Erie quite well. Additionally, if our outside backs get involved in the attack, Erie should constantly be outnumbered on the flanks. 

Furthermore, we have to continue to play to one of our biggest strengths: our shape and organization. We can not get sucked into the storm that is Erie soccer, chasing the ball all over the place. We need to be patient and keep our shape. If we do, Erie's attack will have a difficult time getting behind our defenders. Remember, we do not trap!

Keys to success: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the Erie full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack.

Good luck!

Match Report: Mullen vs. Battle Mountain (August 21, 2021)

 Mullen vs. Battle Mountain (8/21/2021) @11am - Battle Mountain High School - 

0151 Miller Ranch Rd, Edwards, CO 81632

**This is a two hour drive along I-70, players need to arrive no later than 9:45am

Battle will play Durango at 6pm Friday evening. It will be a quick turn around to play us at 11.

Things to do: 

Kits (This is an away game, we will wear all white), socks, transportation, nutrition (Remember that this is an 11 o'clock game, which is a weird time just before lunch. Eat breakfast and also take care of your nutrition before the game, don't eat nothing.)

Battle Mountain Strengths

Over the last decade, Battle has been a formidable presence in the 4A division. They have won a state title, been to a handful of quarter finals, semis and one other final I believe. Their players are experienced and carry a winning mentality. 

On the field, Battle has a nice blend of technical and athletic ability. Their primary tactical attack comes out of the back. They are comfortable moving the ball around between defenders and after a couple short passes, they look to push the ball and play long. Once they have entered the attacking third, they press hard and shoot often. Their movement is decent, but they are definitely a team that plays by the mantra "More shots inevitably results in more goals." Additionally, they are comfortable at home. They have dangerous set pieces (good shooting and good corners- that they often put on frame) plus, they train and play at altitude which allows them to govern the pace of the game against most of their opponents. 

Defensively, they run a decent man marking system, and they are usually pretty quick. Furthermore, they always have an athletic goal keeper prone to some dynamic saves. 

Battle Mountain Weaknesses

Battle has an assortment of weaknesses that we will be looking to exploit. Hopefully the fact that they will have played the evening before will work in our favor. However, we can not count on them being tired. They have a decent reserve squad. 

In many ways, they are one dimensional. They play in a league that they dominate, and thus they are not forced to be particularly creative. If we follow our recovery system and do not leave everything to a footrace, we will limit their attacking options. Furthermore, if we close down shots, we will create a number of counter attack opportunities. 

Battle is prone to leaving just two in the back, and their center backs do not naturally cover the outsides, the fullbacks chase players down the field. If we overlap our runs in the back, we can exploit the space behind their full backs and bring numbers into the box and/or create set piece opportunities.

Battle is known for having athletic keepers that culturally prioritize deflecting the ball over catching it. For this reason, off ball players need to crash the net and position themselves to be dangerous in front of goal. If we unload some dangerous shots, we should be able to pick up a couple tap ins. 

Finally, Battle graduated their big play maker (16 goals, 14 assists, which is impressive no matter where you play) They will be looking for an identity as a team, so this is the perfect time to strike. We just need to play our game and get an early season win!

Mullen Strengths over Battle

We have excellent fitness and speed and fire power up front. We are also a technical team that can move the ball quickly and accurately. By exploiting the space, we can find gaps in the Battle formation, and create opportunities on the counter. When the chance arises, we have to move quickly down field. Slowing the game down will be advantageous to them. Play smart, and don't make mistakes at the back, Battle's attackers are opportunistic and technical. 

Additionally, we have a disciplined and structured defense. Battle had to rely heavily on set pieces and lucky breaks to get through their more structured opponents in the spring. If we keep our shape, pressure and mark, we can shut them down. 

Keys to success: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

3. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

Good luck!