Match Report: Mullen vs. Mesa JV@4, V@7
(JV) Mesa Ridge High School: 6070 Mesa Ridge Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80911
(V) EL POMAR YOUTH SPORTS CENTER:
2212 EXECUTIVE CIRCLE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO)
***Transportation Note: There will be two white buses going to the games. The JV bus will leave at 1:30 from Mullen for a 3 o'clock arrival. That bus will return after the JV game. The Varsity bus will leave at 4 o'clock and go straight to El Pomar. It will return to Mullen after the varsity game.
If you would like to drive your child, we would prefer you check in with their assigned coach before doing so. This way everyone is accounted for. Please check out all athletes that you will be taking home from games.
Things to do:
Kits (This is an away game, we are white), socks, transportation, nutrition (Remember that this is a 7pm game, you need to eat dinner and have snacks, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)
*Disclaimer: There is next to no data on this team. What you see below is a compellation of insights based on poor film and background knowledge on this team, and their opponents.
Mesa Strengths:
Mesa Ridge is usually near the top of this southern league, and last spring they did manage to grab an automatic qualifying spot for the 16 team play off.
Their primary strengths appear to lie in their technical ability, as well as their 1v1 quality. They are good tacklers, and they have good foot work. They will also be on their own turf.
Additionally, they have proven that they have the ability to score goals; however, they have conceded a number of goals as well. Their primary contributor is number 10 who has 5 goals and 5 assists (good numbers) he is a junior. 16 is also influential. 4 goals and 2 assists. He is a sophomore.
They are young and fit, so they'll be hungry. However, their youth will most likely lend to them allowing us control of the tempo of the game.
Mesa weaknesses
Mesa has two primary weaknesses.
1. They play a very flat defensive line. This makes recovery almost impossible. All they can do is chase. Against Pueblo, they found themselves caught in a footrace most of the game, one that they lost over and over again. As long as we can play the line well and remain on sides, dropping strikers and sending third runs, I think they are going to have a terrible time with our attack.
However, with that said, they only conceded one goal to Erie (a very direct team) so they may have made some defensive adjustments or at least dropped their line deeper into the back field, both of which would have been used to combat direct football. With that said, we know that Erie prefers to go over the top in the middle, whereas Pueblo banged the corners, and creating width was a lot more successful. So when we attack, we need to go from the middle to the corners and back in.
2. The right side has been historically weak. Allow me a quick digression: when you watch the film against Pueblo, the camera has a hard time tracking the counter down the right flank; however, almost every time that Pueblo attacked from that side, the fans stood up and cheered for a goal that we never see. What does this tell us??? Possibly that the right side is a weak match up or that we can use our speed to exploit their defensive weaknesses. The only thing that is certain is that Mesa has a hard time tracking a ball back across the middle because their defense isn't build to follow runs. So attacking from either side should cause huge problems.
Lastly, as an aside, the keeper showed decently, but rebound a lot out in front of goal so our 6s need to remain positioned to pick up the garbage.
Mullen Strengths against TVHS
Lately our counter attack and outside back play has been incredibly strong. These are things that we will need to continue to implement to be successful against Mesa. They also have not proven particularly organized, which should allow us to be effective on set pieces. Please don't forget about our counter throw, shown here (we have yet to use this effectively - please be heads up when their opportunity presents):
Normal set pieces in effect (throws too), but see the diagram below for the movement on a counter throw form Jack:
When Jack picks up the ball at half, the 7 should make an inside run to goal, and the 10 should make a back post run (they should cross). Jack can look for either option. He can send the 7 in on goal (take it yourself or dish last minute) or look for the ten to penetrate and then bring the ball across the middle. This needs to be done quickly.
Furthermore, I would like to see us continue to try this overlap. It will added variety to our attack. We are switching the ball well, but we aren't exploiting this flank on the strong side as well as we can. Eli's observation was that the 2/3 needs to widen the run, chalk the boots, so their is more room for service. Simultaneously, the 7/11 needs to have this on their radar. Be anticipating the overlap. See diagram below:
In this example, when the six has the ball, the 7 makes an internal checking run that pulls the three out of position and inside. The two overlaps the 7, who turns and plays him the ball into the corner. If done effectively, the outside back should be able to penetrate unmarked. Further evolutions of this play also have the 7 play the ball back to the 6 who plays it through to the 2 on a third run, or the 7 plays the ball to the 10 who then plays the 2 through on a 3rd run.
Lastly, Mesa has not shown to be particularly dangerous against good organization. If we are organized and avoid mistakes in the back, we should have a lot of success in Loveland tomorrow.
Main Focus:
Capitalize in the final third
Counter quickly
Stay organized on defense
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 DHS full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.
3. Know the set pieces. 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 so that outside backs and wingers can serve. (See diagram above.)
Good luck!
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