Match Report: Mullen vs. Thomas Jefferson Sept. 1, 2021 (JV@4, V@5:30) Thomas Jefferson High School Stadium

 Match Report: Mullen vs. TJ (Sept. 1 @4,5:30) JV players arrive by 3, Varsity by 4:15

3950 S Holly St, Denver, CO 80237

Things to do: 

Kits (This is an away game, all white), socks, transportation, nutrition (Remember that this is a 5:30 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.)

TJ Strengths

TJ has scored a lot of goals. 

TJ's main strengths come in their opportunistic nature and the fact that they are decent finishers in front of goal. In both games their high press resulted in a lot of defensive mistakes that they turned into goal scoring opportunities. They have some speed up top, so they can finish on the break away, but they can also shoot out of the midfield, and they will. Against Alameda they scored in a variety of ways: set pieces, counters and long range shots. Alameda was not really prepared for how dynamic they were able to be. 

Additionally, TJ has some creative players who are technically talented. They dribble the ball well, and they tackle well. TJ also plays their formation (at least in the attack) the way they are supposed to. When in possession, they quickly move the ball wide, and they are quick to spring the ball over the top as well. They have one forward who is fast and will push the offside boundaries. He doesn't care. He will risk offsides numerous times for the one time he gets through.

Lastly, TJ has some creative set pieces and we need to be prepared. They play quick and catch teams off guard. 

TJ Weaknesses

TJ has played their last two games in a 3-5-2, and we know that this can be a vulnerable formation. The three in the back are susceptible to counter attacks, and naturally find themselves in a number of 1v1 scenarios. 

Additionally, this formation is very technical and relies heavily on everyone doing the right thing at the right time defensively. If their wingers do not track back on the weak side, then a quick switch of the ball can easily overload the defense and create numbers up situations. 

Lastly, though TJ has been impressive thus far, a +15 differential, I do not think that they have seen particularly strong competition. A fast game and a lot of pressure will be a lot for them to handle all at once. They have been on the front foot of both game they have played, so it will be interesting to see how they react when the balance shifts. Often teams can be caught off guard or found unprepared for a significant shift in competition. 

Mullen Strengths over Erie

Both our speed and organization are going to be elemental. Moving the ball quickly against the 3-5-2 in order to find a gap between their midfield and defense will allow us to address players 1v1 and create goal scoring opportunities. When we have the chance, we want to counter against this formation.

Against Erie we did well to switch the ball quickly through the midfield. This will be paramount against TJ. Moving the ball from the strong side to the weakside with pace will allow us to overload defenders and create space. 

Additionally, we will change the line up slightly to try and create an attacking overload on the left side of the field going in. Our 11 and our 3 need to look to switch the ball quickly so as to create 2v1s on the weak side. If our outside backs are heavily involved in play, this will either pin TJ back, or expose open space. Either way is advantageous. Please see first diagram below:

 

As you can see, the 2 and 7 both penetrate the attack, overloading the weakside. The 3 should look to play an early ball into the back post for the 2 to go to goal or drop back to the 7, and the 11 should look to attack the end line and play the ball across the middle, or play the cross in from outside the box. 

However, when we do this, we have to make sure we are covered defensively to prevent the counter. Please see the next diagram below: 

In this case, when the outside back attacks, one of the 6s needs to be prepared to cover. As you can see, if the center back goes to pressure on the counter then the 6 drops to the middle into cover. (Green arrows) and if the six goes to pressure, the CB remains in cover. (Black arrows.)

We have been really strong, smart and focused in the back. Zero goals against. That will be even more important today against and overloaded attack. Remember, both teams we have played so far have really sat in on us. I think TJ might come to play. 

 

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 TJ 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 so that outside backs and wingers can serve. (See diagram above.)

Good luck!