Playoff Match Report: Mullen vs. Coronado (4pm @The Mullen Soccer Complex)

   Match Report: Mullen vs. Coronado @4pm - Mullen Soccer Complex

3601 S. Lowell Blvd. Denver, CO 80236

Things to do: 

Kits (This is a home game, we are dark), socks, nutrition (Remember that this is a 4:00pm game, you need to eat food and have snacks, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

Prologue: Coronado is in the tournament as an auto-qualifier. They do not want to be playing you in the first round. What this translates to is one thing: Their coach has been reminding them all week that they have nothing to lose. He is telling them that they can become a Cinderella story: The team that beats Mullen. That they should just go for it! They will come into the game with this energy. We need to dissolve it immediately. Right from the start they need to know that we are faster, stronger, and more organized. Cinderella isn't going to the ball tonight.

Coronado Strengths:

Coronado has two impact players:

1. The player who plays at the 10 has a nasty left foot and he can strike a ball well. His movement is good, but he doesn't really trust his team. He will shoot from anywhere. This has both positive and negative qualities to it. Often times he finds himself shooting way out of position; however, that can get tricky because his opponents aren't expecting a shot and it can catch them off guard. Furthermore, if he get a hold of one, he can turn a banger. We have to be prepared to close him down at any point on the field. 

Additionally, the same player hits a nice left footed inswinging corner to the near post. This one corner has accounted for like 20% of the goals they have scored this season. It is tricky and elusive. Our front post guy needs to be focused and clear it out with authority. Coronado has shown that they can gather the trash in front of the goal and they are always looking to poach this corner.

2. One of their central backs steps well to the ball and isn't easily beaten. He plays well off his counter part, and they are inclined, for the most part, to form a diamond in the back in which one drops deep and the other steps to stop. When done right, they have been effective; however, the formation leaves a number of gaps through the middle headed toward the wings. It also provides no opportunity for recovery so the outside backs are forced into 1v1 situations constantly. We want to exploit this, move the ball wide, and take players on 1v1.

3. Lastly, Coronado wants to do the right thing. Their outside backs get involved in the attack, and they try to use the width well. We need to be organized to combat their attack.

Coronado weaknesses

As noted, our speed and strength is going to be a problem for Coronado. They don't have the size and athleticism that we have on our squad. 

However, where Coronado struggles the most is in their organization. They are not a cohesive as they need to be, and it creates big gaps between the midfield and their defense. This is primarily a product of the fact that they have a handful of players that seem to have their own agenda. They want to go it alone, or win on their own. Inevitably, this results in people out of position whenever the ball is turned over. We need to exploit these gaps. See the diagrams below.

In this image, the outside right back is carrying the ball forward, but the rest of the defense is not moving into position with him. This results in each defensive player being isolated almost 30 yards from their teammates. Additionally, the CB's are flat, and not in cover balance, so as you will see, the outside back will be forced to drop deep, thus allowing the winger and insane amount of space on the flank.  

When the ball is then turned over in the middle of the pitch, Canon City has 3 or 4 players that can move into the gap behind the midfield and in front of the defense. This gives them plenty of space to turn and attack the defense, and renders the defense unable to press or win any ball that might come through the middle. 

Instead of tracking the winger, the right outside back over corrects and drops deep in line with his weak side center back, this will then give the winger the ability to receive the ball in space, dribble into a 1v1 situation with momentum and eventually beat the outside back who is in no mans land.

*Take additional not of the staggered nature of the back line. The ROB should be elevated, and the RCB should be in cover. But because there was so much space between them initially, they are unable to make that correction and defend at the same time, so it is impossible to recover any organization.

The winger then brings the ball across the middle to the top of the 18 and instead of tracking runs, the two 6's fall into marking space, which allows the ten to step up and hit an unchallenged rocket into the right side netting. You'll also notice the the 6's have recovered flat which opens up the middle and leaves no one to step to the shot. Flat 6's are easily beaten by a through ball every time. 

This lack of cohesion is Coronado's greatest weakness. We need to live in the gaps and pass the ball to feet as we transition through them. This will then open up a series of third runs on the flanks and through the middle creating 1v1's on the outside and in front of goal. If we move the ball quickly, and directly, while still playing to feet, Coronado will end up chasing us all over the field. 

*One thing to note: Coronado seems to play deeper than Mesa Ridge, so I do not think we will be working against an offsides trap. We will need to be more fluid with our play instead of looking for one long ball to be the whole defense.

Mullen Strengths against Coronado

The most important things we can do today: 

• Hit our marking assignments with high pressure, especially on the wings. 
• Be dynamic and clinical on set pieces
• Not make any mistakes at the back - we can not be afraid to push a counter against Coronado, play forward and direct, but on the ground to feet or into runs. We do not need to make this a long ball game, that will play into their strengths.
• Trust the game, see what it is giving to us, follow its lead, and take your chances. 
• Recognize the value of every minute. NO PLAYS OFF!

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 CHS 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!

Match Report: Mullen vs. Overland (V@4pm - Mullen Soccer Complex) - Senior Night

  Match Report: Mullen vs. Overland @4pm - Mullen Soccer Complex

3601 S. Lowell Blvd. Denver, CO 80236

Things to do: 

Kits (This is a home game, we are dark), socks, nutrition (Remember that this is a 4:00pm game, you need to eat food and have snacks, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

Blazer Strengths:

Prologue: This is Overland's final game of the regular season. They are plagued by some grade issues and traveling players. For them, it is their first elimination game. If they win, they most likely secure a play off spot, if they lose, it's the end. Given the state of things, they will play like a cornered opponent. Ready to fight, desperate to win. Every chance they get will build their confidence. Every goal you score will shatter it. The first ten minutes will determine what this game looks like. If we go out strong, if we find the back of the net early, they will turn on one another and fall apart. This is the most important game of the regular season for us. Every minute has infinite value.

1. Overland is strong, fast, and incredibly technical. Their passing game is decent, but they can bring a ball out of the air and settle the play really well. Their first touch is dynamic and often impressive. Given time, this is a very good Overland team.

-Additionally, they will move the ball with one touch when they can. Their execution is okay, but the idea is there, and if they find a hole, they can exploit it. 

2. They are super hungry tonight. They have nothing to lose, and they know they can play good soccer. For them, the psychological piece will be important. If they find a way in, they are going to play even harder. Momentum will be their best friend tonight. However, if they get down, they will crumble.

3. Their 1v1 defending is good, and they tackle well. Their organization in the back is okay - probably better than Creek or Eaglecrest, and the defense can perform 1v1. We will need to use our momentum and speed to get around their defenders. They will have the advantage on a slow attack. They win a lot of 1v1 attacks. Go hard and be creative.

Blazer weaknesses

1. Overland has a really good coach who is a Burnley guy, and wants to defend. I think Overland will try to block tonight, but I don't think that they have the same discipline as last year. Additionally, a tie won't do it for them. Tonight is win or bust for Overland, so they are going to be antsy to come out. We have to be patient, break them down, and exploit the counter.

2. Overland's biggest struggle on defense is their positioning. They actually have decent structure and the outside backs will get involved in the attack (7/11 you need to track back), but the individual defenders play too far apart. They isolate themselves into 1v1's with no cover. Look at the two images below. The first is what a defense should look like, the second is Overland:

You'll notice that the Porto defenders are close together in pressure and cover. Their defensive line also has depth to cover the through ball. They are also built to shift quickly if the ball switches through the middle.

Overland (in dark here) on the other hand is spread out to their own demise. The distance between the defenders is incredibly detrimental, and it allows the Creek players to exploit the gaps as can be seen in the fact that the one remaining central defender has two incoming players, and the weakside outside back has to take a mark too.

We need to exploit these gaps. If we can run give and gos through the gaps we will be 1v1 with the keeper all night. Our 9 and 10 need to live in the spaces between defenders and we need to play courageous balls to feet.

4. Psychologically they are very fragile. Early goals are going to put this team in a bad state.

5. This game has the potential to get chippy. Remember our new tactical implementation - no one talks to the ref but Andrew D. Eagle will work against themselves, we do not need to bring a balance back by being obnoxious.

6. They are not as strong in the air as other teams. I think this is a night we can make the most of our throws and set pieces. 

7. Lastly, their goalie is hesitant off his line, has been weak from distance, and there is a lack of trust between the keeper and his back line. This results in miscommunications and mistakes. Pressure will exploit this even more. 

Mullen Strengths against Eagle

The most important things we can do today: 

• Hit our marking assignments with high pressure, especially on the wings. 
• Be dynamic and clinical on set pieces
• Not make any mistakes at the back - we can not be afraid to push a counter against OHS, our direct football and patient football last night was really impressive.
• Trust the game, see what it is giving to us, follow its lead, and take your chances. 
• Recognize the value of every minute. NO PLAYS OFF!

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 OHS 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!

Match Report: Mullen vs. Arapahoe (JV@AHS -4:30, V@LPS - 7pm)

   Match Report: Mullen vs. Arapahoe (JV@AHS -4:30, V@LPS - 7pm)

AHS: 2201 E Dry Creek Rd, Centennial, CO 80122

LPS: 199 E Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80121

Things to do: 

Kits (This is an away game, we are white), socks, nutrition (Remember that this is a 7pm game, you need to eat food and have snacks, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

Arapahoe Strengths:

1. AHS has been a defensive powerhouse this season. They have not lost any games, and they have only given up 7 total goals. Historically, they have been well organized defensively, nothing has changed. Additionally, they continue you to be incredibly conservative, leaving 3 of the four players on their back line "back" almost without exception. In other words, the weakside outside back has a tendency to stay home and they attack from one side at a time. This is why they can keep the ball out of the back of the net, but it is also why they have struggled to score a lot of goals this season. We can expect a conservative back line again this evening.

2. Their center backs are strong and their center forwards are aggressive. AHS like to play the ball directly up the middle of the field, usually long from a center back or their keeper. This is why they struggled against Eagle, but were effective against creek. They play somewhat territorial, but they want to grind up top and find tap ins. In the same way, they attempt to direct the opposing attack down the middle of the field. They pressure the flanks and drive the ball into toward their strengths. We have to attempt to keep the ball wide.

*It is my opinion that the primary reason that Arapahoe has had the success that they have is that they have yet to come up against a team with effective outside backs. This could be a strength of ours that plays against their weakness.

3. If allowed, the wings can get inside and finish. Number seven plays out on the right flank, and he is a talented lefty. He wants to come in on his left foot and shoot, but he will take the ball down the line and cross it with his right. The player on the left flank is also a good shooter, and given the opportunity, he will find his way in to shoot as well. The good news about these players is that historically, and from what we can see on the film, they are also quite conservative in their movement on the field. They play in straight line, and they are good at it, but it still dampens the effectiveness of their attack.

4. Hit or miss... AHS has had a couple of games where they have been very effective on set plays. They have a couple BIG players who can get inside, and on occasion, their service is good. Expect a lot of balls into the box from the D and the midfield. This allows they to send the ball forward while not sacrificing their defensive shape. They want to defend more than they want to score. They are happy waiting for a little luck, a mistake, or a small opportunity on goal. 

AHS weaknesses

1. AHS is not particularly dynamic. That doesn't mean they aren't good, and it doesn't mean they can't win games (clearly), but it does mean that they are predictable. 

*A quick story - last year when AHS played Grandview, they started the game in a 3-5-2. It was effective, but their wings were occasionally pinned back as will happen in a 3-5-2. They played the formation for about 12 minutes. They then went back to their 4-3-3, shortly after, they conceded a goal, and then they lost 3-0 or something like that.

I tell you this to make a point. AHS is afraid of change - and sometimes that doesn't matter (12 wins is a lot) but it is also prevents them from being really great. What we care about though is the fact that their predictability makes them vulnerable. If we are strong in the middle of the park, if we close down shots, and if we don't make mistakes in the back, AHS won't score. They won't find another way, and they won't change to seek it out. If we do the right thing tonight, we can lock them down.

2. Their outside backs are their weakness. Conservative play allows for the building of momentum, and it forces players into one on one situations. Much like our strategy against Eagle, we want to isolate the outside backs and take them on. We want to attack in the middle of the field only when we are directly in front of goal. Take on the outside backs, bang the base line, and bring the ball across the middle.

3. Their recovery systems are poor. When their left outside back attacks, the six does not drop to cover. If we can create a turn over and counter in behind the outside back, we can create opportunities on goal. Additionally, their wingers/strikers do not really defend. (That might prove different against us than it did against some of their other opponents - CT definitely had to track back) But outside backs need to get involved in the attack. It will either create 2 on 1 scenarios or force their strikers to make insane runs out of the back field, either of which is advantageous. 

4. Their goalie sometimes has bad hands. You need to crash the goal after every shot, cross, opportunity. If we can get shots on goal, he will make a mistake.

Mullen Strengths against Arapahoe

The main thing is that we need to play our game. Every minute counts. Every set piece counts. Make the extra pass. Everybody defends tonight.

This is a good match up for us. A strong press makes life very difficult for static attackers. If we keep our shape and organization, if we do our jobs well, and if we don't make mistakes in the back, we will get a good result. 

Main Focus:

Clean sheet - that is the only thing that matters tonight. 

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 AHS 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!

Match Report: Mullen vs. Eaglecrest (V/JV @4:30 - Mullen Soccer Complex)

 Match Report: Mullen vs. Eagle, JV/V@4:30 - Mullen Soccer Complex

3601 S. Lowell Blvd. Denver, CO 80236

Things to do: 

Kits (This is a home game, we are dark), socks, nutrition (Remember that this is a 4:30pm game, you need to eat food and have snacks, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

Eagle Strengths:

Prologue: This is Eaglecrest's final game of the season - a number of their players are traveling for fall break next week. This means one of two things, either that they will put it all on the line to get a result tonight, or they will toss it up in the air and write off their season as some bad luck. 

The way we play will determine which of these attitudes they have in the game. If we go out soft and fail to execute our chances, they will see this as an opportunity to slay the giant and end the season on a high note. The longer you leave them in the game, the more their confidence will grow. 

However, if you execute early, finish your chances, tonight will simply feel like a repeat of their bad luck and they will turn in on themselves.

The outcome of tonight's game is entirely in your control.

1. Eagle pushes the game in a very direct matter. As far as the idea of the game is concerned, this is a decent team. They want to do the right thing. They make good passes, they take good space, and they have penetrating through balls. This is a team that does a lot of the right things, they just lack the talent to capitalize on it. If their confidence grows and their luck changes, they can find their way in.

2. The Eagle goalie is really talented. He has fast reactions, and pretty good hands. The goals that have scored on him have been good goals that he didn't really have a chance on at all. Over the course of the season he has not made a lot of mistakes. He is not going to hand us the game tonight. We are going to have to be clinical in our finishing. If the weather is bad, that will help, but that goes both ways. If it skips for him, it skips for us, so shoot often, and make sure that they don't. 

3. Their 1v1 defending is good, and they tackle well. Their organization is lacking, but the Eagle defense can perform 1v1. We will need to use our momentum and speed to get around their defenders. They will have the advantage on a slow attack. They win a lot of 50/50 and 1v1 attacks. Go hard and be creative.

Eagle weaknesses

1. They have not shown well in attack this season. We can not be lax in the back or make mistakes that give them chances. The only way they will score is if we give them the opportunity. We need another clean sheet tonight. No goals against.

2. Their outside backs are weak, but their recovery and center halfs are decent. We have a better look matching up against their outside backs, so our wingers need to come back to receive the ball. Through balls to the corners will play more to Eagle's strengths, but good movement of the ball and continuing the switch will allow us more favorable match ups. 

3. They don't track the ball across the middle well. We need to find match ups on the wings, bang the end line and bring the ball back across the middle. This means that our 9 and 10 need to be in position and our opposite winger needs to get inside their defender. Don't wait, attack the ball.

4. Psychologically they are very fragile. Early goals are going to put this team in a bad state.

5. They foul a lot. Remember our new tactical implementation - no one talks to the ref but Andrew D. Eagle will work against themselves, we do not need to bring a balance back by being obnoxious.

6. They struggle to track runs on set pieces. You have to finish.

Mullen Strengths against Eagle

The most important things we can do today: 

• Hit our marking assignments with high pressure, especially on the wings. 
• Be dynamic and clinical on set pieces
• Not make any mistakes at the back - we can not be afraid to push a counter against Creek, our direct football against Grandview was very impressive. 
• Trust the game, see what it is giving to us, follow its lead, and take your chances. 
• Recognize the value of every minute. NO PLAYS OFF!

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 EHS 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!

Match Report: Mullen vs. Cherokee Trail (Tuesday, 10/12 @4:30/6 -Cherokee Trail Turf/Legacy Stadium)

    Match Report: Mullen vs. CT (JV@4:30 at CTHS, V@6 - Legacy Stadium)

Things to do: 

Kits (This is an away game, we are white), socks, nutrition (Remember that this is a 6pm game, you need to eat food and have snacks, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

Preface:

1. This is a very different trail team from last spring. They have acquired some talented players, and they are stronger defensively. 

2. They remain incredibly opportunistic. Most of Trail's goals have come off of defensive mistakes.

CT Strengths:

1. Their counter is incredibly strong. CT has some unbelievably talented players going forward. Number 9 and number 7 are both talented and dynamic attackers that can finish when given the opportunity. They are audacious and confident, and they can fight through tackles. They also have some speed and are willing to go to ground easily. Trail draws a number of fouls around the box when they are able to create forward momentum. We need to be incredibly organized and press hard on our marking assignments.

2. Trail can shoot! When CT gets in front of goal, they have proven to be pretty effective this season. And they do not create a ton of opportunities for themselves either. CT's goals primarily come from capitalizing on the mistakes made by other teams; however, they have an insane opportunity to execution ratio. They finish like 80 percent of their chances. In order to combat this, we need to both shut down players going forward, take away space in the middle of the field, and not make mistakes in the back field.

3. They play with a sweeper. He is very good. This creates a really interesting dynamic on the field. Between the keeper and the sweeper, they collect most of the long balls hit down field. This severely reduces the probability of already low probability chances. High and over the middle just doesn't seem to work. If we go up the middle, we need through balls on the ground. Anything in the air needs to go to the corners. 

4. Although this seems redundant, CT's primary strength lies in their ability to capitalize on mistakes: poor clearances, bad tackles, unfocused goalies, fouls in the final third - a majority of their goals have been scored in this fashion. You need to be precise. 

CT weaknesses

1. CT seems to rely a lot on individual talent, and individual moments of brilliance. It is hard to tell whether they have some sort of organization, formation, or game plan. They have good players who can do good things, but they seem to rely heavily on that. A well organized defense and attack should create a world of problems for them. If we can shut down their talented individuals, they will have a difficult time creating opportunities.

2. Their keeper is erratic. He comes incredibly far off of his line during the course of play, but when the ball is in the box, he seems hesitant to commit. He relies heavily on his sweeper and their block to prevent shots on goal. He is also prone to spill shots in from of goal, so crash the net and pick up trash. 

3. CT was insanely susceptible to Eaglecrest's quick passing. They spent a lot of time chasing them around the field. The biggest problem was that Eagle could not create a finished product. They squandered a number of chances, and then they got a red card. This is a product of being disorganized. Since they don't hold positions well, they can be beat by the pass quite easily. We just can't get into a long ball game with them, they will sweep everything up.

4. They play pretty territorial football defensively, and they block the middle and leave the wings. Under pressure, CT puts a lot out of bounds and chooses to just defend. This is good for us because of the long throw and our set pieces. We have to pressure, and then be patient in the execution of our set pieces. Along these same lines, their outside backs will give us the wing, so we need to push the ball to the end line and bring it back across the middle. If we get caught trying to cut in all the time, we are going to struggle to find the goal. Take the outside to come back in. (This is one of the reasons AHS failed to be effective. They played the long ball, had crummy service on set plays, and wanted to cut back inside against the block. Take it to the end line.)

5. The CT wings do not want to track back...

This leaves them with two scenarios, to let our outside backs go (in which case, the six just needs to be aware) or to track back and get stuck in their final third. We like both. Outside backs must stay involved.

Mullen Strengths against CT

1. Our passing game is fast and precise. Like last nights session, one and two touch play is going to create innumerable problems for this team. Play the direction you are facing, pull them out of shape, and then look to strike. Move the ball wide to attacking outside backs and the wings and let them execute the big switching ball.  

2. We need to take advantage of our set pieces. We can't lose a half of this game to under hit corners. Remember that we are at Legacy, push the throw and push the ball. 

3. Our press should cause CT a lot of problems, but we have to shift quickly and touch tight on the wingers and the outside backs. If we allow them to dribble, gain momentum and make penetrating passes, we are going to struggle. But if we put a body on their wingers, they are really going to struggle both physically against us, and mentally. 

WE NEED TO EXECUTE ON SET PIECES TONIGHT - NO EXCEPTIONS

Main Focus:

No Mistakes

Finish opportunities

Clean sheet

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 CT 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!

Match Report: Mullen vs. Smokey (10/4 - JV/V@4:30 Smokey Hill High School)

    Match Report: Mullen vs. Smoky (JV@4:30 at Smoky Hill High School, V@4:30@ Smoky Hill High School)

SHHS: 16100 E Smoky Hill Rd, Aurora, CO 80015

Things to do: 

Kits (This is an away game, we are white), socks, nutrition (Remember that this is a 4:30pm game, you need to eat food and have snacks, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

Preface:

Smoky is strong on the counter and weak on set piece defending. WE WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER HIGH SCORING GRUDGE MATCH LIKE THE SPRING. The only team scoring goals tonight will be us.

Smoky Strengths:

1. Smoky can score. They have only been shut out a couple of times, and the one win they have was a high scoring game. Most opponents have not been able to keep them out of the back of the net, and it has landed them a hand full of goals and a couple of ties as well. Focus against this team is going to be key, they make opponents pay on the counter.

2. Smoky has a handful of very technical/strong players. When you watch the goals that they have scored, a number of them have been very impressive, very technical, independent efforts. 1v1 match ups must be addressed clinically. This team needs to be taken very seriously.

3. Smoky has nothing to lose. They have had a really rough season, and now all they are doing is hunting wins. They will go hard at us and try to get an upset today. This is the kind of game that needs to be played just as hard as any other. They are going to try to get in our heads, talk trash and disrupt our rhythm. We have to keep our cool today! 

4. Their goalie has shown well at times. He has decent hands.

SHHS weaknesses

1. Smoky is incredibly disorganized in the back and all around the field. Their greatest struggle this season has been the fact that players get pulled out of position and there is next to no support. Their communication is poor, and almost everything becomes and independent effort to defend or attack. A well organized press, and dynamic runs will create nightmares for this Smoky team.

2. They have proven to be pretty weak on set pieces. Historically they have run a zone on corners (they build the house) and that makes it so hard to track runs into the box. The area between the near post and the pk spot has been particularly vulnerable. This makes 1.5 an ideal set piece if they line up the same way. However, the key to their opponents success has been clinical execution. Both THS and Highlands Ranch scored some very nice set pieces because their players executed. We have to get behind the ball and put it in the back of the net. 

3. They have the bad taste of losing, and if we get up early, they will crumble. They will turn on one another, the ref, and their coach. We need to be clinical in our execution today and put this game to bed early. The harder we come out, the quicker we squash their hopes of an upset. 

Mullen Strengths against Grandview

1. Our counter press needs to be fast. If we can put a lot of pressure on their outside backs and wingers, they are going to have a lot of trouble breaking us down. Like against Creek, the key to success will be both the speed of our shift and the quickness of our counter. We can not give Smoky time to dribble or turn. Their technical players will make the most of any momentum they can generate. 

2. We need to drop the six against the counter and make sure that the 9 or 10 track back with their six. Smoky loves to send numbers forward so we cannot miss our marking assignments. If the 6,5, or 4 comes out of the back, our CAM and Strikers need to track them as deep as they go. We can use this to win the ball and create counter opportunities.

3. Our set pieces look awesome right now, which helps a lot. One of our strengths is one of their biggest weaknesses. This is a good match up for us in that way. Plus, Smoky's turf is narrow so we need to use the long throw to our advantage. Be patient, get the lead and play the game smart. 

WE NEED TO EXECUTE ON SET PIECES TONIGHT - NO EXCEPTIONS

Main Focus:

Clean sheet

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 SHHS 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!