Mullen vs. Denver South (Women's Soccer)

 Mullen vs. Denver South (Women's soccer)

Location: Mullen Soccer Complex (Both teams @430)

Both teams will wear navy all the way down. Please make sure to be eating all day, and snack after school. There will be snacks in C5 during the varsity team meeting @3:05 - All players are welcome.

Preface:

On Tuesday night, we played a nice game. Our tactics and organization were well executed, and our passing, tackling, and development of the game were incredibly strong. At the end of the day, we were just missing the final puzzle piece, putting the ball in the back of the net. Tonight, we have to find a way to execute, while not losing the foundation that we have built. We need to stay organized, prioritize the shut out, and find our way into the back of the net.

*Additionally, what follows in the match report is built out of a lot of separate pieces of research. We do not know a ton about Denver South. For that reason, we will have to rely on our press and good organization. But we will also have to be flexible and willing to adapt within game. As you are playing, watch the game, evolve within it.

South Strengths:

South had a good spring last year, and has started off well this spring too. In the last two games, they have scored 16 goals. Now, these have come against relatively weak opponents; however, 16 goals in two games is not to be taken lightly. They have a senior forward that has scored at least 6 of those 16 and she is dangerous. She is fast, and she presses hard. Additionally, they graduated very few players last year, so they are working with the same team just a year developed. They also added a couple of talented freshman to their roster. They have the makings of a strong team.

From what we can see, they can execute in front of goal, (like Lutheran) they are very opportunistic, and they create a lot of their goals by executing a strong press and creating turn overs in the back field. We will have to be smart and quick out of the back, and conservative under pressure. 

***A hard press, if not organized well, can also be risky. With good passing, we can work out of the press and counter. We need to be cool under pressure and move the ball quickly and clinically in the back field. Good passes across the lines will be the key to our success.

South weaknesses:

Most likely, South's biggest issue will be that they have not played a legitimate opponent yet. The hope is that our counter press and organization will be a lot for them to handle all of a sudden. We need to get a quick jump on this game and find our way into the back of the net early. If we can get up and keep pressing, we will have a big advantage over the course of the game. Additionally, their defense has not really been tested, and from one of the scouting reports I received, their organization was already a bit shaky. Creative movement up top and runs inside of defenders will create a number of issues for South's defense. 

Lastly, South did play yesterday afternoon, and although it was a softer game, if we can come out with a lot of intensity and create a high octane environment over 80 minutes, they are going to struggle. Good organization and commitment to shape will leave them with frustrated players who can't find opportunities, and that is what we want. Keep our shape and replace for one another as we step to pressure and cover. No shots on goal!

Mullen key's to success:

1. Involvement of the outside backs, protection of the ball, fill the space to attack.

In this clip, our movement and our passing is exceptional. As you can see, our strong press results in a turn over, and the involvement of the outside back and the 9 overloads the defense. Stella uses a well executed pull back to change the direction of the attack, and when Kee turns her defender, she positions her body perfectly to protect the ball. The cross is well executed, and our 10 does a marvelous job of filling the space left by our dropped 9. This play is awesome, we just need to shoot for the corners!

2. Good organization and movement in the back.

We spoke to this yesterday; however, just remember that the strong side center back needs to be elevated while the weakside center back drops into the space behind so that our defense creates a "U" or "check mark" shape to absorb pressure. In this clip, the girl is able to get in behind because our CB's are flipped. We luckily recover at the last moment and our goalie's positioning is excellent, which allows us to push the attacker wide, but we can prevent this from occurring with better organization.

3. Keep our shape. Outside backs must press tight to attackers. No delay, hard press.

On the goal we gave up, our shape starts off well, and as the balls swings, we press according to our organization. However, when the ball is passed to the dropped attacker, our ten shifts to a double team, which leaves their CM to quickly switch the play to the opposite corner of the 18. Our outside back is slow to press the other dropped attacker, and our CB is then slow to shift into cover. This allows their attacker to turn and get a shot in the gap. If we hold our shape and our outside backs press on dropped attackers, we can prevent a goal like this in the future. 

4. Track our marking assignments and press. Wingers, press the outside backs hard, and outside backs, press their wingers.

5. Outside backs, get involved in the attack.

6. Conservative play in the back, strong clearances, close down shots.

No shots on goal = shutout

Good luck!