Match Report: Mullen vs. Coronado

 Mullen vs. Coronado

JV@4

V@6

Location: Garry Berry Stadium (South Turf field along Constitution)

Varsity: This is a 6pm game - we will have some food after school, but you need to make sure to eat lots of calories prior to this game. We are away, so we are white, gold, white.

Preface:

Coronado has had a very rough start to the season, and they are coming off a bad loss on Tuesday night to LP down in the springs. They have a history of giving up goals early in the game, so if we can capitalize on this trend (with a set piece or fast break) they will feel the sting of repeated history, and it will really put them on their heels.

Coronado strengths:

On the whole, Coronado has demonstrated an ability to be adaptable. They surprised us last year in the first round of the playoffs with a low block that was historically much different than the futbol they had been playing throughout the season. We find ourselves in a similar situation. In watching their film, they have allowed the game to open up, and they have tried to run with a lot of their opponents. I do not know if that is a tactic they will implement against us or not; however, I know that their coach has a great deal of respect for you, so I imagine we will see a more disciplined and patient side. They may very well block, and they have the ability to do so, as well as a strong keeper to back them up.

They also have a couple of players of interest.

The kid with the long hair who plays the deep six is quick, and he is aggressive. He has some height, and he will go to ground often. Additionally, he is dangerous on set pieces - taking them, and going in - and he moves the ball up the field well when given the time.

Number 10 has played out on the left flank this season, and he is very technical with the ball at his feet. He has some moves, and likes to take players on 1v1. From what I have seen, he can play a little.

The kid who plays the number nine is pretty fierce (Chad did a really nice job of emulating him in the scrimmage, so CB's expect to see something similar to that) he is quick and hungry for goal. What he lacks in technical, he makes up for with some grit.

Finally, I think their goalie is probably their greatest asset. He played super well against us last season, and he has been okay so far this season. He can get behind the ball, and he is pretty athletic. However, the biggest weakness he has shown is in his consistency. If we stay active, and on him, he is bound to make a mistake of two. Find a way in and let's fire.

Coronado weaknesses:

I think that Coronado's greatest weakness right now is their identity. They lost a nail biter last week on an own goal late, and they have not fared well in the springs this season. Mentally they are going to struggle if we are sharp and on form. We are simply going to feel like another team they can't hang with.

Tactically, we might be looking at two different scenarios: if they block, they are going to struggle to get out of the back and create goal scoring opportunities. They are going to have to prove that they are willing to suffer for 80, and I do not think they have that resolve. 

If they open up the game, their shaped is naturally stretched, leaving huge gaps between their attack and defense, and particularly their defense and the rest of their team. If the game opens up, we need to look to exploit that gap, playing the ball to feet inside of it. Once we draw defenders, we need well anticipated runs through on goal. 

Against a block we need to be patient, play crosses into the block, penetrate it, and shoot from outside of it.

In open play, we need to counter quickly, and exploit the space in transition.

Mullen key to success:

Today I really want us to focus on our anticipated movement.

As you can see in this snap shot, Jaycee carries the ball inside drawing in the outside back. Alex S anticipates the through ball, attacking the near post. Then, equally as important, Alex Evans makes a run to the near post to attack the ball across the middle. 

All of these runs are made in anticipation of the pass, not in reaction to it. 

Today's focus: see the game for what is going to happen. Look for opportunities to get in on goal, make the anticipated run.

Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

2- Short corner overlap. Attackers cover near, middle, far - slight delay on the run in.

3- short corner choice. The players taking the corner will choose to overlap or take on the player. Attackers cover all positions, and delay runs in.

Jolly - Bend it in the goal. Attackers cover all locations, especially back post. Anything that goes long should be headed back toward goal.

Bumblebee - cluster around the goalie inside the six. Ball should be played into the cluster. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

11 - Three runners at the near post, two at the back. The three runners circle around to the near post, middle, and far post, while the two at the back make direct runs across the goal.

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 Coronado 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!