Mullen vs. PRA

 Match Report: Mullen vs. PRA

Location: Prospector Ridge Academy Turf Field (Just North of the school) 

2555 Preble Creek Pkwy, Broomfield, CO 80023

Time: V@4 - JV immediately to follow 

Notes: Varsity early release is at 1:45 - team meeting is at 1:45 in room 313. Arrival time at PRA is 3:00-3:10 please.

JV will be release after school and depart circa 3:30 I believe.

Both teams: White all the way down

Today's quote:

“I cannot have a concept of football where everything is based on the opposition. We have to dictate the game,” - Mikel Arteta

Preface: I've included this quote today on account of the fact that we do not have a ton of information (outside statistical data) on PRA. However, with that said, I believe that if we focus on our soccer, and dictate the press and culture of the game, we can remain unbeaten in this campaign.

What we do know (kind of) about PRA: 

PRA has a couple of players of interest -

1. They have Kateri Trujillo, and she is awesome. She wears the number 8, but primarily appears to play the 9. She scored 32 goals last year!!! She can dribble and finish, but her strong suit is out on the wing crossing the ball. I think she carries a lot of the attack in the program and they look to find her up top often. She will come back to the ball, but the winger in her prefers to run on to it. She is crafty, and if we aren't careful, she'll strike.

2. PRA has a talented goal keeper who is super fast off her line. This is both a both a blessing and a curse. We want to exploit the width of this field and try to bring the ball across the middle because over hit through balls are just going to get scooped up. However, on account of her prowess, PRA seems to keep a pretty high line with space in behind. If we can play well weighted balls in behind the defense, we can cause this team a lot of problems. She also appears to be a little "heady" though. If we can put some up on her, she is going to struggle.

Finally, it is my opinion that this team is on par with CA. They appear to have the same quality to certain areas. However, it also looks like they play a different style of soccer. Whereas CA wants to possess the ball, move it wide, and find their checking 9 to pull the defense out of shape, PRA seems to be much more direct. They want to play the big ball and allow Kateri to work. This isn't to say that they don't have the technical skill, the players are talented, they are just far more direct and territorial. Expect big clearances, and direct play into the attack. They (like us) will also try to capitalize on set pieces.

Finally, maybe...

Our win over CA is going to be intimidating to them. There is a chance that they are going to play low and look to counter us. In reviewing our film, I think one of our biggest mistakes against CA was our failure to dictate the game. They were coming really deep to receive the ball and expecting to have to grind out of the back. The lack of intensity in our press really opened up the game, and allowed them to not only strike in transition, but it also allowed them to possess the ball at the top of the final third. In other words, we really played to their strength instead of capitalizing on ours.

We have to be different against PRA tonight. We have to press high, and hard, and when we lose the ball, we need to immediately contain and attempt to not only stop the counter, but win the ball back as well. We should make PRA suffer for the entire 80 minutes that they have to play us. 

Remember, the intensity of our press is directly proportional to our goal scoring opportunities. The better we execute our press, the more chances on goal we create, and the more set pieces we have. Play high, attack and dictate the game.

What do we know about us?

1. We are unbeaten against some of the better teams in the state right now, and we are best when we are organized, executing set pieces, and exploiting the space in behind the defense. 

So I want tonight's game to be about us, and how we dictate the culture and identity of the game. I want us to find ourselves as we head into league.

The biggest adjustment that we need to make (as discussed in yesterday's film session) is how we execute our press. Please see the two diagrams below.

The scene above occurred on numerous occasions vs. CA. The OB had possession of the ball, and our attackers were pressing their marks to prevent the counter; however, our outsides backs were dropped off their marks, the opposing wingers (who, as you can see in the image have come deep to receive the ball) Consequently, the ball carrier had numerous outlets to work out of the back. And each time, when they found a winger, they winger was able to build out with momentum and start the counter or force us back into the block. Remember, defense starts in our attacking third.

This image on the other hand is an example of how we should look as we press in the attacking third. As you can see, both of our outside backs are pressed hard against the opposing wingers (without the weakside outside back being higher than the ball) and now, if the OB using a winger as an outlet, we are right there to receive them, which prevents them from amassing any momentum into a counter. At this point, the only real option is a big ball out. Furthermore, when everyone presses, it ensures that the press of the attacking players is worthwhile. If we don't press as a team (like in the above image) our attackers often just run around chasing the ball.

So let's make today about our strengths as a team. We should dictate how the game is played, we should find the width on this big pitch, and as always, we should recover under the ball. 

Mullen Keys to Success:

1. Take the space

2. Play to the weakside

3. Finish our set pieces

4. No mistakes in the back.

The number one thing we need to do tonight is be organized in our press and in our block. Everyone gets under the ball. If we condense the area, execute our marks, and close down shots, they are really going to struggle. DO NOT DIVE IN, CONTAIN THE GAME.

When we stay organized and recover, and then transition quickly into attack, we will give this PRA team a world of problems.

Secondly, we can't make mistakes in the back. Let's play conservative soccer, when in doubt, boot it out. Their striker has a nose for goal, and we need to respect that.

Lastly, we need to use our set pieces well. Free kicks and corners will be essential.

Set Pieces:

Defending corners: 

Remember that when we are defending corners, we are in a man/zone hybrid. The zone marks are at the posts, and floating near the back of the six. Every other player should be marking an opponent. If there is no second taker, that player needs to drop back and pick up a mark, as does our nine if we are outnumbered. Purple = zone, Navy = man mark

Corners -

REMEMBER: When you are down in the attacking corner and trapped, play the ball off your opponent. We should be looking for moments to get throws and corners in the attacking third.

REMEMBER: We don't want to rush our corner kicks or set pieces. They are an invaluable part of our system and a great way to score goals. Huddle up before the corner to figure out who is going where and then execute your run!

Marcoux: This is an in swinging corner hit to the middle of the goal inside the second six (the space between the six yard box and the pk spot) runs should be made to the near and far post and the middle. Remember to send the ball back across the face of the goal at the far post.

2: This is an overlapping corner. The first player plays the ball short and then overlaps the second player who then lays it off. The initial player should then hit a curving ball to the far post (on goal) We need to crash the far post.

2 - option: If the defender over commits, the second player should beat them on the dribble down the line.

Bumble Bee: Create a hive around the goalie. The taker should hit an inswing ball in on goal. One player should break to the near post, and another should roll off to the back post. 

Blue: Two players bounce off the posts, the server plays the ball deep to the back post, and that player heads the ball back across the goal.

7: Line up like we are taking 2. Outside backs stay deep. Play the ball to the outside back, she plays it back to the second player, and that player swings it into the back post. When the initial ball plays, the weakside OB is sprinting to the back post to finish the shot. 

GATITO (Little kitties): On this corner, the server should send in a violent and volitile inswinging ball. We will then pump fake runs into the box, allow the ball to be served, and then crash the area where the ball is headed. On this corner, you are hunting down poor clearances or misplayed balls that land in the box. 

Free Kicks -

Name + Number

ex. Kendall 1 (would be Kendall hitting a right footed shot to the near post)

1 = Right

2 = Left

No mistakes in the back. No goals against. Work hard for each other.

Good luck.