Match Report: Mullen vs. Lutheran

 Match Report: Mullen vs. Lutheran

Location: Lutheran High School Turf Field (11249 Newlin Gulch Blvd, Parker, CO 80134)

JV@4:30 - Arrive by 3:40

Varsity@6:30 - Arrive by 5:30 (Boots on by 5:45)

Lutheran Strengths:

#17 has a huge impact on the game. She plays the OB on the right side and she likes to penetrate through the interior lanes. On the dribble, she draws the back line toward her and allows attacking players to run in behind at which time she plays a direct ball. Our shape will be elemental in containing her.

#7 plays the 10 and she is incredibly dynamic. She moves well through the half spaces and is willing to turn and shoot or distribute at speed. Our 6s need to track her movement and stay tight so she can't break the lines.

11 (maybe...) She plays the nine and she is willing to shoot from anywhere. She prefers to make penetrating runs in front of goal; however, against the block she can get frustrated with the lack of opportunity and she starts shooting from range. We have to play her like Naomi Clark. Follow her into the half spaces and close her down. She had a brace the other night against DisCo

They also have a talented CB who likes to dribble and a dedicated attacking line that doesn't mind doing the dirty work. They will chase down everything. 

Additionally, Lutheran is incredibly strong in possession and then transition. They move the ball around patiently to pull the defense out of shape and then their back line players penetrate on the dribble. They find the gaps and then try to push the direct ball through to the end line for 1v1s with the keeper or crossed balls across the face of the goal. Both of which are dangerous.

*When playing against a penetrating back line, two things are essential.

1. When players start to dribble, we have to collapse the gaps with strong tackles. We can't allow them to fight through.

2. Our goalies need to be super heads up and quick off their line. This will allow them to pick up anything long and direct as well as close down players quickly.

The last two things worth noting are that Lutheran sends a wicked long ball, and they are very opportunistic. They are happy to spring the game with a big ball when an attack is committed and dispossessed, and they have scored a number of goals off defensive mistakes. We have to be clean and conservative out of the back, but we also have to be smart in possession in the attacking third. We don't want to run head long into the defense, we want to find smart passes, go back to go forward, and fight for set pieces.

Lutheran Weaknesses:

1. I think their goalie is good, but not great. They have given up a couple of goals on set plays and shots high. We need to try to capitalize on these moments. 

2. They demonstrate a little disorganization when they are defending in their own territory. CheyMo goes up 1-0 in that game off a ball kind of bouncing around in the mixer. I think we need to keep going and fight to put the ball in the back of the net when the opportunity arises.

3. They commit a lot of players forward. I think that our goalies should try to go big quickly in order to spring an attack behind their midfield. So let's clear the box - goalies go out with pace before Lutheran can get set.

Mullen Keys to success - 

The biggest thing tonight is going to be our patience and our organization. If we keep our shape and scan for checking players we can take away a lot of opportunities and frustrate this Lutheran team.

We have to make sure to recover underneath and keep close contact with the midfield and dropping forwards to also take away shooting opportunities.

Lastly, we can't squander our possessions. We want to go forward when possible; however, not at all costs. Go back to go forward and retain possession of the ball instead of just turning into defenders.

Like we talked about the other day:

"You don't score goals by simply trying to score goals. You try to play good soccer and goals are the result of doing so."

Trust the game, and each other.

Please also look at this again:

1. I think the biggest thing is that we have to fight for a win today and be willing to do the dirty work (especially pressing hard in the attacking third)

2. We need to keep our defensive positioning and hit our defensive shifts to prevent the counter:

In this picture, you can see that our midfield has been pulled over to the flank, which exposes the middle of the park. Even as an opposing midfielder drifts outside, we need to make sure to not chase her, but pass her off instead. As you can see, if we allow the OB to step up to press, we drop our strong side six, and slide our weakside six, we have a defensive midfielder in a central position that can eventually break up the counter.

And here, as the winger cuts in to take the shot, we need to make sure that our strongside CB is stepping into a cover position while our weakside CB drops to balance. This allows us to block the shot higher up field, or prevent it in the first place. 

Lastly, we need to be effective on set pieces tonight. They will play a big role in tonight's game.

DON'T LOSE THE THROWER - RETAIN POSSESION ON THE THROW

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

Lizzy is not in the starting line up today, Fiona will float.

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. 

Lollipop: Three players at the near post, 2 players at the back post (our 9 plays the kitty and hunts at the top) The three players roll off to the far post, the middle, and the near post, while the two players in the back run across the face of the goal. The server hits an inswinging corner.

Rio: This is 2, but quickly and deceptively. One person goes to the corner while the other goes to get the ball. Make a show of sending the ball to the kicker like you aren't involved in the play. Then step onto the field and execute the corner.

Good luck!