Match Report: Mullen vs. Denver North

 Mullen vs. Denver North

Jersey: All teams are navy all the way down

Time: Varsity @4, JV immediately after (5:30ish)

All games will be played on the South Field.

Preface:

This is our home opener against Denver North. They had a down year and are in a rebuild, but they have some very talented players in their arsenal. They are technical and want to play good futbol, but they will default to the direct game when they feel under pressure or like things are not going our way. This game will be defined by our willingness to be patient and disciplined. We can't chase the game. If we hold our press and work together, Denver North will have a very difficult time breaking us down.

Key players to watch:

6: He plays the six and he's very active. He will turn and attack the midfield if we give him the space to do so. Also, in a lot of ways, their system depends on him. He is the link out of the box defense through the middle, and if we don't track him with our ten and we allow if to turn, he can wreak a lot of havoc. He is physical, but risky. He can be dispossessed with smart defense.

7: He plays as the 8 and will also drop back in to receive the ball. He is tall and very talented. He can get box to box and I watched him score a wonderful header against Pomona. We need to make sure he is in sight of our 6's, and we also need to track his runs into the box.

5: Plays the right wing. He is fast, and dangerous. He likes to find the direct ball to the corner and play it across the face of the goal. Our OLB will have to be mindful of this movement, not dive in, and look to contain him.

2. He plays like a false 9 and he is very talented as well. He will drop deep for the ball if he feels like he can't find it at his feet, and he has a nice shot from distance. When he initially checks, we will need to send a CB to follow him and replace with a 6. If the movement is slow and he wonders, we can pass him off to the midfield, but if he is checking for a ball at his feet, we will need to track him in. 

Additionally, North's CBs are technical and talented. They will try to break our lines with the box in the back. We need to track the runs, scan for threats, and keep our shape in the backfield.

North strengths:

As we discussed yesterday, North's ability to play out of the back acts as their primary strength. They set up the box D and draw in the 9.10, 7 and 11. Then they make a line breaking pass to the OBs or a checking midfielder. With opposition players committed forward, this allows them to isolate defenders and create 1v1 scenarios. They will break down the midfield and move the ball quickly if we are disorganized in our press. They also have good shooters and technical players up top who can find the back of the net. Right now, their soccer is looking good. 

Please see the diagram below that illustrates how to keep our shape against their box midfield:

As you can see, North (purple) is set up in the box in the back with their 6 and 8 checking into the gap. The biggest thing is to be prepared for this structure. Normally, a ball will go wide and since the 9 can't get out to press the CB, the 7 or 11 will take up the task. When they do so, it leaves the OB open, and North and move easily down the field. In this diagram, you can see how the nine will stay in the middle and lightly press to one side or the other, just attempting to cut off the switching ball. Our 10 and 6 then need to track the runs into the middle of the park while our 7 and 11 keep their position on the flanks. If the CB moves the ball to the wing, we can press hard into the OB and if he starts to dribble into the gap, we then use our nine to pressure him on the dribble. By keeping this shape, we only allow them one option out of the back, the big ball, and we can absorb that with good defensive structure.

Patience and discipline wins the game.

North weaknesses: 

From the looks of it, this is a strong North team without a lot of weaknesses. However, early in the season, if we handle their system well, I think they will struggle to adjust. That is advantageous to us. Additionally, I understand that they are having some goalie questions. The starter is decent, but there is a freshman in the wind who is fighting for his spot and from what I understand might be the better of the two. Whatever goalie we face, we need to really challenge them. Shots on goal, definitely tracking rebounds, and fighting hard for opportunities on set pieces. 

If we press well and prove to be dangerous in the box, we are going to give Denver North some problems.

Mullen Keys to Success:

1. Pressing in organized fashion TOGETHER!

2. Position replacement - keep the shape

3. Elevation in our back line. We need to keep our shape but move up and down the field together. Stay connected!

Set pieces:

(Corners)

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. 

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.

Reminders:

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. 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!

3. 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.

JV tactical Plan:

Based on what we saw in the varsity match between Denver North vs. Pomona last week, we expect Denver North to be a solid opponent with strong, quick, and technical players.  

I expect them to play a 4-3-3 formation and will press us when we have the ball to force turnovers and create easy chances to score.  If we get beat on the sides, remember that CBs (#4 and #5)  move wide to press the attacking players and our wingbacks (#2 and #3) recover to the middle (in the penalty area) to provide cover and 6s drop in for balance and prevent their midfield from receiving easy passes.

We worked on breaking a 4-3-3 press and our wingbacks (#2 and #3) will need to move wide and up the field to create space the #6s to receive to break the press and turn or play a bounce  to the wingback.

Our CBs need to stay connected, be an outlet for a pass, and look to cover when North attacks.

On defense, our wide forwards (#11 and #7) will need to press Denver North’s wingbacks.  Our #9 needs to press the CBs when they have the ball and drive them to one side.

Our midfield must play together, forming a triangle and always looking to keep the ball - even if that means playing back to CBs to great vertical space.

Offensively, we need to stay compact, create triangles and move the ball quickly - the 7s and 11s must check in to receive passes from midfielders and not just run toward Denver North’s goal when we have the ball.

Our keys to success:

• Shape is King: scanning the field, communicating, and moving to ensure we keep our 4-2-3-1 shape
  
  

• Individual pressure of the ball:  pressure the player with the ball from an angle.
  
  

• Pressure - Cover - Balance:  quickly decide what is my role in a situation and then move accordingly.