Match Report: Mullen vs. Prospect Ridge (Girls Soccer)

Mullen vs Prospect Ridge

Mullen Soccer Complex (MSC): 3601 S Lowell Blvd

V@4

(Boots on by 3:15/Warm up @3:40)

JV@5:30

Match Preface:

We played Prospect Ridge last year in that crazy wild tunnel of a game. The score was 4-0. Some important things to note: one, we had the wind at our back in the first half and managed the game well. Two, we took care of the ball and finished our chances. Three, their goalie was gone. 

I imagine they are going to attempt some adjustments tonight. One, their goal keeper should be there, and she is incredibly talented. (More in the strengths section). Two, I would think they are going to try to block and counter. When we played them on the boys side in the fall, they packed everyone in, we threw the kitchen sink, their goalie went off, and the game ended 0-0. If the two coaches talk, I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar strategy. We are going to have to be aware of the counter, and we are going to have to win with the ball tonight. That means we have to play quick, find feet, take our chances, and be patient.

PRA Strengths:

1. Their goalie - this girl can really play. She is excellent coming off her line, and she is the reason why PRA stays in most of their games. 1v1, we have to try to get around her. We have to try to shoot through the screen. And it is really important that we are clinical on our set pieces and create dangerous situations. We have to try and do everything in our power to remove her from the game and not play to her strengths. The one weakness I would say that she has is that sometimes she is pretty audacious off her line. We can beat her to a ball, or drive at her and lay it off across the face of the goal to try and eliminate her from play. We are going to have to work hard to score on her.

2. The have two junior attackers that linked up for a number of goals last year. This year they are wearing the number 5 and the number 12. 5 will play up top, and she is a very fast hard working player. She will close us down, try to counter, and put on a lot of pressure when she can. 12 moves through the midfield well, both on the dribble and with distribution. We'll have to contain her with our midfield 3 and not let her dictate the game.

3. They are returning the giant CB that crunched Kate in the box last year. Her positioning is good, she is physical, and kind of fast, but if we move the ball quickly, we can remover her from the game.

Lastly, this is a PRA team that will try and move the ball, they will be disciplined on defense, and they will fight hard to stay in the game. Plus, they want some redemption. We should expect a grinder tonight. We are going to have to stay patient, keep the ball, and finish our opportunities. The longer we leave them in the game, the more motivation we will give them to stay there. 

PRA weaknesses:

The biggest thing for PRA is going to be their depth. They have good players on the squad, but they don't have a full cast like a CA or Northfield. We need to try and exploit the weaknesses in the line up. The best thing we can do is be organized in our press, and take care of the ball. If we win high and play smart, we will be able to put the final puzzle pieces in place. They won't have the depth to roll with us over 80 if we play our best soccer.

Additionally, they'll have made the trip down through Denver, so if we can start the game with high intensity, we can bring it to them quickly. We had set pieces against Windsor in the first 7 minutes, and I'd like to see us do the same. Let's press the game early and establish a quick tempo that they are unprepared for.

Mullen Keys to Success:

For me, in reflection of the season so far, our keys to success are two fold:

1. We need to put the final puzzle piece in place. We have demonstrated some spectacular build up, but, against Windsor especially, we rushed the final product and it cost us. 

Let's capitalize on set plays, drive the end line when the opportunity presents itself, and get in front of goal.

2. We have to make the right decisions: foul when we should, not when we shouldn't. Press into their wingers and OBs. Get goal side for position. We just have to put a whole game together.

Additionally, we are going to start tonight in our 3-2-3-2.

Remember the following:

The two nines need to press together to direct the game toward the flanks. And then in the attack, the strong side nine can check to the play while the weakside nine stays central and high to capitalize on the ball over or across the face of the goal. They need to stay close and hunt together.

BOTH NINES CAN'T VACATE THE MIDDLE - THAT DESTROYS THE POINT.

As for the press on the wing, the strong side winger needs to press the OB and the strong side CB needs to pick up the winger. One six can drop a little deeper to cover. Then when the game switches, we press in the same fashion on the other side. 

In the attack, we want the right and left CBs to come up through the middle lane to get involved in the attack. It is an inverted run that adds another dynamic to the midfield.

If you have questions, come see me at lunch!!!

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!

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.