Match Report: Mullen vs Roaring Fork (Girls Soccer 2024)

 Mullen vs Roaring Fork

Roaring Fork High School ( 2270 Highway 133, Carbondale, CO 81623)

Varsity: Breakfast @8

Depart: 8:35

Boots on: 9:15

Warm up: 9:20

JV: Breakfast @830 ish

See rides for departure.

Preface: Last year Roaring Fork travelled out to us and we handled them pretty well. Our outside backs and attackers played in a significant role in breaking down their defense. They are an older and deeper squad this year, so this is a win we are going to have to fight for. Plus, they are at home so they know their field, play at altitude. We are going to have to go hard at them and define the culture of the game from the very start.

RF Strengths:

Roaring Fork has a very strong attack. Their wingers are fast and their 9 is a good hold up player. She does well to push the line (and while she is off sides sometimes) she is always looking to get in behind.

RF appears to play a pretty direct 4-3-3 where the wingers stay wide and really try to work the flanks. They will attempt to get the ball up the line quick and let their wingers work. It is an interesting tactic, but usually one of two things will happen. One, they will try to play a direct ball down the line to the winger who will then try to turn her OB and penetrate down the line. If she can do this, she'll then fire on goal with a cross goal shot or look to cross. They seem more prone to stay outside (but still want to shoot direct from there) then make a lot of runs inside their defensive marks. Or two, they will look to switch the ball through to the other side and then the winger proceeds as noted above. 

**This needs to be combatted in two ways. One, we need to press the wingers and OBs and prevent the direct ball down the line. If we can do this, we cut off the connection between those two positions and force them to move the ball around. If we are well positioned, this will increase their turn over rate. Two, we need to prevent the wingers from easy turns with the ball. We want to direct them outside and be touch tight so it is harder for them to evade us on the flanks. Finally, our keeper needs to stay super sharp and always be ready for the shot. Additionally, the more our OBs get forward and involved in the game, the more they drag their wingers into the back field and force them into defensive positions.

RF also has a strong six and a conservative back line. When she isn't under pressure, the six can move the ball well and is always trying to break the lines. We need to use our 10 to contain her movement, but we also want to put pressure on her so she has less time to move the ball. RF also seems to have a relatively conservative back line, who can move the ball around in the back, but wants to go forward quickly. Be on the look out for counters that build quickly from the back. We want to use our 9 to really press the CBs one direction or another, especially out to the flanks and prevent the long ball over the top.

Please also keep in mind that RF wants to shoot from everywhere. Close them down, and blocks shots. They should never have time to fire, they should be under constant pressure.

Lastly, they will be familiar with their field and environment, we have to try to gear the game toward our strengths. Hard press, good organization, and set pieces.

RF weaknesses:

This is a good team that has a number of wins and hasn't given up a ton of goals.

With that said, there are a couple areas we can try to exploit:

1. They do not look prepared for the pace of our press or how much pressure we can put on individual players. In a number of games that I've watched, they seem to have a lot of time. We want to punish bad touches and press the game hard. The more pressure we can create, the more they will struggle to play their game. We have to bring so much intensity to the game.

2. While their backline doesn't always elevate on the flanks, on occasion they can get high and flat. Furthermore, they can also get quite disconnected from the midfield. This leaves a gap in between the back line and the middle of the park. We need to find our attacking players in this gap. We can play wall passes down the line or through the gaps in the middle to get in behind. We have to find the half spaces and really expose them. One and two touch soccer will be key. Get the ball, move the ball, play in possession.     

3.  We have some creative set plays that RF might struggle with based on their opponents so far. We need to find the ball and execute our corners especially. This is an area where we can be particularly dangerous.

4. At times their goalie looks shaky, we have to go after her.

Keys to success: 

Press the game

OBs get involved in the attack.

Keep the ball

Score

***From Film: No plays off. Fight for the game and be open to what it gives you. Don't fight against the game and play like you deserve something from it.

If we play with each other, we'll crush this team.

Lastly, please remember the keys to breaking down the block.

a. Shoot from outside the block - crash shots

b. Cross into the block from the flanks

c. Penetrate the block on the dribble and with passes. 

Do these things, and we will find some success today. Oh! and Rember the corners and set plays are the blocks worst nightmare. Find them. 

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!

REMEMBER: We need our corners to be more dangerous. Take risks, be brave, and really hook the ball in!

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.