2021 Game Notes

[Ejay]

@SimpleCoach, if you haven't already read it, I suggest you pick up a copy of "The Numbers Game - Why Everything You Know About Soccer is Wrong", by Chris Anderson and David Sally.  From the jacket... Innovation is coming to soccer, and at the center of it all are the numbers—a way of thinking about the game that ignores the obvious in favor of how things actually are. In The Numbers Game, Chris Anderson, a former professional goalkeeper turned soccer statistics guru, teams up with behavioral analyst David Sally to uncover the numbers that really matter when it comes to predicting a winner. Investigating basic but profound questions—How valuable are corners? Which goal matters most? Is possession really nine-tenths of the law? How should a player's value be judged?—they deliver an incisive, revolutionary new way of watching and understanding soccer.

It was published in 2013 so some things may have changed by now, but it is a fantastic read.  Some of the tidbits you may enjoy:

• Only 1 in every 5 corners lead to a shot, and only 1 in every 9 shots produced from a corner lead to a goal. Lesson: it may be better to play it short and retain possession than to hit and hope.
• In the 2010/11 Premier League season, defenders averaged 63 touches of the ball per 90 minutes.  Midfielders 73, Forwards 51.
• In the average game, the ball changes hands 400 times
• 30% of all regained possessions in the opponents penalty area lead to shots on goals; and about half of all goals come from those same regained possessions
• only two of every nine goals came from moves in which there were more than three passes
• the team with more shots on target wins between 50-58% of the time, depending on the league
• 91.5% of plays never reach a fourth successful pass

[SimpleCoach]

Colby v Connecticut College
Colby
Bias? – Love the cheese and son has been there on a recruiting trip.

   That looks like one heck of a field/stadium.  Really nice, although the grass looks a little on the longer side.
   And certainly, appreciate the quality video
   First opportunity goes to Conn.  Cleared out for a corner.  And the corner was dangerous as well.
   Second time watching Conn, and they are tough on set pieces.  Have some trees who can really get up.
   Connecticut owns the ball.  Colby just can't hold on to it. 
   Connecticut will score on a corner this game.  Matter of time.
   Colby –
o   23 Passes in 10 minutes
o   10 bad passes
o   43% defined as bad passes
o   2:1 Ratio
   Connecticut
o   48 Passes
o   10 Bad
o   20% defined as bad passes
o   5:1 Ratio
   Colby just shoots itself in the foot.  Too many of their guys hold the ball until the last minute, and Connecticut doesn't give them the time to do something with it.
   Having said that, outside of set pieces, not sure Connecticut is getting too dangerous in the run of play.
   25 minutes left in the half.
   In a game like this, would have thought that they would want to concentrate on moving the ball and waiting for the gaps to open up.  Instead, they get wasteful on the attack with the ball trying to force something that's not there.  If I were the Connecticut coach I would say to calm down, move the ball and be patient.  Goals will follow.
   Colby tries to force it, especially on the left side where the winger wants to take on the whole team.  Loses the ball... every time.
   18 minutes left.
   Colby defends with 8, while Conn attacks with 5.
   Maybe I should start counting quality of services into the box. 
   7 Conn corner kicks with 15 minutes left.
   Conn is getting sucked into Colby's chaos.  And there is no need.  Plenty of time on the clock.  And all they need is one.  Colby will struggle under the weight of trying to come back from behind.
   And half.  Connecticut 0, Colby 0.
   Am done with this one.

[PaulNewman]

Ohio Wesleyan v John Carroll

   An lo' and behold.  Off a throw in into the near side of the box, OWU forward works to control it.  He is in the middle of five defenders, only one marking an OWU player.  That other OWU player keeps moving.  John Carroll player vacates a space to go press the player with the ball.  That empty space is now filled with the OWU player who was once marked and get the ball.  Takes a touch and hits the ball between two John Carrol defenders who are near post at the six and 12.  There is another at the 6 middle of goal, and another defender marking an OWU forward.  The forward steps to the ball and one times it and buries it in the net.  Ohio Wesleyan 1, John Carroll 0.  Goal scorer is the only OWU player at the top of the six.  There are four John Carroll defenders in the same area.

Great analysis and detail.  One add-on.  The throw in to the near side of box only happened because OWU's best player, Gomez, saw a ball he couldn't win near the touchline but pressured anyway and forced the JCU player to clear the ball over the sideline near the corner flag.  Otherwise JCU would have had time for a better clear or room to let the ball go out for a goal kick.  In the moment I was surprised and impressed at this little hustle play, well into the 2nd half, and 10 seconds later OWU has a goal.  Gomez threw the ball in to an OWU player who nicely shielded in the box biding time to slot the ball a few yards towards the six and Jaggar or Brooker or whichever one is his last name flashed towards the ball with two JCU defenders on him and put the ball in the back of the net.

[SimpleCoach]

Great analysis and detail.  One add-on.  The throw in to the near side of box only happened because OWU's best player, Gomez, saw a ball he couldn't win near the touchline but pressured anyway and forced the JCU player to clear the ball over the sideline near the corner flag.  Otherwise JCU would have had time for a better clear or room to let the ball go out for a goal kick.  In the moment I was surprised and impressed at this little hustle play, well into the 2nd half, and 10 seconds later OWU has a goal.  Gomez threw the ball in to an OWU player who nicely shielded in the box biding time to slot the ball a few yards towards the six and Jaggar or Brooker or whichever one is his last name flashed towards the ball with two JCU defenders on him and put the ball in the back of the net.

No doubt.  The whole play leading up to the throw in was a great display of forcing John Carroll to make bad decisions on the ball.  Also thought it showed the balance that OWU has around the ball at all times.

[SimpleCoach]

Greenville v Washington University
Greenville – Francis Field
Bias? – Not my first rodeo with WashU, and I didn't know Greenville was a thing.

   Washington has owned the ball literally. Greenville did not have a pass in the first 3 minutes, 30 seconds.
   Big save by keeper on a one on one for Greenville.
   Greenville first touch on the ball led to four passes and a shot on goal.
   Washington is passing the ball a lot, but only in the back and midfield.  Haven't been able to connect up top.  Think Greenville knows to sit back and wait for them to come.
   Greenville is trying to get a hold of the ball but struggles to keep it.  Aside from the shot that went over the goal, their passing is mostly in the back.  Washington is not giving them an inch when they cross midfield.
   Greenville just kicking and hoping
     Washington U is comfortable in the pass to the midfielders, but again don't get anywhere. 
   For Washington, all four backs will touch the ball before they get forward.  It's predictable.  Once it gets to the middle, the target is #19 who is always checking back to the ball.  But Greenville is holding with a solid the back line.
   If Washington U could pick up the pace, they would be causing serious problems for Greenville.  Not particularly good at marking in the midfield, but good at keeping the ball in front.... Cause it's moving slow.
   Greenville is content if the Washington U center backs have the ball.  Don't even bother pressing.  Am wondering where either team will get a goal.  In the air in the box for Washington, quick counter and a lucky bounce for Greenville.
   17 down in the first half.
   If I were the coach for Washington U, I would start calling for everyone to pick up the tempo.  I would also test the keeper in the air as he has been shaky.  For Greenville, I would keep doing what I am doing.  A tie would be a win at this point.  Sure that will not happen, but in the first 20 minutes, this looks like it could.
   Greenville must be careful when it does attack.  The front three can be slow to get back, and when you defend with 9, that's a problem.
   When Washington U does counter, they waste it away with a bad pass.
   Don't know Greenville at all.  Don't know of their affiliation, mission ... anything.  But it is interesting that only 5 players on a 50-man roster are from the US.  Again, not a judgement, just hadn't seen that before.
   Washington University just had a wide-open chance that the forward shot wide from the 18.
   Greenville sits back, as I mentioned.  Washington University moves the ball well until maybe 35/40 yards out, then loses the ball from either pressure or a bad pass.  28 minutes in.
   Washington University is the better soccer team, but as of right now, Greenville is the smarter team.  I suspect that if Washington U can score, the flood gates could open. 
   Seems to me that this is in Washington U's hands to make of this game what they want.
   And like that, 30 minutes in, on a corner whipped in near post, a Washington U center back gets up and puts in the ol' onion bag.  Keeper kind of went fishing so he didn't even have a chance.  It was the first real good opportunity they had.  Greenville 0, Washington University 1.
   How lopsided did it seem to be?
o   For Greenville - 29 passes, 7 bad.  4 to 1 pass ratio.
o   For Washington University – 69 passes, 6 bad .... A new high of 11 to 1 pass ratio.
   It was that clear.
   I'm out. 

[SimpleCoach]

Regis v MIT
Regis
Bias? –Did not know Regis was a thing MIT is where a lot of smart people are.

   From earlier this week
   Not the best of video productions to watch.
   Very interested in watching MIT.  Been reading that they can play.  May have to wait for another game because it is hard to follow a game that you are watching from a mile away...
   Little bit of popcorn ball which I think suits Regis.  Having said that, MIT wins the ball back when they lose it pretty quickly.  Not afraid to play balls in tight spaces.
   Active midfield that Regis is trying to crowd. 
   MIT will score on a corner. 
   Starting to see the inability of Regis to get out and relieve some of the pressure MIT is applying.  Regis has a lone forward who has little to now support, unless you call the midfielder 30 yards behind him, support.
    MIT starting to break out quick when they recover the ball in the back.  Regis is being slowly pulled apart.
   Regis is trying to get the ball up top, but just not connecting in a meaningful way.  Only way they are getting dangerous is set pieces form 45 yards in where they lump it into the box, hoping for a deflection of someone connecting and slipping it past the keeper.
   Otherwise, MIT is slowly taking over the game.  Still being patient but getting more aggressive up top.  Matter of time ...
   An observation.  There are 15 players, that I can see, that are all in the corner, between say the 22 and end line, and from the spot to the sideline.  All trying to play the ball.  All trying to play soccer.  On the frame of the video is just space.  Green luscious space.  With no one there.
   Now they are trying to stretch them out again.   Shots however are met with a Regis wall of bodies.
   MIT is trying to send the ball in for some trees to win it in the air.  Can see this being dangerous but they need to think out the back line before they send in balls that could be effective.  Too many defenders milling about.
   Not sure how much time is left on the clock.  0-0 when I dropped off, but MIT should walk away with a W.  Don't think Regis will be able to keep it locked down for much longer.
   Ok.  Think that's it for me.  Think MIT is legit.
   Out.

[SimpleCoach]

Tufts v Salem State
Salam
Bias? – Bitter over video issues and fortunately I am not a witch.

   Not even a minute or so in, center back sends a ball through to a forward running behind the line who gets a touch to push it past the keeper.  Tufts 1, Salem State O 
   Keeper came charging out maybe a little prematurely.
   There is something ruthlessly efficient how Tufts play.  On the goal it seemed all business.  An efficient ball from distance sent into the path of a forward making a run.
   All Tufts players look large at least in comparison to Salem State.  Not afraid to mix it up, or to put balls into tight spaces.
   Pressure forces a defender to kick the ball out of bounds.  Throw in into the box that the defender heads it out.  25 yards out a Tufts player.  Taps it out wide to winger who puts it across.  Salem State defender awkwardly tries to clear the ball with his head.  Ball bounces up to a Tufts forward who settles the ball with his chest and buries it into the back of the net.  Tufts 2, Salem State 0
   Again, just ruthless.  Second shot for Tufts and that's the game.  It's as if they do there thing and then like a rattle snake they strike with dizzying speed.  Impressive.
   Salem State can't mount a good defense against it.
   15 minutes in.
   Tufts is very positionally aware.  Know where players and the next play is at any given time.   
   Salem State now sitting back.  Everyone in one half.
   Salem State not following forwards into midfield.  This will kill them.
   Only pass Salem State has is in the back.
   Tuft forwards make runs every time, whether they get the ball or not.
   #6 for Tufts is a heck of a midfielder.
   Hard to say where Tufts is weak in a game like this.  Their defensive posture is not really challenged or questioned.  Tufts bad passes are mostly as they try to slot a forward or play something up high.  They use space in the back and midfield so well, they don't lose the ball in the areas.
   Wow.  And imagine that.  Right back tries to usher a ball out of bounds and the Salem State player manages to steal it away down the like.  Enters the box and passes it to a forward at the 12-yard line, who one times the ball far post.  Tufts 2, Salem State 1. 
   Tufts looks angry, and a bit off kilter because of that goal.  They have gotten serious and are pressing for a third goal.
   Salem State will need more fortuitous plays to score.  They are really not creating anything.
   And then out of nowhere, the video goes dead and the score is showing 3-1 for Tufts.
   Ok.  Controversy.  A ball in the box that rebounded to a Tufts player who calmy brought it under control and drilled the ball upper corner.  The linesman called it off, and the Salem Players looked like they kind of stopped.  But the ball originally came off the Salem State player so no off.  Tufts 4, Salem State 1.  Again, just real efficient with the opportunities.
   I am out.  This game is over.  And it's almost halftime.

[d4_Pace]

#6 is Derek Enge. He's a heck of a player but hasn't gotten a ton of playing time until this year, his super senior year. Despite coming in to the season expecting to be an off the bench player again he was still voted captain by his teammates. That really shows what kind of player and person he is. Having a player of his quality to come off the bench, along with some good fortune, is also the biggest reason Tufts have won 4 out of last 6 titles. Other teams have had better players and probably better XIs during that time but no one has had better depth.

[SimpleCoach]

#6 is Derek Enge. He's a heck of a player but hasn't gotten a ton of playing time until this year, his super senior year. Despite coming in to the season expecting to be an off the bench player again he was still voted captain by his teammates. That really shows what kind of player and person he is. Having a player of his quality to come off the bench, along with some good fortune, is also the biggest reason Tufts have won 4 out of last 6 titles. Other teams have had better players and probably better XIs during that time but no one has had better depth.

Well, definitely speaks to Tufts.  Amazing.  They must be a recruiting machine to be able to have bench players like that.

[SimpleCoach]

Gettysburg v Lebanon Valley
Lebanon Valley
Bias? – I've climbed both round tops and I've been to Amish country

   This is a game from September 15th.  Great video production quality.  Beautiful grass field.
   Gettysburg is very direct while LVC tries to work the ball a little more.
   It is interesting to watch this contrast in style.  LVC has had a look at goal and because Gettysburg is so insistent in getting up, there is a lot of space.  LVC is doing a good job of finding the space behind the midfield and backs.  Not sure if Gettysburg is operating in slow motion or this is how they play.
   And just like that.  Anatomy of a goal.  Corner for LVC.  Keeper punches it out and poor clearance buy Gettysburg.  LVC #29 gets the ball about 40 yard out.  Gettysburg defender steps to him and shows him the middle of the field, which #29 takes.  Center forward makes a run behind a defender.  Takes a touch and drops it back to an unmarked #29 who takes a touch and hits the ball far post for a goal.  As soon as he made the original pass, his defender just stopped.  Gettysburg 1, LVC 0.
   Not sure if it is this game, but LVC is more methodical with the ball.  Not sure they are as effective with the ball as Gettysburg is but they move the ball through the midfield much better than Gettysburg. 
   Gettysburg squanders a lot of balls when they are in the attacking third because they force it and they are not particularly good at connecting in tight spaces.
   I was expecting more of Gettysburg.  Maybe because I have always been an admirer of Gen. John Buford.
   Anyone playing Gettysburg should be tight literally at midfield.  They launch the ball forward when they cross midfield.  The other place to be tight, and dare I say double up on are the wings.  That's where the launched balls go.
   And so long as you don't commit any errors, not sure Gettysburg can get near goal.
   LVC looks like they will score before Gettysburg.  15 minutes in.
   If they do come down the middle, Gettysburg looks to set up a shot from 25 yards out.
   When they aren't tight on the wings, LVC is vulnerable to balls being whipped into the box.    Keeper had to come up big for what could have been a tying goal.
   Gettysburg is starting to assert itself in this game.  Don't think it is a question of them being better, just that the defending has gotten lax for LVC. 24 minutes left in the half.
   A great stretch for LVC starting out of the back that ends up with the ball in the back of the net.  Gettysburg kicks and hopes and the ball goes to the center back with ease, no pressure, and no Gettysburg player around him.  At the 25 in his half, the back waits for his backs to get wide and stretch out Gettysburg.  Instead of going wide, he passes to a midfielder who is dropping back.  The midfielder hits it out wide to the outside back who takes a couple of touches and passes to a midfielder making a run just beyond midfield.  Like moths to a flame three Gettysburg players try to step to the ball.  The midfielder takes a touch and hits it down the line to a winger who is making a run and wide open.... Because the moths got burned by the flame.... It's a 3 v 3 situation.  Winger puts the ball across and the forward who was far post makes a run to the middle, his defender does not follow and one times the ball into the back of the net.  That was kind of a clinical goal.  Really impressive.  Five passes and a goal. 21 minutes left.
   This is not science.  Maybe I should count the success of long balls sent up to forwards to make it scientific.  But they don't work.  Maybe shift where a team can apply pressure, but otherwise, they don't work.  The ones that don't work 100% of the time are the ones at kickoff.  The single most wasted ball in the history of soccer.  Just had to get that out of my system.
   LVC has fewer forays into Gettysburg's box, but they are dangerous when they do.  Something Gettysburg is not.  15 minutes left.
   Think I have seen enough.

[jknezek]

Just an fyi... Friday Christopher Newport at W&L.  Worth putting in the rotation.

[SimpleCoach]

Just an fyi... Friday Christopher Newport at W&L.  Worth putting in the rotation.

Done.

[PaulNewman]

Just an fyi... Friday Christopher Newport at W&L.  Worth putting in the rotation.

Done.

A few classics for down the road.....Amherst vs Tufts, Cortland vs Oneonta, Chicago vs Rochester, NYU, or Emory, OWU vs Kenyon, Calvin vs Hope, Tufts vs Middlebury and/or Bowdoin, Hopkins vs F&M...

[Gregory Sager]

Gettysburg v Lebanon Valley
Lebanon Valley
Bias? – I've climbed both round tops and I've been to Amish country

   This is a game from September 15th.  Great video production quality.  Beautiful grass field.
   Gettysburg is very direct while LVC tries to work the ball a little more.
   It is interesting to watch this contrast in style.  LVC has had a look at goal and because Gettysburg is so insistent in getting up, there is a lot of space.  LVC is doing a good job of finding the space behind the midfield and backs.  Not sure if Gettysburg is operating in slow motion or this is how they play.
   And just like that.  Anatomy of a goal.  Corner for LVC.  Keeper punches it out and poor clearance buy Gettysburg.  LVC #29 gets the ball about 40 yard out.  Gettysburg defender steps to him and shows him the middle of the field, which #29 takes.  Center forward makes a run behind a defender.  Takes a touch and drops it back to an unmarked #29 who takes a touch and hits the ball far post for a goal.  As soon as he made the original pass, his defender just stopped.  Gettysburg 1, LVC 0.
   Not sure if it is this game, but LVC is more methodical with the ball.  Not sure they are as effective with the ball as Gettysburg is but they move the ball through the midfield much better than Gettysburg. 
   Gettysburg squanders a lot of balls when they are in the attacking third because they force it and they are not particularly good at connecting in tight spaces.
   I was expecting more of Gettysburg.  Maybe because I have always been an admirer of Gen. John Buford.
   Anyone playing Gettysburg should be tight literally at midfield.  They launch the ball forward when they cross midfield.  The other place to be tight, and dare I say double up on are the wings.  That's where the launched balls go.
   And so long as you don't commit any errors, not sure Gettysburg can get near goal.
   LVC looks like they will score before Gettysburg.  15 minutes in.
   If they do come down the middle, Gettysburg looks to set up a shot from 25 yards out.
   When they aren't tight on the wings, LVC is vulnerable to balls being whipped into the box.    Keeper had to come up big for what could have been a tying goal.
   Gettysburg is starting to assert itself in this game.  Don't think it is a question of them being better, just that the defending has gotten lax for LVC. 24 minutes left in the half.
   A great stretch for LVC starting out of the back that ends up with the ball in the back of the net.  Gettysburg kicks and hopes and the ball goes to the center back with ease, no pressure, and no Gettysburg player around him.  At the 25 in his half, the back waits for his backs to get wide and stretch out Gettysburg.  Instead of going wide, he passes to a midfielder who is dropping back.  The midfielder hits it out wide to the outside back who takes a couple of touches and passes to a midfielder making a run just beyond midfield.  Like moths to a flame three Gettysburg players try to step to the ball.  The midfielder takes a touch and hits it down the line to a winger who is making a run and wide open.... Because the moths got burned by the flame.... It's a 3 v 3 situation.  Winger puts the ball across and the forward who was far post makes a run to the middle, his defender does not follow and one times the ball into the back of the net.  That was kind of a clinical goal.  Really impressive.  Five passes and a goal. 21 minutes left.
   This is not science.  Maybe I should count the success of long balls sent up to forwards to make it scientific.  But they don't work.  Maybe shift where a team can apply pressure, but otherwise, they don't work.  The ones that don't work 100% of the time are the ones at kickoff.  The single most wasted ball in the history of soccer.  Just had to get that out of my system.
   LVC has fewer forays into Gettysburg's box, but they are dangerous when they do.  Something Gettysburg is not.  15 minutes left.
   Think I have seen enough.

I don't applaud or smite as a rule, but, because you identified that there are not one but two hills called "Round Top" and you named the hero who spotted and held the high ground on July 1, 1863, you sorely tempted me to give you a +1.

[SimpleCoach]

I don't applaud or smite as a rule, but, because you identified that there are not one but two hills called "Round Top" and you named the hero who spotted and held the high ground on July 1, 1863, you sorely tempted me to give you a +1.

@Gregory Sager.  Your post alone is reward enough.