2021 Game Notes

[Ommadawn]

Body of water is the CT River and Coast Guard's campus is amazing. I was tempted to apply but back in the stone ages of the mid 90s, they offered very few majors and I didn't have interest in being an engineer. But the campus is amazing and worthy of the other service academies.

It's worth noting that the campus of Connecticut College borders that of Coast Guard and shares some of the same water views.

[jknezek]

Body of water is the CT River and Coast Guard's campus is amazing. I was tempted to apply but back in the stone ages of the mid 90s, they offered very few majors and I didn't have interest in being an engineer. But the campus is amazing and worthy of the other service academies.

It's worth noting that the campus of Connecticut College borders that of Coast Guard and shares some of the same water views.

Very true. I remember visiting both at the same time. Both are beautiful NE small college campuses.

[SimpleCoach]

Washington & Lee v. Hanover
Hanover
Bias? – Second time watching one, first time for the other.

   This game is from earlier in the year.
   Hanover moves the ball well, just can't get that last pass right.
   W&L is largely just trying to deal with Hanover's movement off the ball, and when they win the ball, try to get it forward.  In my book they are forcing it, but it's my first time watching them so don't know if this is normal.
   W&L right wing is a very solid player.
   Hanover is trying to press all over the field.  That won't last much longer.
   W&L is quick on the attack.  They can get very dangerous in the blink of an eye.  Hanover might have better control of the ball, but W&L have the instinct to get to goal.
   W&L seems to like to work the ball on the left, then try a long ball to the right wing.  Hanover has been covering this so far.
   Hanover forwards are on a different page than the midfield.
   Hanover center forward #99 is looking to get through rather than hold the ball up.
   Why do defender's feel compelled to try to win the ball when the forward has their back to the goal?
   W&L set play on the side, player runs over the ball and heads toward the middle of the 18.  With no defenders tracking him, he receives the ball from the player left at the ball who one times a shot.  It ended up being blocked, but it was a nice uncomplicated play.
   For some reason the video kept bugging out and I didn't get to see W&L's first goal.  Washington & Lee 1, Hanover 0.
   I think W&L is a good team, just not sure I understand them being ranked #1.  They are not as effective with the ball as the usual suspects.  Watch, now they will win it all.
   They do cover defensively very well.  Keeper is small but has been solid.
   Hanover is effective with the ball, at least in 3/4s of the field, why they don't place greater emphasis on spreading the field out as much as possible is beyond me.  Obviously they are concerned with their defensive posture above all else, but if they wanted to win this, they have to, at some point play on terms that would advantage them.
   Halftime.

[SimpleCoach]

Just an update on the pass ratio analysis.  Again, my formatting has a lot to be desired, but the underlying spreadsheet is awesome!

BEST 15   
Passes   54
Bad Passes   6
Pass Ratio (Passes:Bad Passes)   8.40
Attack Ratio   40%
Passes per Minute   5.4
   
MIDDLE 23   
Passes   45
Bad Passes   8
Pass Ratio (Passes:Bad Passes)   5.73
Attack Ratio   42%
Passes per Minute   4.5
   
BOTTOM 72   
Passes   33
Bad Passes   9
Pass Ratio (Passes:Bad Passes)   3.50
Attack Ratio   28%
Passes per Minute   3.3
   
ALL AVERAGE - 110   
Passes   38
Bad Passes   9
Pass Ratio (Passes:Bad Passes)   4.42
Attack Ratio   35%
Passes per Minute   3.8

Couple things that has become clearer to me over the course of the last month watching games.  First off, I think the better the team is at moving the ball, over time, will wear out lesser opponents.  Second, in the top grouping there a couple of teams that may have moved the ball well statistically, but watching the game you realize they really didn't offer much more than possession in the back and just over midfield.  Three, the press, chase, run, run, run model all over the field doesn't last for 90 minutes.  It translates into long balls and bad passes.  Four, there are a handful of teams where I wonder why are they not better?  And then there are teams that I say to myself they are not THAT good.  And finally, as a general rule, I think most teams have spent so much time working on defensive shape and midfield support, that they have forgotten about forwards and have let their goal scoring com from luck, defensive errors and brute force.  I am not sure if I am missing it or not.

As far as my game reviews go, I may try a few without mentioning the teams so I can be a little more honest.  Don't know who reads these things and have issues with calling out players/coaches if they would deserve to be called out.  I get not everyone believes in brutal honestly in the soccer world.

[Another Mom]

If the W&L goalkeeper isn't the shortest player on the team, then he's the second shortest. Given the team has more than 3 backup keepers, it tells you something about the starter!

Besides the passing metrics,  I wonder if being reliant on one or two goal scorers might be a kind of weakness  (vs a team where the scoring is spread out among more players).

[Hopkins92]

And finally, as a general rule, I think most teams have spent so much time working on defensive shape and midfield support, that they have forgotten about forwards and have let their goal scoring com from luck, defensive errors and brute force.  I am not sure if I am missing it or not.

First off, I think it's good for you to put the teams out there. Lots of very honest analysis on here and unless I'm sorely mistaken, I don't there's ever been any "official" blowback. It is what it is. They're getting paid decently to coach a game. They can handle a little honesty.

Second, to the bullet above. Totally agree, I'd just add that a lot of those teams rely on the vagaries and lucky bounces of set-pieces, including a really strong desire to have a guy that chuck into the box on long throws.

[backheel18]

And finally, as a general rule, I think most teams have spent so much time working on defensive shape and midfield support, that they have forgotten about forwards and have let their goal scoring com from luck, defensive errors and brute force.  I am not sure if I am missing it or not.

First off, I think it's good for you to put the teams out there. Lots of very honest analysis on here and unless I'm sorely mistaken, I don't there's ever been any "official" blowback. It is what it is. They're getting paid decently to coach a game. They can handle a little honesty.

Second, to the bullet above. Totally agree, I'd just add that a lot of those teams rely on the vagaries and lucky bounces of set-pieces, including a really strong desire to have a guy that chuck into the box on long throws.

I agree with Hopkins that we all appreciate your analysis.

Second, from my days coaching, I do agree that many teams spend a great deal of time on defensive shape. I would also say that it can be very difficult to find and recruit goalscorers at this level. I have seen very many goalscorers turned to CBs or DMs or other spots at the higher levels. You would think that because of this more teams would spend time working on finishing. Just my observations.

[SimpleCoach]

Thanks for the kind comments @Hopkins92 and @Backheel18.  I did one game today from awhile back and came up with this.  One and only time that I run it through an Anonymizer Machine.

   Mauve lines up with seems like a back four, but the left back steps high into the midfield which tells me in possession they try to run a 3-4-3.
   Peach looks like it lines up in a 3-1-4-2.  Looks to create numbers in the center of the attack, especially if they can catch Mauve in transition.
   Again, I think the long ball off of kick off is the worst play in the game.  That said when you have players like Mauve #12 who jump into the ball and head it sideway, you can see what teams launch it.  The ball only goes 10 yards off his head when it should have gone at least 30 yards.  Who teaches players to head the ball this way?
   Peach #18 does well to settle a ball, tries to turn it back to keep possession, but plays a ball between two defenders and it lands at the feet of Mauve #27.
   Mauve #27, after winning the ball tries to drop it back for possession, not even a 5 yard pass and gives a ball that Peach #18 wins back.  Mauve #27 should have used his left foot but instead opts for the outside of his right foot.
   I get high energy at the start but am starting to think that maybe a tactic should be to purposely slow the ball down for 10 minutes.
   Mauve #31 has an opportunity to break the ball forward but instead passes it to Peach #25.
   The result leads to a goal.  Peach #7 plays a ball high to a Peach Center Forward, who heads the ball behind him.  The Mauve defender is late stepping to the Peach Center Forward.  The other center back isn't goal side and slow to react when his man gets the ball right down the middle.  He goes so far to reach in for the ball, but loses a step in the process, giving the Peach forward a clear shot on goal from 12 out and only the keeper to beat.  Mauve 0, Peach 1.
   Mauve #1 squared up on the shot from the forward.  Not sure that was the appropriate technique there.  If he had kept his feet tight and maybe got his body weight forward, he may have been able to make a play.  Or even by getting big he may have made it more challenging on the Peach forward.
   Mauve is so intent on pressing they forget about handling the ball.
   Mauve #1 can't punt the ball, especially when rushed.
   For all his work, Mauve #12 can't connect a pass.  Not to mention he seems to go where ever.
   Peach #6 Defender does good work chasing a ball down, but then telegraphs a ball down the line that gets blocked by Mauve #31.  Why he didn't trap the ball I have no idea.
   Peach #7 is solid in the midfield.
   Peach organized in the attack.  Two up top, one out wide, and three trailing.
   Mauve #27, right foot trapping ability is terrible.
   Peach #18 stays connect and steps high forcing Mauve #31 to drop back deep.
   Peach doing well to stretch out Mauve.  Mauve can't cope with the space defensively.
   Mauve #32 clears a ball into a Peach player, ball rebounds all the way to a forward who goes one on one with the keeper who comes up with a save.  Mauve #31, #32 and #28, are walking back 30 yards from behind the play.  Leaving 3 defenders on their own.  I would sub them out.
   Peach #27, righty, holds off his defender and acts as a good target man.
   Mauve #28, righty, is a midfielder who can't connect.
   Peach #25 acts as a holding mid.
   Mauve #32, righty has tried three passes into the middle and has missed all three leading to Peach counters.
   This isn't so much of Peach doing great things, they are just taking advantage of what Mauve is giving them.
   Peach #27 and #28? Backs to the goal do well playing off of each other, holding it up for midfielders to join in, or turning and taking on their defenders.  They have the liberty right now because Mauve have not adjusted to try and choke them out of plays.
   Peach sets up give and goes between the two center forwards and the outside mids.  Easy to do since Mauve don't track their man.
   Mauve #24?, lefty, from midfield, launches the ball over the goal on a free kick.  The line was at the 18.
   Mauve is trying to step it up, just have the ideas of a paper cup. 
   Mauve #12, righty will receive the ball and run across the field to try and line up a shot with his right.  Very rarely turns and faces.
   Left side for Mauve is the weak side, especially in the second half.  Mauve #25, Mauve #22, Mauve #9 when he shifts, can be turned or beaten.
   Peach defends corners at the six, with 9 players.  2 in the front, 3 in the middle, and 3 far post.
   Peach does well to transition through Peach #7 and Peach #25
   Peach #20? Righty, good ideas on attack.  Doesn't seem to defend much.  Hangs on the left half of the field.
   Mauve has 5 midfielders.  Only two do anything.  Mauve #6, #20, and Right mid are cones.  Stay in pressure and don't have the ideas to get out of it.

[SimpleCoach]

Tufts v Trinity
Trinity
Bias? – I don't know one and hate when games go behind a pay wall.

   21 minutes left in the first half.
   What a beautiful grass field.
   Not as fluid as Messiah ... not sure anyone is ... but Tufts dominate and move in possession very well.  Unlike Tufts I think they have a setting that has them push to goal, sometimes forcing it and leading to turnovers.  That instinct/desire/obsession with getting to goal, especially in the final third ... haven't seen from other teams.
   Trinity is just trying to manage the constant pressure on goal.
   Will say, Tufts is susceptible to the turnover and counter, but they do so well at swarming the turnover that Trinity can't cope with the lack of time and space.
   Meanwhile, Trinity has a free kick from 20 yards out, and instead of getting it on frame, they try some stupid play then ends up with Tufts have a goal kick, and Trinity without a shot on goal.
   I don't think Tufts likes playing when they haven't scored.  They have this continued urgency to score.
   Tuft's #5 is a beast in the middle of the field.
   I think if Trinity wants a result, they need to be real compact defensively, and counter quick.  The moment the counter doesn't go anywhere they should just get in their defensive shell.
   Trinity is doing a good job making it difficult on the Tuft's forward line from getting the ball easily.  Everything is either made into a 50/50 or they don't leave room for the forward to do anything with the ball.
   Tuft's left back is a menace.  Why they don't spring him forward more, I don't know why.
   On corner, Tuft's is organized and looks like they can be lethal.  #5 crowds the keeper then runs to the corner, 3 or 4 players spread between the 6 and 12, and one goes far post.  Trinity has to be on it's toes to keep track of it all.  Think the Trinity keeper should be a bit more assertive on some of them.
   I like Tufts #8 or #9, can't tell which number it is... the guy with the man bun.  He is all over the place.
   Halftime at 0-0.

[SimpleCoach]

Messiah v Lebanon Valley College
Messiah
Bias? – I think one is the best in the country and the other is good.

   5 minutes in and Messiah has had two great chances, both times denied by a couple if brilliant saves by the LVC keeper.
   Wow.  Run of play for Messiah in the first ten minutes.  LVC wins the ball and goes on a quick counter with a long ball out to the wing.  LVC #18 gets a back pass to the 18 and one times the ball and with a fantastic strike, hits the side net.  Messiah 0, Lebanon Valley 1
   Interesting to note that on the counter, if LVC #10 doesn't strike the ball, he had three team mates to his right who were running to goal.  Either one of them could have scored.
   Messiah is looking totally discombobulated after the goal.  Missing easy passes.  Another counter almost led to a second goal if not for a great save by the Keeper with Mullet.
   Supposedly its Homecoming and it looks crowded.
   Messiah needs to calm down and get a hold of the ball.  No need to panic.
   Messiah #5 is a good player.
   LVC is scary on the fast counter.  I mean very fast and very scary.  Really making a meal of the Messiah defensive posture.
   Announcers are saying LVC #18 had to come off cause he hurt himself on the celebration.
   LVC players are making some great runs through Messiah's defense and not being picked up.  If I were a gambling man, I would put $20 on LVC getting a second this half.
   Think they are having a crisis of confidence, but Messiah #12 is good.  Great playmaker out of the back.
   LVC not making it easy for Messiah to get through them.  So tight and challenge for everything.
   And Messiah equalizes on a cross to the far post where Messiah #23? was wide open to head down and put it past the keeper.  Messiah 1, LVC 1
   20 minutes left in the half.
   Messiah still struggling to connect out of the back.  Turnovers in some pretty awful spots.  Really imprecise.
   And now, on a corner, skips off a near post defender and the ball goes far post where a player taps it back to Messiah #22 who hits the ball top net.  Not a chance to stop that one.  Messiah takes the lead 2, LVC 1.
   Again, it's a theory, but full press for 90 minutes is not sustainable.  At some point you need to come up with some soccer.  Otherwise, you have to choose to attack or defend because you can't physically do both.
   What Messiah does so well is switching the point of attack.  Forces LVC to constantly shift to defend.
   Messiah #5 just hit a wonderful instep shot that banged off the cross bar.  He is a special kind of player.
   LVC looks like they are dragging now.  Think the fact that they have been working so hard for 35 minutes has cost them.
   Another corner, this time buried into the net by Messiah #9 from 6 yards out.  Messiah 3, LVC 1. 
   Soccer is a cruel mistress.  At one point you think you have this game in hand, and 20 minutes later, you are looking for the bus.
   Halftime.  Unless LVC has something in their bag of tricks, this is a tall mountain to climb.

[Hopkins92]

The pressing pressing pressing approach works enough that coaches will continue to employ it forever. It's very American and is tough to shake.

[SimpleCoach]

The pressing pressing pressing approach works enough that coaches will continue to employ it forever. It's very American and is tough to shake.

I know.  And there is definitely a place for it.  My point is that I have yet to find a team that can sustain it on both ends of the ball for 90 minutes.  Or at least that is my latest theory.  Trying to figure out how I can test for that.

[Hopkins92]

I mean, it's the biggest beef against US collegiate soccer is that it subverts the pathos of the game.... You put 11 guys out there and then see who holds on. Just changes a lot of of fundamental aspects of the game.

[SimpleCoach]

Washington v Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins
Bias? -  I like geese and blue jays.

   Much like a chess match.  Both teams trying to find the others weakness.
   Pretty even in the first 15 minutes.
   Johns Hopkins purposely holding the ball in the back, literally standing on the ball, trying to get Washington to step up and press, Washington isn't buying.
   Washington very compact and Johns Hopkins is not as fluid as they have been in previous games.   Also lack that outlet on the right wing because Washington isn't giving it to them.
   Very tight in the midfield for both teams.
   Washington keeper almost had a howler outside the box but decided to swat the ball with his hand and take the yellow instead of letting it get messier.
   Think Washington #3 is a pretty decent midfielder.  Sits deep but gets the ball moving.
   Will say when JHU connects in the midfield and can do some give and goes, they move fast.
   Think the Washington keeper could be a liability this game. Making some poor decisions on when to come out or not and struggles with balls into the box.
   And like that Johns Hopkins goes ahead.  Washington #22 tries to play the man instead of getting the ball, and JHU #5 takes the ball down the line.  Drops it to JHU#17 who is stepping into the box.  When two Washington defenders close him down he slots a ball to the 12.  The three defenders are all at the six.  And JHU #11 one times the ball that goes upper far post for the go-ahead goal.  Washington Keeper couldn't do a thing with it.  Washington 0, Johns Hopkins 1.
   Washington having a tough time getting the ball under control.  Trying to force it too much.  Just settle down.  Plenty of time on the clock.
   JHU keeper is pretty solid. Not afraid to come out for high balls and very secure in holding onto the ball.
   Not sure Washington can figure out how to stop Johns Hopkins through the midfield, nor how to get a clear look at goal.
   JHU #17 is very solid on the ball.  Can get through players to make a play out of nothing.  Plus he has cool hair.
   Halftime.  Don't think it was a particularly good game, and expected more out of Washington.

[SimpleCoach]

Gettysburg v Franklin & Marshall
F&M
Bias? – I've walked through the peach orchard and flown a kite.

   Confession.  Not a fan of Franklin & Marshall.  Think their whole strategy is to create and capitalize on mistakes.  For all the emails they send out about their "philosophy," I kind of expected more.  And will say, I don't think they are as good as what the rankings say.  There I said it.
   First 15 has been very chaotic.  Lots of ping pong, tennis, and the occasional foosball game.
   Long throw by F&M#24 into the box.  Gettysburg keeper comes out to punch but doesn't get very far.  Lands at an F&M players feet who from 12 drills a shot that the Gettysburg keepers saves, and the ball is subsequently cleared out.
   F&M purposefully play short in the back to stretch out Gettysburg.  When there is enough movement, they get the ball out wide to the outside backs (F&M #66) to try to drive the ball forward at that point. 
   F&M Keeper is solid coming off his line for balls in the air.  Very solid.
   F&M #66 and F&M #45 on the right side, connect well and are a handful for the Gettysburg defense.
   F&M does work the ball occasionally, especially what the ball is in the final third.  They are looking to get the ball swung in from the wing into the middle.
   Gettysburg is being patient on the attack and making the most of the few opportunities they have.
   F&M #20? takes a 25-yard shot that hits off the crossbar.  That was interesting.
   Some video issues?
   The Gettysburg orange numbers on a blackish/greyish jersey are hard to read.
   Gettysburg #13 with the long throw.  But the F&M keeper confidently grabs it in the air.
   And halftime.  Pretty even.