Straight Red Hat Trick: January 2009

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Holes in the Stanford Backline

Well, from everything I can read, the Stanford ladies are looking at losing 2 starting defenders and bringing back 2 experienced defenders. Thus Stanford are likely going to have to throw two freshmen out there; that is assuming they are going with four in the back.

They probably have the midfield to go with three in the back. That actually may be the best solution, since with they are so loaded in the attack SU could very well be the Gretzkey-era Edmonton Oilers (or, the Lemieux-era Pittsburgh Penuins) of the PAC come soccer season. That is to say, SU's best defense (accent on second syllable, we are talking soccer here) may be its offense. Winning 5-2, 6-3, and 4-0 worked fine for those hockey teams as they sauntered their way to multiple Stanley Cups. So Stanford, go ahead and plan to score 5 and 6 goals a game, and let the defense take care of itself. Oh, that also works for a certain South American selecao that shall remain nameless. I reall think SU can do this. They are loaded with lethal strikers and a-mids who link well together. And ther freshman strikers are no longer so green.

Remember, though, in a 3-back, 5-man midfield, you need speed AND endurance on the wings. Those wingers need to join the attack, get crosses in, run at people. They also need to get back and cover those flanks. That means being able to run fast and run fast tirelessly all day long. Fortunately, with the liberal college subsitution rules, the endurance part shoud be less of a problem.

SU may indeed *have* to rely on this strategy if even one of their experienced defenders goes down with an injury.

I have no problem with winning 6-5.