The national college soccer polls, ranking Stanford ahead of UCLA, are a synthesis of opinion. So what?
Stanford will need to be at their best to beat UCLA on the road.
UCLA will likely try to clog the middle with a high-pressure 3-5-2 or maybe even a 3-6-1 formation. The objective will be to force Stanford to bypass their midfield with long balls out of the back. UCLA can defend those long balls all day long and would look for the quick counter, having nullified Stanford's speed and tactical acumen.
Thus, Stanford will need to stay patient, play their game, and use their skill and creativity to unlock the UCLA defense. It may take most of the first hour or more to do it, but do it they can. Simply put, if Stanford gives up and resorts to bootball to overcome UCLA's inevitable midfield pressure they will not win this match.
Stanford will need to use speed and incisive runs on the flanks to stretch the field horizontally. They need their strikers and a-mids to *run at people*. They need to make UCLA foul in their defensive third. Sanford will need to make *judicious* use of long balls and through-balls up the middle from the midfield to stretch the field vertically, serving balls for O'Hara to run onto to terrorize the UCLA backline. The emphasis is of course on the word "judicious", since Stanford's main attack strategy will need to be playing the feet of ther strikers and a-mids and having them run at people, lay off precision passes, and shoot, shoot, shoot!
Defensively, Stanford needs to Pressure. The. Ball. One thing UCLA did with amazing regularity in their game against USC was to make lazy, off-target and often ill-advised passes which went straight to USC. It seemed like UCLA spent half the game passing the ball to USC. Fortunately for UCLA, USC spent at least that much time giving the ball right back to UCLA. I was amazed watching two elite sides making pass after pass after pass that lacked pace, precision, or both. With good pressure, this is something Stanford can exploit.
Other than horrific defensive mental errors, one other key reason USC lost to UCLA was USC simply took too much time to shoot in and near the box. Taking the extra touch to set up the perfect strike is nice in theory, but good defenders get in front and block it every time, which UCLA did with the exception of the goal they gave up. In womens' soccer there seems to be a general reluctance to one-timing or shooting on the full volley. USC blew several chances by foregoing clear volley opportunites inside the box in favor of taking extra time and teeing it up and shooting. Stanford, if you have a chance at a shot on the full or half volley in the box against UCLA, have a go. Dilly-dally and UCLA will close you down every time.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Ron, you hit the nail on the head.
Very good insight to Stanford's game.
I knew that you knew your soccer, but I didn't know how deep it truly was. Your right about using speed instead of bootball. Longball didn't work for them against UNC and what did was what they need to do. Placing a well placed long ball to the feet of Kelley who beat the goalie. Using Ali Riley's speed really worked well Friday(to get the ball to midfield and beyond). She's the fastest on the team and she shuts down many an attack. Using her to bring the ball up works better than what Kira the goalie tried all night against UNC. Kira had the ball headed back to her 90% of the time. I think the coach learned a lesson. Dan told me USC would be the more physical team but UCLA has the height. Either way Riley's dad thinks that the corner kick when the Card is defense will be crucial. Have to deny them many of those. One other parent said that he thinks the Achilles' heel for Stanford may be if Jenkins lets the ball or defender get behind her. There have been a few of those instances recently.
The teams healthy and are spreading the goals around incredibly well. All the forwards are producing. Noyala and Levin are scoring more than some of the forwards last year. But the team has to finish on its scoring opportunities.
I'm told the passing is much more noteworthy in person than on video(for whatever thats worth).
Have you thought of putting this on BIgSoccer? Very good thoughts. Cachundo might think your trying for his job.
Mind if I pass this on to my bro?
Jer
Jerry, sure, pass on to whomever you wish. You are right I do try to limit my comment on bigsoccer because its cachundo's thread...
One thing I noticed about the Stanford-UNC game was Stanford got visibly better as a team between the first and second halves. They had not played a team of UNC's calibre up to that point of the season, and its was an eye-opener especially for the freshmen. They adapted exceeding well.
The encouraging thing is Stanford has gotten better and better as the season has progressed.
The nex three games, especially the next game, are huge.
With the new WPS professional soccer league coming, Stanford may well have to concern itself with girls leaving early to play pro.
You´re right about them getting stronger as the game and season progresses. This was evident after the regulation expired against UNC. They had the momentum and the other team was back on their heels. My brother said it was eyeopening which team was more pumped. But of course, the Cardinal couldn´t close the deal.
Doesn´t look like it´s going to be televised or videoed..too bad.
Always enjoy your take.
Jer From Medellin ....no joke!
Post a Comment