I really don't like taking such a point of view on teams I like, but I thought I would try it.
If I were the coach of a team opposing Stanford, what strategy would I have my players execute in order to win? Well, here are the keys, as I see them.
1) Have my two best man-marking d-mids tag-team shadow KO. Cover her like a wet blanket. Deny her the ball. Force her to retreat well into her defensive half to get the ball. When one member of the d-mid tag-team gets tired, and she surely will, sub her out and bring in the other half of the tag-team to keep fresh legs out there. The thing about college soccer is you can be subbed out and then come back in the next half. That means KO will be marked by effectively 4 sets of fresh legs through the course of the game. Allowing KO to line up against an isloated defender to run onto early balls out of midfield or the back MUST BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS (within the bounds of sporsmanship). she will GET THE ball AND SHE will BURY IT. an-marking by the d-mid will allow the defender to back off a few paces.
2) If job #1 gets done, that means part, and I emphasize the word PART of job 2 is done, and job #2 is what to do about Christen Press. CP, if I have interpreted the film correcly, is more service-dependent and a bit more of a pure forward than is KO. If you deny KO the ball, that is less service for CP. However, CP can run out of the midfield with the ball at her feet, take on defenders and score. She will have to be zone-pressured. You can't man-mark everybody. WATCH OUT for her diagonal runs. MF's will have track back, and centerbacks will have to step up. Or be eviscerated.
3) Try to force SU's other striker into long range shots. Force everything wide, and NO CLEARANCES UP THE MIDDLE. Get them out, out, out of bounds, into the upper deck or into the next county if you have to.
4) Offensively. Play fast, play to feet, and run, run, run at the central defense. There are seams to be found for the diligent, assuming you can keep the ball.
5) HOWEVER -- play too much of a south-north game and you are toast. Playing too direct means giviong Stanford too much possession. If there is no place to go, then play a back or square ball. But for Pete's sake keep the ball or you will be sorry. Switch the POA, play back all the way to the keeper if need be, but keep the ball.
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Ron,
Interesting view on what it would take. I'm out here in Santa Clara w/ Olivia and Daniel. Last night's game was a blast to watch. They played well in first half and USC had two great chances to score. Close call. Then the 2nd half started. What an explosion of power. The Card has gobs of depth and talent. Kelley had another great night. Two goals and an assist. 11 points in the last two games. The Card had 28 shots to 6. The picture of her on the Stanford women's soccer website is after her second goal and rushing over to the Men's waterpolo team along the fence. Great picture.
The Card passes the ball so well. Their two freshmen defensive players are playing like juniors or seniors. My bro says that the central Defender, a frosh, can be Stanford's best defensive player, ever! Stay tuned. They have what it takes to win it all, but will they?
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