Athletica vs. Sol, Wednesday 24th - pre/in/post

Okay, so obviously the loss at home to WSH was a huge setback. But we have another game only four days away, and a tough one at that, since LA is basically unstoppable. Should there be any changes in our strategy from the WSH game? If so, what, and if not, why?
I feel really unsure about the rest of the season now. A tie against WSH would have been SO much better. Now we're facing a tough five-game streak, probably the toughest we've seen this year, with two LA games. We'll have time to recover after this, but I don't know if we'll be close enough to the top so said recovery actually means something.

I'm still freaking dehydrated from the game we just saw!

Okay, strategy...I think that unfortunately, you need a fast back line against Los Angeles, so I don't know about putting Tanc in there or Larsson for that matter. I think you almost have to go with Weber, McNeill, Ellertson, and Logterman. Midfield, I need to start seeing something more out of Woz or I'm thinking we should give Francielle a shot. I certainly wouldn't change Fletcher, Cinalli, or Chalupny. I liked the fact that Chalupny was much more involved with the offense against Washington. Forwards, there is no choice unless you move Chalupny or Cinalli forward. Welsh and Aluko, it has to be.

LA counterattacks quickly so the mids have got to be alert and get back to support the back line. I doubt if set pieces in the air are going to do much good, because Falk is back there just waiting to head anything clear. We just need to control possession as much as possible and take every opportunity to shoot. LeBlanc can be beaten, you just can't squander chances like we did in the first game against LA. I would argue against a lot of overlapping runs since it puts are outside defenders out of position and I just don't think you can chance that against LA. But the wings have got to do a lot. Cinalli, Chalupny, and Woznuk are going to be the key. They have to support Aluko better than they did in the 1st half of today's game. Too many times in the 1st half it was Aluko against 3 defenders with no one to pass to.

Even though I'm going to the game tomorrow, I'm off Wed so I hopefully will be there.

Does Barcellos prefer a particular formation or have we been shifting throughout the games?

He plays primarily a 4-4-2. Lately, it seems that the midfield is more of a diamond shape, with Fletcher at defensive mid, Woznuk on one wing. Cinalli and Chalupny roam a little more. It hasn't varied much, although I think earlier in the year it was flatter across the midfield.

I hope you can make it, too.

What time does the Army start to file in? Since I have an hour 1/2 to drive I want to make sure I leave on time to make it for (non-tailgating tailgating) before the game.

I mentioned it earlier in the season, but feel the need to bellyache again. One of our offensive problems is the left side As in - there ain't nobody there, kids. Rush Limbaugh gets more support from the left than Athletica.

Lori is the only player to my knowledge that can use the left foot, but she has free reign to go wherever she wants and typically ends up in the middle. Daniela spent a lot of time drifting left - both her goals were from the left side of the field. I agree Fletcher has been in the defensive mid role and stays home in the middle of the field. Wozzy is always in the middle and literally would pass up a tap in on an open goal with her left...just to run around to her right (watch her sometime she has an open shot on her left).

This team regularly has 3 midfielders in the center of the field. You could literally throw a grenade on the left and not hit a soul. Spacing? Not so much. The creation and utilization of space is lacking. Our idea of space is "Everything in front of Aluko". Notice how many times opposing players are attacking in space and spreading StL thin across the flanks while Athletica's attack is often a slow moving scrum of short meaningless passes in the middle with 5 players around the ball. How many "leg-breaker" passes do we see as these players are all operating within 6 yards of each other? Lori works hard - - but a lot of times she works too hard trying to take players on in the middle of the field regardless her position. I feel like my high school coach screaming "get your ass on the touchline and stay there!" Its part of the reason the long ball to Aluko seems to be the only thing that works. Its the only way we have of opening up the attack and spreading the defense. I notice Cinalli shading a little left, and would love to see more of it.

For those of you at last game - think about how many times there was a push up the right or the middle of the field. How many sorely needed far post runs on the left? Yeah....none. How many crosses from the right that find nothing but pasture out there? Yeah....plenty. Logterman wont be making many overlapping runs as there is no one to drop back to cover or for her to overlap. They are seriously playing on 2/3 of the field.

I would imagine we see the same thing tomorrow night v L.A.

re: flamepruf, since it seems I've been ninja'd
It can vary; since moving to SP, we've hung out in the parking lot starting an hour before gametime and moved into the stadium about a half hour before.

As far as the Army goes, weekday nights are going to dampen the pregame a bit. Rokagrl is now a member of the 8-5 working class, so she probably won't get there as early. Since we can't tailgate and a lot of the people can't get there early, I doubt if I get there real early. Three Wednesday games really sucks.

Far/back post run? What are those? Well, you can't very well have a back post run, when there is only one runner and she has the ball. I guess I should take that back, because Cinalli's goal was sort of.

So our eight goals have been, two center field runs (Aluko), two rebound/lose balls both on attacks from the left side (Aluko, Daniela), one own goal on a left side run (Aluko), one corner kick (Chalupny), one cross/back side finish (Cinalli), one laser shot (Daniela). No freebies off of penalty kicks and only one off a set piece on a fluke play. We have to be the worst in the league on set pieces.

Actually, both of our goals in the Chicago game were from the left side and we've scored more from the left. I think I would probably try Francielle in Woz's place.

But with Los Angeles, it won't matter. As long as they have Marta, I don't think we can beat them. And unfortunately, that's what it comes down to.

thanx Siberian,

I'll plan accordingly. I'll be riding my bike up (since I hate anything with 4 wheels) so I should be easy to spot..lol

Their last match against Gold Pride...jeez...Marta had so many chances or set up other chances... I'm surprised that score was not more.

Glad you guys figured out when we would be there.

I'm planning on getting there at 6. *crosses fingers* We will enter either at 6:30 or when there are enough people to carry in the stuff, whichever probably comes first.

Marta does present a major quandary. Athletica needs to send more players forward to support Aluko, but if they do that they are vulnerable to counterattack and Marta's speed. Then if they concentrate on Marta, that leaves other players wide open (especially Abily, who on most of her goals hasn't had a defender within 5 yards of her). It would be nice if we had Daniela who is a threat to score anywhere in the attacking third.

It's kind of funny that Saint Louis has a reputation for being a physical team. That reputation came from one nationally televised game and the babblings of JH. Since Athletica has only been on television twice, most people have only seen them play two or three times (except us of course). Athletica is currently the only team that does not have a player on the cautions list, being close to suspension. THE ONLY TEAM! Maybe we're not being physical enough. The list...

One caution away from suspension:
Anita Asante, Sky Blue 3
Chioma Igwe, Chicago 3

Two cautions away from suspension:
Sonia Bompastor, Washington 2
Shannon Boxx, Los Angeles 2
Carrie Dew, Gold Pride 2
Formiga, Gold Pride 2
Brittany Klein, Chicago 2
Christine Latham, Boston 2
Kelly Parker, Sky Blue 2
Kelly Smith, Boston 2
Abby Wambach, Washington 2

Were it not for so many other weapons, I believe I'd just man-mark Marta every time she crossed the midfield stripe.

I'm beginning to call Abily "the Garbage Man" (or is that garbage person?). That girl scores more trash and half-chances than anyone in the league. That sorry "she might have touched it" trash last week that the keeper was actually expecting her to redirect and she basically fanned on but gets credit for the goal, chipped balls, redirections in an open goal, loose balls that fall to her feet..... All I know for certain is she is always in the right place at the right time, and never fails to convert. Thats handy to have on a team that creates so many chances

Players who are unavailable for this game due to injury (according to the WPS roster report):

Los Angeles: Franko, Zerboni, Henderson

Saint Louis: Cross, Daniela

Franko is a starting center back, but they played the first part of the seaon without her. Zerboni has been playing more as the season has worn on, but probably not a big factor for this game. Henderson is the backup keeper which won't make a difference unless LeBlanc gets hurt.

Cross hasn't been playing too much lately, although she does give us depth on defense.

LA's traveling squad?????

I'm guessing (starters in bold):

Goalkeepers: Karina LeBlanc, Brittany Cameron

Defenders: Stephanie Cox, Allison Falk, Keri Sanchez, Manya Makoski, Johanna Frisk

Midfielders: Camille Abily, Shannon Boxx, Ally Wagner, Aya Miyama, Liz Bogus

Forwards: Marta, Han Duan, Katie Larkin

All Purpose: Brittany Bock

I'm guessing Frisk makes the trip over Sari, because the Sol are short a defender. Makoski has played a lot of midfield, but a lot of that has been because Wagner has been injured quite a bit. I'm also guessing they move Bock back to center back, with Franko out. She has been playing forward lately. Larkin also started a game at outside back, but that's not where LA is short.

I would like to see Barcellos make a change, but I doubt if that will happen...

------------------Solo------------------

Weber----McNeill------Ellertson---Logterman

----------------Fletcher----------------
Woznuk--------Chalupny----------Cinalli

---------Aluko----------Welsh-----------

Problem is: she is so fast. Man marking might help on the first touch but if someone passes into open space ... worse I realized at the last match that Han Duan is pretty quick, too.

Loosing your (imo #1) key player is always crucial. So far our Ladies (and Barcellos) have adopted very well to this situation. Still I`d say it is Athletica`s defense that has granted the success and it will stay that way. We are "doomed" to minimize our opponents` opportunities and put faith on Hope.

Well.... USMNT pulled a 2-0 shocker over Spain in the Confed Cup earlier today.... Here's hoping the upsets continue! =-)

Upset is an understatement. Two miracles would probably be more accurate. Game time temperature is supposed to be around 90 although there are some storms in the area, so it could cool off a little.

Um, Athletica needs a finisher. I really like Welsh but she comes close but not in the net.

Glad to see Hanks score a goal.

Great game. Poor finishing, but a great game. This Athletica team can play with anyone. Too bad "anyone" brought along Marta this evening.

Kudos to Hanks with a ripping shot. Bit fortunate that LeBlanc couldnt handle it. Too bad the Soccer Gods didnt give this girl some wheels to go with the big shot.

Props to our pal Wozzy for being all over the field and playing some aggressive attacking soccer. Maybe she read my post from earlier and decided to have a go with the left foot....and promptly rang it off the score board 40 yards away.

I dunno if it was discussed before the game, but everyone in green was trying to drop the hammer from 30 yards out tonight. Aluko was shooting like a blind pissed off postal worker. Good spacing out there with the attack coming on all fronts for the first time in weeks. I really like the ability and willingness Logterman has shown pushing up the wing. It was going to cause us problems vs the LA counter, but it had to be done. Her arrival has changed the complexion of the offense. Will be interesting to see her and Cinalli on that left side going forward.

I thought Lori had a rough game tonight with a lot of poor touches.

Oh, and Kia McNeill is a stud.

Well, I don't know how we could have dominated the game much more than we did. But that doesn't get you three points, scoring the most goals does. Between the chances we blew and the set pieces we blew and LeBlanc standing on her head a couple of times, we lost the game. At about the 65 minute mark or so, we had just earned a corner and I looked at the LA players and they all looked half dead. They were sucking air. I even saw Cox get beat on a play, and she looked worn out. But then, as usual, Marta rescued the day by scoring the 2nd goal. There were probably only two short stretches where LA had some advantage, one was near the end of the first half for 5 minutes or so and 2nd time was immediately before and for a few minutes after the 2nd goal. That was it. Han Duan's goal was a great individual effort.

The difference in the game was LeBlanc, Marta, and the one great effort by Han.

I don't know what the official crowd was, but it actually might have been a slight bit better than Saturday. One side was not completely full, but I thought much fuller than Saturday. The other side didn't have a lot of people because it was in the sun and looking into the sun early in the game.

Great effort, great to outplay the 1st place team that badly, but all it is, is another loss. And when we look back two months from now, it will be this game and the Freedom game over the weekend that we have to be kicking ourselves for.

Edit: And my apologies to Ms. Hanks and Ms. Woznuk. Woz did have an excellent game, far and away her best of the year. Hanks scored the goal and gave us a nice spark off the bench. She darn near set up the 2nd goal late in the game. She headed a ball that Aluko barely got beat to the ball by LeBlanc and then KK fumbled it for just a split second but not quite long enough for Aluko to get a good swipe at it.

It's all about puting the ball in the back of the net... you don't get points for dominating a game or artistic impressions.


Although this should give the Athhletica confidence goin into their next game.

Set pieces were not a strong point tonight. Either too long or behind the net. Personally I think their trying to play it too close. I'd prefer to see them kick outside/edge of the 6 box and make the GK have to come out some.

Oh well, still enjoyed myself and glad to contribute to the Army tonight.

Tom Timmerman's story on the game with post-game comments...

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sp...357550A3A81140BC862575E0001345CD?OpenDocument

In the words of Jorge Barcellos..."We missed the goal almost from inside the goal."

I couldn't have said it better.

Aside from Athletica controlling the action and looking far more dangerous in attack, I hope this game brings a lot of fans back who might have just caught their first game. Midway through the second half, a group of little girls got the "Here we go Athletica - Here we go!" chant going, and most of the crowd ended up on its feet for the final 5 minutes. Definitely refreshing to see the crowd into it. Haven't heard bleacher stomping since the LA game at Hermann. Way to go - now go tell a couple friends and bring them out next time.