P/I/P, Match P3: Revs @ ORL, Sun 11/29/20 3:00p [R]

Discussion in 'New England Revolution' started by edcrocker, Nov 28, 2020.

  1. edcrocker

    edcrocker Member+

    May 11, 1999
    On Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Union, the Revs played well and notched their most important win of the season, and perhaps their most important win in some time. So, assuming all the Revs’ players who started against Philly on Tuesday night are healthy, it would be a good idea for Bruce Arena to start the same line-up against Orlando on Sunday that he did against Philly. So, the line-up would be this:

    ------------------------------------------------Turner-----------------------------------------


    Buchanan------------------Farrell--------------------------Kessler----------------Jones


    ----------------------------------Polster-------------------Caldwell---------------------------


    ------Gil----------------------------------------Bou-------------------------------------Bunbury


    --------------------------------------------------Buksa-----------------------------------------------


    There’s a good chance Orlando will start the following line-up tomorrow:

    -----------------------------------------------------Rowe--------------------------------------------


    Kyle Smith-------------------Antonio Carlos---------------Jansson-------------Kamal Miller


    -------------------------------------Rossell----------------------Urso------------------------------


    Mueller------------------------------------------------------Mauricio Pereyra --------------------


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nani------


    ------------------------------------------------Dike------------------------------------------------------



    1. Orlando in a hybrid 4-4-2/4-2-3-1

    Against NYCFC, Orlando was listed on mlssoccer.com as starting in a 4-4-2 with Daryl Dike and Nani as the two forwards. Here is the way the line-up was presented:

    https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-11-21-orlando-city-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc/lineup

    However, Orlando’s Uruguayan Designated Player Mauricio Pereyra—who played seven seasons for the strong Russian club Krasnodar—often played centrally (rather than on the left wing), and Nani often played as a left-winger. Pereyra leads Orlando with 8 assists. Here is a link to a youtube video that includes the very start of the match between Orlando and NYCFC:



    As you can see, Nani is on the left wing. But against NYCFC, Nani didn’t play as a pure left midfielder. He often stayed forward and drifted right around Daryl Dike. So, if Pereyra drifts into the middle and Nani doesn’t get back on defense, then Kamal Miller, who probably will start at left back, could be vulnerable on Orlando’s left flank. Miller seems to have good speed, but he’s inexperienced (this is only his second season in the league). Maybe the Revs can exploit his side with Carles Gill and Tajon Buchanan.


    2. Be aware of Orlando’s speed on the wing

    In the 4th minute of the Revs’ 2-0 win against Philly, Philly had a goal kick. DeJuan Jones went pretty far forward to challenge Alejandro Bedoya in the air to try to win the goal kick. The ball went over Jones’ head and eventually got on the foot of Brenden Aaronson. So, Scott Caldwell was left with a footrace with Aaronson. Caldwell, who has mediocre speed, was beaten by Aaronson down the flank. Aaronson then fed the ball to a wide-open Jamiro Montero, who almost scored. Here’s a link to a video of the play:

    https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/m...s-new-england-revolution/details/video/250005

    If Aaronson’s pass to Montero had been a little less bouncy and/or Montero’s shot had been more composed, then the Revs would have been down 1-0 just four minutes into the game. That could have completely changed the complexion of the game. DeJuan Jones got too far forward on the play. It’s important that he not leave Caldwell isolated on the Union’s fast players.

    Moreover, Orlando City also has some fast players, including Chris Mueller, Nani, Daryl Dike and Kamal Miller. So, it’s important for the Revs not to leave Scott Caldwell on an island with one of these players. For instance, at least early in the game, it’s critical for DeJuan Jones and Tajon Buchanan to be careful not to get too far forward when Orlando has a clear opportunity to counter-attack, for instance, when the ball is right near the half-line and Orlando could recover it at any moment. Although Jones and Buchanan can stay with any of Orlando’s players in a sprint, Caldwell, Matt Polster and Andrew Farrell might struggle to do so.

    Nani and Mueller are good dribblers. The Revs should be committed not to get dribbled around by them. Give ground if you have to and slowly close down the space. But don’t let Nani and Mueller simply circumnavigate them.


    3. Defending Set Pieces

    All season the Revs have struggled to defend set pieces. Against Philly, they again had a difficult time defending one of them. In the 64th minute, the Union had a free kick about 30 yards from the Revs’ box. The Revs completely lost their marks on about three Union players, including Kacper Przybylko. Przybylko should have scored. Here’s a link to the play:

    https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/m...s-new-england-revolution/details/video/250041

    Przybylko likely was Tajon Buchanan’s man. Although Buchanan does not have a lot of experience playing right back, it’s important for him to stay goalside of his man when defending set pieces. Buchanan is 6’0” and seems to have good leaping ability. But he’s not going to win a header if he is behind the play.

    Interestingly, on the set piece on which the Revs were scored upon against Montreal in the Revs’ first playoff game, the Revs did pretty well on the ball into the box. But then they lost Romell Quito on the second ball. Here is a link:

    https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/m...ution-vs-montreal-impact/details/video/249482

    The Revs have to stay alert until the play is dead.

    When defending free kicks, the Revs have to decide whether to play a high line and try to trap Orlando's players offside or simply stay goalside of their men. It's not an easy choice, because it's risky to stay goalside of your man in such a way that you back up all the way to your own goal line. At the same time, it's better safe than sorry. When in doubt, stay goalside and try to beat your man in the air. It's problematic relying on the referee's assistant to call a player offside. It's probably less risky to rely on the Revs' players to win the ball in the air. The Revs have a number of players who are good in the air.


    4. Daryl Dike

    I don’t know that much about Daryl Dike. But I have a friend who followed him when he was in high school in Oklahoma. They lived in the same city. My friend says Dike is not just big and fast. But he is big and fast. At mlssoccer.com, he’s listed at 220 pounds (https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/daryl-dike), which might be an exaggeration and which is very big for a pro soccer player, especially one who is 6’ 2”. I’d say it’s too big. But whatever he actually weighs, he carries his weight pretty well on the field, at least at the MLS level.

    I don’t really know his strengths and weaknesses that well. But the Revs should be aware of his ability to get on the end of through balls. He’s not Jan Kohler. He has good speed.

    And the Revs should mark him closely on crosses. He’s good in the air. And he’s good at muscling defenders out of the way to get enough space to win a header.
     
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  2. swedust

    swedust Member+

    Aug 30, 2004
    I have not seen a single game of Orlando City all year -- thanks for that in-depth background info!
     
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  3. BERich

    BERich Member+

    Feb 3, 2012
    New England
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I watched Orlando vs Columbus a couple of weeks back. Orlando with Nani moves the ball very quickly. I'm not sure how far up the field our backs will get in the offensive 3rd. This means our DP's will have to have an exceptional game in order for us to score. It's going to be tough, but on the bright side...it's a road game!
     
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  4. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Come on Revs! Get it done today!!
     
  5. edcrocker

    edcrocker Member+

    May 11, 1999
    You're welcome.

    I'm worried that, in today's game, the Revs' outside backs won't get involved enough in the attack, where they can be very helpful. For instance, consider Tajon Buchanan's goal against Philly in Friday’s playoff game.

    It's important that the Revs’ outside backs not get too pinned back. One way to avoid that is to have Henry Kessler and Andrew Farrell be prepared to cover for the outside backs if the outside backs get far forward and Orlando gets the ball on their flanks in Orlando's attacking third. Kessler seems to have good speed, and Farrell has okay speed and is a solid tackler.

    Let me use an example. Here again is a link to the near miss that Philly’s Jameiro Montero had against the Revs on Friday night:

    https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/m...s-new-england-revolution/details/video/250005

    On the play, Henry Kessler gets beaten in the air by Kacper Przybylko. If Kessler had not gone so far forward to try to win the header against Przybylko, he might have been able to chase down Brenden Aaronson. As mentioned, Kessler has surprisingly good speed. But Kessler went so far forward to challenge Przybylko that he took himself out of the play. If he had played more conservatively, then Scott Caldwell wouldn't have been left in a footrace with Aaronson.

    In today's game, I hope Kessler and Farrell are mindful of their defensive responsibilities. One advantage of their not getting too far forward is that there will be more cover for Buchanan and Jones if they get into the attack.
     
  6. sean'o

    sean'o Member

    Nov 6, 2013
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    #6 sean'o, Nov 29, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2020
    At 10 mins., Bunbury appears to be having one of his games - ineffective on defense and passing where there’s no other Rev nearby
     
  7. firstshirt

    firstshirt Member+

    Bayern München
    United States
    Mar 1, 2000
    Ellington, CT / NK, RI
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Holy crap 2-0 to the good guys
     
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  8. firstshirt

    firstshirt Member+

    Bayern München
    United States
    Mar 1, 2000
    Ellington, CT / NK, RI
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Have to say Buchanon has a Dempsey like swagger to him. More and more a fan of his every game
     
  9. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Great 1st half minus a few of the terrible defensive breakdowns at back but this is a tough Orlando team.
     
  10. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Wow a red card for Orlando!
     
  11. Tea Men Tom

    Tea Men Tom Member

    Feb 14, 2001
    Orlando becoming unglued - excellent.
     
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  12. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    No one should be arguing that call. Clear red. Studs up.
     
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  13. firstshirt

    firstshirt Member+

    Bayern München
    United States
    Mar 1, 2000
    Ellington, CT / NK, RI
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Straight red! That was dirty
     
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  14. Tea Men Tom

    Tea Men Tom Member

    Feb 14, 2001
    Not sure what these knuckleheads are arguing about - tackle was a straight red.
     
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  15. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Yup Pereyra should be pissed at himself.
     
  16. Craig P

    Craig P BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 26, 1999
    Eastern MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It wasn't even a play on the ball. He was attacking the leg all the way.
     
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  17. sean'o

    sean'o Member

    Nov 6, 2013
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    At 65 mins., yes, Orlando’s going for the prize fight. Maybe Nani will get 2nd yellow for aggressive / unsportsmanlike. BUT, Revs offense gone flat. Too much Orlando possession. Maybe Gil, Buchanan or Bou can deliver the coup de grace... and Rowe will deliver better than Bunbury...
     
  18. firstshirt

    firstshirt Member+

    Bayern München
    United States
    Mar 1, 2000
    Ellington, CT / NK, RI
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Stupid!!!!!!!
     
  19. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    What a save!!!!
     
  20. firstshirt

    firstshirt Member+

    Bayern München
    United States
    Mar 1, 2000
    Ellington, CT / NK, RI
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Turner!!!!!@
     
  21. Tea Men Tom

    Tea Men Tom Member

    Feb 14, 2001
    Turner continues to be a stud.
     
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  22. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Turner has melons.
     
  23. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Orlando completely unraveled now
     
  24. firstshirt

    firstshirt Member+

    Bayern München
    United States
    Mar 1, 2000
    Ellington, CT / NK, RI
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not playing like they are up a man
     
  25. NewLaw83

    NewLaw83 Member+

    Jun 3, 2015
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Yeah its a little nerve wracking at the moment.
     

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