Reign 2015 discussion

Which one? The BBC award or the W-League award

 

So I haven't posted my post game analysis yet so let's get on that shall we.

So this was the first game with out Rapinoe and Solo and to the trained eye, their absence was not apparent which I think is what everyone expected.

Defense
Like was mentioned above, the defense fortunately did not play a high line in this game which I think was the key to the win. Now this could be for three reasons:

1. Respect for the Spirit offense. I doubt this is the main reason because really whom do you fear most: Arod being fed by a great FCKC midfield who manage to defeat you in the championship or Dunn and unknown quantity Ordega being fed by a somewhat OK Spirit midfield. To me the first one wins every time and if Harvey can use the high line in that match, there is no reason why she couldn't use it in this match. Which brings me to my second reason.
2. Protect your new GK and make her as comfortable with the back line as much as possible. This was the first game for Kopmeyer and it make sense to have the defense not play too far up the field to make her as comfortable as possible. And that means not having to face 1-on-1 battles through out the match.
3. The third and also possible scenario is that Harvey may have come to the realization that the high line doesn't work and will abandon that tactic. The next match can confirm this theory.

Offense
As I have mention before, the offense for this team works best when they have space to operate. By not playing the defenders high, it created more space in the mid field and also stretched the opponents defenders thus making things easier. Dallstream who filled in for Rapinoe I thought did a really good job considering. She had two really good opportunities, one in each half to score. She also brought much needed speed to the offense. I thought she combined REALLY well with Little on the ground on the left flank. However she still can't cross. After watching her fail at this for three years now I have given up hope.

Injuries
Sad news to hear that Solaun have been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle. Hopefully this doesn't become a thing after Frisbie and now Solaun. We don't want to scare the kids.
If there is a bright side to this, we get one roster spot back so if they like they can sign someone. I really don't think we need to though.

Fishlock also took a knock and based on what Harvey said, it appears she extended her ankle. It happened when she tried to jump up for the ball but someone was standing on her feet. She was able to play through it but reports were that she was in crutches after the game and didn't even stay to sign autographs. I'm hoping this is not anything serious. Also, it there was a time to get hurt and rest, this is it because our next match is on May 9 and after that there isn't a league match until May 30. So that is 3 weeks off. The match against China is on May 22 but she doesn't have to play.

Individual player rating to follow.

 

Kopmeyer (A-): First thing first, she went to the right side of the field so that's a win right there. She also did well when called upon to do so. Made two really good saves but other than that she did really didn't have much to do.

Cox (B+): Nothing spectacular though she could have had two assists if Dallstream or Fishlock had finished one of her brilliant crosses. I'm not sure why Dallstream is not shadowing Cox all day to learn how to cross a ball that at the minimum stay in bounds.

Barnes (B): Quiet

Fletcher (B): Also quiet

Reed (B+): You can see the improvements in how she combines with Mathias since the first game.

Winters (A-): I thought Keelin had a really good match both defensively and offensively. While watching the match it hit me that she plays similar to Fellaini of manchester united. Other than their height, they both have really weird ways of tackling that always looks like it is going to be a foul.

Fishlock (B+): OK game for Fishlock by her standards. Her goal was really good combination play with Little. I wish Harvey had subbed her at half time though so as not to aggravate the injury. Several times during the game she was seen clutching her ankle. We all know if it was up to her she would have continue to play till the end.

Dallstream (A-): Horrendous crosses aside, I thought this was one of her best matches. I was shocked at the speed and precision when combining with Little at the beginning of the game. At one point I thought Naho was out there. She brings speed to the offense on that side of the pitch. I really wanted her to get that one goal but alas it was not to be.

Little (A): It is interesting the role that Little is playing now. Last season it is true that most teams did not know what to expect in regards to her hence things were easier. This season though she consistently getting double or triple teamed so she has to work extra hard for everything she does. I think in the first few games of the season this was getting to her and she appeared visibly upset at times. She also looked to be forcing the issue possibly to get that first goal. Maybe Harvey had a talk with her about that or she came to that realization by herself but it appears in this game that her focus was primarily on creating for others first and foremost. If she can settle more into this role and not worry too much about duplicating her scoring success from last year, I believe the team will be in a better position.

Mathis (A): The more games she plays the more it looks like she and the team are getting on the same page. I have mentioned this before but one of the things I like about her game is that not only does she have speed but she is not afraid of taking on defenders. This is something we missed from Leroux last season when she played on the wing because defenders knew that if they just remain in front of her, she was always going to pass the ball back in the middle to Little or Fishlock. Mathias provide the solid threat of getting by defenders on speed, attacking the end line and crossing, or beating the defender inside.

Yanez (B+): Had an OK game goal aside.

Brooks I thought had a really good showing when she came in. Harvey was terrible for bringing in Corsie for literally 30 seconds.

Finally, I can't stress how much I miss the commentating duo from last season. The duo we have this season sounds like they are auditioning for a schweaty balls sketch on NPR. I guess I should not complain too much because at least they are not actively annoying.

Edited: I was just watching the latest Fletcher video on youtube and it trigger my memory of a particular play she made last week on Dunn which at the time I thought was pretty awesome defending. At one point Dunn had the step for a 1-0n-1 and Fletcher match her speed for speed and prevented her from running past her or even making a cross. That play resulted in a goal kick. For that alone I bump up her rating from B to B+

 

Speaking of fishlock and her ankle injury, here is an update:

Having recovery capabilities such as @RecoveryPump , HydroWorx & intense treatment from @Jdubbwilliams7 is speeding that ankle RIGHT UP 💃!

— Jessica Fishlock MBE (@JessFishlock) May 6, 2015

 

So normally I don't post youtube videos but this is a special exception.



In this clip we have Fletcher acknowledging that in the previous games they had played the high line which created space behind the defenders and they have been working on creating that. Praise Jesus.

Now the question is did the defenders just naturally gravitated up the pitch by their own accord or where they told to do so?

Also was that Moscato I spotted?

 

Man has this place being quiet lately.

Anyways, the team have looked good in the last couple of matches. That will be put to test against FCKC tonight, though we can't judge much from that encounter as FCKC certainly does not have the best and influential players.

A bit off topic, Nogy got married and I saw a youtube clip from the team referring to her as Mariah Bullock. I wonder if there will be a name change on her jersey.