[cardfan77]

And that's a problem.  There's no "depth" to the threatening play from the Cardinal - at this point, it's all the forwards.  Defenses are collapsing into the penalty area, taking away space from Macario, Haley, and Smith, and daring the midfield to shoot from outside.  And they won't/can't punish them for it.  We've had many more tight one-goal games this season, and OT wins, because the number of threats on the field isn't as high, and defenses can concentrate on doubling and tripling Catarina and Madison, and lately Sophia.  I noticed in last week's game that the very well-prepared Toejam defense pretty much let our third midfielder (Breide, Goad, or whomever) have lots of space in the midfield, only trying to close them when they got near the top of the box.  We need Jordan, or Jaye, or someone to start hitting on some shots from 23-24 yards out, or at least making that area and themselves threatening (and not by hitting a shot 5 yards wide or that bounces three times before settling in the keeper's arms).



VG

This is where the team could use Michelle Xiao.  She is lethal from outside of the box.  It was a nice surprise to see her play last night even if it was just for few minutes.

[cardfan77]

And that's a problem.  There's no "depth" to the threatening play from the Cardinal - at this point, it's all the forwards.  Defenses are collapsing into the penalty area, taking away space from Macario, Haley, and Smith, and daring the midfield to shoot from outside.  And they won't/can't punish them for it.  We've had many more tight one-goal games this season, and OT wins, because the number of threats on the field isn't as high, and defenses can concentrate on doubling and tripling Catarina and Madison, and lately Sophia.  I noticed in last week's game that the very well-prepared Toejam defense pretty much let our third midfielder (Breide, Goad, or whomever) have lots of space in the midfield, only trying to close them when they got near the top of the box.  We need Jordan, or Jaye, or someone to start hitting on some shots from 23-24 yards out, or at least making that area and themselves threatening (and not by hitting a shot 5 yards wide or that bounces three times before settling in the keeper's arms).



VG

This is where the team could use Michelle Xiao.  She is lethal from outside of the box.  It was a nice surprise to see her play last night even if it was just for few minutes.