Coach’s Corner
Seattle Reign FC @ Sky Blue FC Preview – May 9, 2015 4PM PDT
Photos by Vanya Tucherov
The Seattle Reign FC opened the season with a goal barrage at home and a 5-1 win. Two matches on the road led to zero points out of six, being shutout in one of those two games, and ten days to prepare for a home match to get on track. The result of the return home was a solid 3-1 win and a noticeable sense of relief.
But, what did we really learn from this first stretch of four games? The Reign got all six of six home points and none of six on the road. The bookend wins of that series of games and the road struggles in between pose as many questions as were answered.
Scoring goals, in general, has not been a huge problem. Goals have come from a variety of scorers and positions as well as from run of play and set pieces. Not scoring in one game against a good team on the road in a close one nil game can simply be a one off, but if it keeps happening a pattern of that sort could be troubling. The Reign has tended to dominate possession, not really changing tactics whether home or road, and so the goals could come. Goals change games, as Coach Laura Harvey often says, and perhaps an early goal here or there on the road could alter how teams bunker down and counter.
Perhaps more troubling is the lack of defensive shutouts through four games. On the road, the counters came over and over and basically generated all of the goals against. At home, the two goals against have both come from little combinations and shots just inside the post that barely squeezed in. Both Hope Solo and Haley Kopmeyer have generally seemed in control. However, both home goals have come in the second half after the Reign have gone up two nil. In both home games the visitors have turned it up after going down two nil. Also, the Reign have responded and quickly grabbed back a third goal.
The four goals on the road have pretty much all been scored from counters. The tactical tendency seems to be to attempt to absorb Seattle possession, keep defenders back, and attempt fairly direct counters with speed as opposed to numbers. Both road opponents went direct to the counter with success. Seattle needs to adjust to and prevent that or teams will keep that approach. It was a bit surprising that Washington did not do that at Seattle, instead trying to out possess Seattle and work their attacks slowly. There were a few good opportunities and they got one goal, but Kopmeyer made a number of solid saves and did not appear phased despite the goal, especially when the offense got back on track with the third goal.
Seattle is without two starters due to world cup duty, but all teams are affected, so that should be a push. Given the play of Seattle’s bench, losing two starters has not seemed too harsh. However, there is a possible third starter missing. Will Jess Fishlock play? Fishlock gutted through a clearly painful ankle/heel problem in the second home game, but left the field on crutches. One has to imagine if available at all she will play, even if less minutes, given how tough she is.
Should the Reign falter against Sky Blue FC, the home pitch beckons, but there is a three week wait before the May 30th home league match. Anything less than a point will be a long three weeks. The match in three weeks? The Chicago Red Stars, a team that has already defeated them this season on the road.
The Reign are a very good team. They brought back the bulk of the roster from a season where they took the Shield and played in the final. The additions they have made are solid and counter the roster losses they have suffered. 2015 is already proving to be an interesting season. But, ultimately, a team is its record.
