At this stage in the proceedings we would normally be posting a report card on the individual players. We have chosen to skip that this time around. First, because this was an all-around team effort. Second, because under the circumstances the entire squad deserves an A. Playing on short rest (and even shorter than normal given the kickoff time) with extensive travel, necessary lineup rotation, and missing one of the team’s best defenders (who, for better and worse, will only play one more game for the Three Sparks) and facing a top-three team in the Western Conference all made for a daunting assignment. That the Legion came within a couple of minutes of getting all three points was laudable.
Instead, we will go ahead to an analytical review of the game, which we have not been doing too regularly this season. To do that, take a look at this graphic:
This aggregates all defensive actions the team accumulated. Namely, tackles won, clearances, blocked shots and interceptions. The green triangles are the tackles, everything else is blue. All told, this is 71 actions: 18 tackles, a monstrous 41 clearances, 3 blocks and 9 interceptions. There were just 4 tackles lost, by the way.
70 of the actions were in the defensive half. The only one in the attacking half was an interception, fairly obviously. Further, only 25 of the total were outside the Birmingham 18. 46, then, inside the box. All three of the blocks were right on the 6-yard line. Clearly, this was a defensive game plan, executed perfectly for over 92 minutes.
The Oakland Roots put up 13 shots overall, of which 3 were on target and, as noted, 3 were blocked and 7 were off target. Of the 13, 11 were inside the 18. The 2 from distance were both well off target. 13 is a pretty good number for most games, but in this case the Roots had 66.7% of the possession. Including 12 total minutes of stoppage time, that works out to a little over 68 minutes and a shot every 5 minutes and 14 seconds of possession. The Legion, in contrast, with its 34 minutes of possession, managed 8 shots, of which 2 were on target (3 off and 3 blocked), although only 4 were from inside the 18. That’s a shot every 4’15”. Somewhat more effective. More on that in a bit.
More than that, the Roots had 37 touches inside the Legion 18, and only 1 inside the 6 (a shot by Michael Edwards that went ludicrously wide). They put together 9 scoring chances overall. Of those only 2 were from inside the box. The assist was a corner (and I think it may have been slightly deflected by Seth Antwi on its way to Peter Wilson). The goal was also eerily similar to the Louisville City goal a couple of weeks back, the major difference being the corner was from the opposite side. Both benefited from Jassem Koleilat being blinded by a mass of players in front of him and 1 guy being left alone in a deep position.
So those 37 touches generated just one goal and that very late in the game. That was more than double the Legion’s 16 touches, which would be a good number for the Three Sparks even with high possession, who also got a goal from them.
The Legion lineup was announced by the team as a 3-4-2-1. The league website has it as a 4-4-2. Average positions make it look more like a 4-1-4-1. The back 4 was Nico Brown, Phanuel Kavita, Bryce Washington and Amir Daley. Bryce was subbed out for Keegan Hughes after 69 minutes and Nico for Serge Ngoma after 78. At that later point it morphed to a 3-man back line.
Here’s how much the 5 defenders contributed:
5 tackles, 28 clearances, 2 blocks and 4 interceptions. Both blocks were by Bryce; the third block was by Seth. 39 actions in all, which means the rest of the team supported them with 32 actions. Even with that, Amir and Phanny managed 4 touches in the Oakland 18 between them, including a scoring chance and a shot.
Basically, this game was squeaky bum time from start to finish. It was a monumental defensive effort and was fully designed to exploit the Legion’s speed in transition. And that was without some of the team’s faster players in the starting lineup. And no Tyler Pasher to control the attacking midfield either.
That 4-1-4-1 was played with an advanced central attacking mid anyway. That is, it was in effect a 4-1-3-1-1. The CAM was Peter-Lee Vassell, and the interchange between him and Romario Williams as the lone forward paid dividends at the end of the first half. The game plan was a very low press with the counter. It is a tough way to play, of course, and relies heavily on solid defensive play with an unremitting focus (which the Legion is not exactly known for). For almost the entire game the Three Sparks did precisely that. It’s also a fairly cynical game plan, and definitely wearing on the nerves of all involved, including the fans.
Defense has been this team’s strength all season. Relying on it as the core of a strategy is therefore probably a wise move. But to the extent shown in this game, not so much. It worked because the Roots have been struggling to score. A better opponent would have been much more of a challenge. But combine this play with the Legion’s first choice attacking options and you have a team to be very wary of. And Loudoun United this weekend should be especially nervous.
