SLU Men's Soccer Thread

[billikens747]

Going to the game tomorrow. Do they serve beer?

[courtside]

20 minutes ago, billikens747 said:

Going to the game tomorrow. Do they serve beer?

Yes.

[courtside]

Dayton scout.

4-2-3-1 with a wrinkle. Their best scoring forward, Martin Bakken, plays an inverted left wing. They push up their left back Dobruna to take the space. Lots of opportunity on that side of the field for SLU to get spacing, use the width, make Bakken played wider than he prefers.

It’s still a base 4-2-3-1. Sassine is their other scorer. he plays up top as a 9, wearing number 9. 

Dayton doesn’t have the same level of explosiveness as the past few years. But they are still going to push forward and play a lot of direct soccer. 

[Bay Area Billiken]

Beat Dayton. 
Let’s go Bills️

[courtside]

13 hours ago, courtside said:

Dayton scout.

4-2-3-1 with a wrinkle. Their best scoring forward, Martin Bakken, plays an inverted left wing. They push up their left back Dobruna to take the space. Lots of opportunity on that side of the field for SLU to get spacing, use the width, make Bakken played wider than he prefers.

It’s still a base 4-2-3-1. Sassine is their other scorer. he plays up top as a 9, wearing number 9. 

Dayton doesn’t have the same level of explosiveness as the past few years. But they are still going to push forward and play a lot of direct soccer. 

A10 Conference Tourney Championship

SLU 1 Dayton 1 (SLU 5 Dayton 4 PK’s)

……………….

Good to have to former Billikens Max Floriani, Seth Anderson, Jack Mika, Christian Buendia, and Johnny Klein. Good to have former Associate HC Kris Bertsch and former HC Dan Donigan. 
………………

SLU had some trouble figuring out Dayton’s formation wrinkles in the first half. 

…………..

If you like changing formations, this was the game for you. 

4-2-3-1, 3-2-4-1, and 4-1-4-1 for Dayton

4-4-2, and a late 3-2-5 and 4-2-4 for SLU

Unavailable: Xavi O’Neil. He licked up a late game injury in the semifinal. Big loss for SLU. He was so good in the tourney that he made the all tourney team without even playing in the final. 

……………….

When Dobruna pushes up at left back, one of Dayton’s two central defensive mids drops to his normal position.  3-2-4-1. When Dobruna stays back, one of their defensive mids moves up. 4-1-4-1. What stays the same is the 4 quantity in their 2nd line

Why do they do it?  Dobruna has the pace to get up the line or get back. And it allows Bakken to play inside part of the time where he is more effective. Bakken is the dude that cut back inside on Carlos and he run the fsr post in the first 13 minutes of the game. Have to close out tighter and make him go left. 

They do it to make it difficult for SLU to build from the back centrally through the middle. It takes away central passing lanes by having a 4th player there. 

It’s constantly switching two formations back and forth. And at times a 3rd when they play their base 4-2-3-1.

………………..

SLU was way too tentative and conservative in the first half. Not a confident first touch, too many heavy passes. If you don’t have the numbers or support, you need stronger hold up play until you get it. Pressure needed to be higher. Compete level needed to be more urgent.
……………….

Dayton goal was poor set piece defending.Dayton had a play to create a little separation and Bonham ran onto Dobruna’s pass near post. Bonham was the delay llayer in back. Man marking and  o one stayed with him. SLU had 3 players marking 1 player on the play. Two were actually unmarked. 
………………..

Early 2nd half SLU almost evened the score. Schramm to DiMaria whi reversed fields wide to Carlos running the right flank. He placed it for Delkus to run onto it and he hammered it off of the keeper from 6 yards Dayton was in their 4-4-4-1. Schramm beat that trap to DiMaria who had numbers and wide open space. Dobruna had to help inside on Delkus. But with Carlos making a run he had to leave him. No chance their center back was going to catch up to Delkus. 

This should have happened several times in half 1. it happened often in half 2.Much of the 2nd half was this. 

Recognize formation, make the lass, reverse the ball into space with numbers and pace. 
……………………

With a lead in the 2nd half, Dayton played more of its 4-2-3-1 which allowed SLU to get better spacing and use the width of the field. And Dobruna started getting banged up in the game. Adebayo Dikka had a strong game at right back for Dayton. 

SLU gave Bakken 1 other chance in the game. Dikko forced a turnover in transition wide and he played a diagonal ground pass Bakken who took the space because Nick and JC gave it to him. Slow close out. He missed fsr post again from 18. 
…………….

SLU also started winning more 50/50 balls, aerial duels. 

Easton re-aggravated a season long hamstring issue in the first half.  2nd half Cortez moved over to center back from left back, and Henry played left back. Versatility, depth, etc matter. 

With 13 minutes remaining SLU finally played Anderson and Franca together up top. They subbed out Henry, and they dropped Fouriner to center back between Blair and Cortez. 3 backs instead of 4. DiMaria paired with Schramm to have a more offensive dmid. He also played it a little higher. And SLU played 5 up front. A 3-2-5 to try to equalize. Heckenlaible, Tanner, Franca, Pare, Carlos up top

SLU goal. DiMaria up the line for Heckenlaibe. Back pst cross for Pare who kept it in play to Franca. Spectacular save on Franca inside the 6. Rebound to Heckenlaibe wide of the 6. One time a short cross to Franca whi gets back up in time to volley it home. 1-1

Changing formations and Personnel. Pairing your best scorers. 

SLU dropped Carlos back after that to play a 4-2-4 to finish regulation

……………….

SLU pushed for a 1st OT goal. fatigue set in during the 2nd OT. 

SLU was sharp in PK’s. Blair is SLU’s best PK taker and he shoots first. Jeremi is a regular PK taker for SLU in practice. Not a surprise there. 

……………….

SLU’s RPI is 24.

………………

[Pistol]

SLU will host Kentucky on Thursday at 7. Winner plays 6-seed Indiana.

[almaman]

what is the rank of Kentucky?

[willie]

I am sure that our past reputation and the fact that we will sell a few tickets didn't hurt in getting a home game. 

[SLUBALLS]

KY:  19th last week per CSN:

https://collegesoccernews.com/college-soccer-news-mens-week-12-top-25-coaches-poll-maryland-claims-top-spot-nc-state-and-stanford-drop/

Weather looking crappy....hope that is an early morning to mid afternoon rain in the forecast.  Temps will be great.:

[Pistol]

34 minutes ago, almaman said:

what is the rank of Kentucky?

RPI: 39
United Soccer Coaches Poll: 19
Top Drawer Soccer: Unranked

SLU is 24th in the RPI, 22nd in the Coaches Poll (to be updated tomorrow), and 23rd in the new TDS poll.

Kentucky is 10-3-5 overall, 7-1-1 in the Sun Belt, 7-2-3 at home, 3-1-2 away.
Wins: at WMU, vs. Bellarmine, vs. Detroit, vs. UCF, at Coastal Carolina, vs. James Madison, vs. South Carolina, at Georgia Southern, vs. West Virginia, vs. Georgia State
Ties: vs. UCLA, vs. Bowling Green, at Louisville, at Old Dominion, vs. Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt Tournament; UK advanced on PKs)
Losses: at Marshall, vs. Indiana, vs. UCF

Tough draw.

[OkieBilliken]

38 minutes ago, Pistol said:

RPI: 39
United Soccer Coaches Poll: 19
Top Drawer Soccer: Unranked

SLU is 24th in the RPI, 22nd in the Coaches Poll (to be updated tomorrow), and 23rd in the new TDS poll.

Kentucky is 10-3-5 overall, 7-1-1 in the Sun Belt, 7-2-3 at home, 3-1-2 away.
Wins: at WMU, vs. Bellarmine, vs. Detroit, vs. UCF, at Coastal Carolina, vs. James Madison, vs. South Carolina, at Georgia Southern, vs. West Virginia, vs. Georgia State
Ties: vs. UCLA, vs. Bowling Green, at Louisville, at Old Dominion, vs. Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt Tournament; UK advanced on PKs)
Losses: at Marshall, vs. Indiana, vs. UCF

Tough draw.

I have a long memory.  Kentucky beat us in the tournament in 2000, which was Bob Warming's last game as head coach.  We thoroughly dominated the game but it was scoreless after 60 minutes of OT.   We lost on penalty kicks when a Kentucky dude did a quick kick because he was a punk.  Their keeper made about 5 point blank saves   We had a damn good team that year too, with freshman Brad Davis and sophomore Jack Jewsbury.     I hate soccer sometimes.   

[SLUBALLS]

23 minutes ago, OkieBilliken said:

I have a long memory.  Kentucky beat us in the tournament in 2000, which was Bob Warming's last game as head coach.  We thoroughly dominated the game but it was scoreless after 60 minutes of OT.   We lost on penalty kicks when a Kentucky dude did a quick kick because he was a punk.  Their keeper made about 5 point blank saves   We had a damn good team that year too, with freshman Brad Davis and sophomore Jack Jewsbury.     I hate soccer sometimes.   

The next year was even worse though.  Pretty sure we dominated that year, get a NCAA lower seed than we deserved, had to go out to rain-soaked Stanford to play in quarterfinals, which saw an errant pass by our keeper after he slipped, which went to one of the top forwards that year standing near the 18 and he buries it.  Very reminiscent of of a couple years ago at Washington. Maybe we can be on the other side of a wet field this year at home?

[billikenfan05]

I’m sure the selection committee was excited to set up a potential second round matchup like Indiana and Saint Louis 

[Bay Area Billiken]

The top 16 seeds followed the RPI 100% in terms of which teams received the seeds.  

The only bid stealer was #71 Elon in the CAA.  The NCAA gave an at large bid to #27 Hofstra, also from the CAA.

The gift bids per the RPI went to SLU's opponent, #39 Kentucky, although Kentucky is ranked 19th, and to #44 Notre Dame.

The ACC has a whopping 9 bids, the Big Ten and Big East 5 each, and the Sun Belt with its auxiliary members 4. The Summit League received 2 bids:  #23 Denver with the automatic bid and #20 Kansas City with an at large.  Mahomes and Kelce were once at a Blues' playoff game.  Will they be at UMKC's playoff game, which will likely be the only playoff game in KCMO this season?

[Bay Area Billiken]

3 hours ago, SLUBALLS said:

The next year was even worse though.  Pretty sure we dominated that year, get a NCAA lower seed than we deserved, had to go out to rain-soaked Stanford to play in quarterfinals, which saw an errant pass by our keeper after he slipped, which went to one of the top forwards that year standing near the 18 and he buries it.  Very reminiscent of of a couple years ago at Washington. Maybe we can be on the other side of a wet field this year at home?

I was at that debacle at Stanford. That was an errant goal kick, right to Stanford's player, who promptly booted the ball right back into the goal. It was incredible and unbelievable to witness.  My chief soccer consultant termed it a miskick. Also Stanford had hooligan student fans positioned right behind the SLU goalie during that game.  Stanford's two sets of west sideline bleachers are bisected by a tree in the middle.  

The prototypical Stanford couple arrived and sat by us.  The woman surveyed the SLU roster, and exclaimed, "They don't have any players from California."  I responded, "You don't have any players from Missouri." 

[Cowboy]

4 minutes ago, Bay Area Billiken said:

I was at that debacle at Stanford, which should have been in St. Louis. 

That was an errant goal kick, right to Stanford's player, who promptly booted the ball right back into the goal. It was incredible and unbelievable to witness.  My chief soccer consultant termed it a miskick. Also Stanford had hooligan student fans positioned right behind the SLU goalie during that game.  Stanford's two sets of west sideline bleachers are bisected by a tree in the middle.  

The prototypical Stanford couple arrived and sat by us.  The woman surveyed the SLU roster, and exclaimed, "They don't have any players from California."  I responded, "You don't have any players from Missouri." 

-classic

[Bay Area Billiken]

Bravo Billikens for winning the A10 Regular Season and Tourney Championships.

And double bravo for ending Dayton's season. 

[courtside]

Kentucky scout.

UK won the Sun Belt. UCF, Marshall, Georgia Southern, (at large snub In favor of Notre  Dame) and Marshall are all good teams in that league. They finished the season strong. They didn’t have a good conference tourney, which they hosted. 

Kentucky is 3-3-1 vs RPI Top 50 with an additional fourth win over another NCAA Tourney team. 

Their base formation is a 4-2-3-1 similar to Dayton. Also similar to Dayton, I expect then to try a few wrinkles. 

Conlon is a two time Sun Belt GK of the year with 2 different teams. He’s good. Few mistakes.

Muir, Mikoy, Solmaz, Gordon in back. But expect Gordon to play very high at left back. Then the other 3 spread out into 3 center backs and they switch to a 3-2-4-1. They will play through Gordon on the left side. And they will play through Looez and Anderson in the back middle. 

Onos and Smith share time at RW and both are quiet. The offense moves through the mentioned left side,(Gordon and Ruiz),  and through the middle with Larsson and Lopez. 

Chisolm is their target and space forward. When he is interested and he is sharing the ball, he’s very good. He’s otherwise not going to pass and he’s a high volume shot taker. Explosive at times. 

Lopez will dribble the central space. Larsson and Ruiz are playmakers from the middle left. Gordon will take it inside the 18 if you let him. 

Diagonal aerial balls are left to right. 

SLU can spread them out. Make them play wide and the right side. Do mot give Lopez and Larson space. They will defend, counter, transition the middle. Lopez will move up when Gordon stays back. Have to recognize the formation, the middle 4 cutting down the central passing lanes vs Gordon staying back. Reverse the ball diagonally when Gordon is high. Play centrally when he is not.

Kentucky is not a 2nd 11 team. Their first 11 will play most of the game. 

[billikenfan05]

https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/5f5df356-965d-4519-a5b7-acbbdb76569f#bucketId=42026

UKs Sun Belt Semi Final loss against UCF

https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/eventCalendarId/401832272?gameId=760764&sourceLang=en&om-navmethod=espn:globalsearch:results

UK vs Coastal Carolina in the Quarter Final

[Lord Elrond]

Forecast for tonight not looking so bad, temp in the high 50’s, only 10% chance of rain

[White Pelican]

Was there Sunday, can't make this one. Bring home a winner guys! Go Bills!

[courtside]

On 11/18/2025 at 5:25 PM, courtside said:

Kentucky scout.

UK won the Sun Belt. UCF, Marshall, Georgia Southern, (at large snub In favor of Notre  Dame) and Marshall are all good teams in that league. They finished the season strong. They didn’t have a good conference tourney, which they hosted. 

Kentucky is 3-3-1 vs RPI Top 50 with an additional fourth win over another NCAA Tourney team. 

Their base formation is a 4-2-3-1 similar to Dayton. Also similar to Dayton, I expect then to try a few wrinkles. 

Conlon is a two time Sun Belt GK of the year with 2 different teams. He’s good. Few mistakes.

Muir, Mikoy, Solmaz, Gordon in back. But expect Gordon to play very high at left back. Then the other 3 spread out into 3 center backs and they switch to a 3-2-4-1. They will play through Gordon on the left side. And they will play through Looez and Anderson in the back middle. 

Onos and Smith share time at RW and both are quiet. The offense moves through the mentioned left side,(Gordon and Ruiz),  and through the middle with Larsson and Lopez. 

Chisolm is their target and space forward. When he is interested and he is sharing the ball, he’s very good. He’s otherwise not going to pass and he’s a high volume shot taker. Explosive at times. 

Lopez will dribble the central space. Larsson and Ruiz are playmakers from the middle left. Gordon will take it inside the 18 if you let him. 

Diagonal aerial balls are left to right. 

SLU can spread them out. Make them play wide and the right side. Do mot give Lopez and Larson space. They will defend, counter, transition the middle. Lopez will move up when Gordon stays back. Have to recognize the formation, the middle 4 cutting down the central passing lanes vs Gordon staying back. Reverse the ball diagonally when Gordon is high. Play centrally when he is not.

Kentucky is not a 2nd 11 team. Their first 11 will play most of the game. 

Half time adjustments.

UK wrinkle. They started Gordon on the right side with Muir. Overloaded two pace outside backs on the right, two size center backs on the left. They like the matchups on their right. 

They are playing an extra defender on the left side.  The build is on the right 90% of the time. Even Ruiz is on the right side. 

After they scored they switched to a 5-1-3-1. Take the central space in front of you with combo play in the middle when they play 5 backs. 

Play middle ground vs Lopez and Andersson, diagonal wide on attacking right side. 

When Gordon is high play over the top of Muir. Ground service. Caught a break with Larsson having to go out for Smith. Didn’t take advantage. 

[courtside]

2nd 11.

You have a 2nd 11 when you play 204 minutes in 4 days, and, you have another road game in 3 days.

You have a 2nd 11 when you are ravaged with injuries. 

You have a 2nd 11 when you play good teams that only/mostly player their starters the full game. 

You have w 2nd 11 when opposing teams game plan to take away certain aspects of your game. 

You have a 2nd 11 when things are working or going your way in the game with the first 11.. 

You have a 2nd 11 when 8 rotation players have injuries during the season. 

SLU has had 18 players play double digit games this season. That doesn’t count Sellers who was injured after 8, or Torres who was injured at the beginning of the season. It doesn’t count Kavi who played as a true Freshmen when needed.  It doesn’t count the promising redshirt Freshmen. 

12 states.14 cities. 5 countries. 6 transfers. 6 STL. Balance.

[courtside]

On 11/18/2025 at 5:25 PM, courtside said:

Kentucky scout.

UK won the Sun Belt. UCF, Marshall, Georgia Southern, (at large snub In favor of Notre  Dame) and Marshall are all good teams in that league. They finished the season strong. They didn’t have a good conference tourney, which they hosted. 

Kentucky is 3-3-1 vs RPI Top 50 with an additional fourth win over another NCAA Tourney team. 

Their base formation is a 4-2-3-1 similar to Dayton. Also similar to Dayton, I expect then to try a few wrinkles. 

Conlon is a two time Sun Belt GK of the year with 2 different teams. He’s good. Few mistakes.

Muir, Mikoy, Solmaz, Gordon in back. But expect Gordon to play very high at left back. Then the other 3 spread out into 3 center backs and they switch to a 3-2-4-1. They will play through Gordon on the left side. And they will play through Looez and Anderson in the back middle. 

Onos and Smith share time at RW and both are quiet. The offense moves through the mentioned left side,(Gordon and Ruiz),  and through the middle with Larsson and Lopez. 

Chisolm is their target and space forward. When he is interested and he is sharing the ball, he’s very good. He’s otherwise not going to pass and he’s a high volume shot taker. Explosive at times. 

Lopez will dribble the central space. Larsson and Ruiz are playmakers from the middle left. Gordon will take it inside the 18 if you let him. 

Diagonal aerial balls are left to right. 

SLU can spread them out. Make them play wide and the right side. Do mot give Lopez and Larson space. They will defend, counter, transition the middle. Lopez will move up when Gordon stays back. Have to recognize the formation, the middle 4 cutting down the central passing lanes vs Gordon staying back. Reverse the ball diagonally when Gordon is high. Play centrally when he is not.

Kentucky is not a 2nd 11 team. Their first 11 will play most of the game. 

NCAA Tourney:

Saint Louis 2 Kentucky 1  2OT

The Carlos, KP and JC show, with a strong supporting cast. 

Unavailable: Easton. 

Limited availability: Tanner, Xavi. 
 

Kentucky: 5-1-3-1, 5-3-1 after red card. 4-4-1 after red card

SLU: 4-4-2 

5 back line defenders for Kentucky. Instead of spreading out their outside backs, they played them both on the right side. They rotated Ruiz, Larsson and Chisolm to play on that side with Gordon. They weren’t going to build with the big center backs and extra defender Miller on the left side. They wanted to attack Andrew and Gershon’s side. 

When a team plays 5 in back, the space is in the middle. Lopez is an offensive defensive midfielder. So UK was mostly using just one defensive midfielder defensively. That calls for short ground combination play uo the middle of the field, and taking the space they give you there. DiMaria struggled at times in a few previous games. This was a better matchup for him. Games are often about matchups, adjustments etc…

Kentucky goal. From the back, Conlon to Ruiz at midfield. Inside out diagonal ball doen the right side for Gordon 1v1 with Henry. Gordon took it inside the 18, which drew additional defenders. Two soft clears by SLU to Lopez 20 yards out, unmarked. His shot hits a defender, redirects and it skips into the far side netting. 1-0 5th minute.

5 minutes later SLU had 2 great chances but didn't convert. Carlos played a ball inside the 18, cleared to Delkus who volleyed it back to the 6. Mikoy was turned around. Great save by Conlon point blank on DiMaria. Rebound to Franca from the spot, one time volley and another great save from Conlon. 

Multiple times in the game, Kentucky was able to get behind the defense. Each time, JC Cortez chased the player down. Versatility of being able to play both center back, and outside back. He gas switched between the two all season. Many center backs wouldn’t be able to chase down forwards

Heckenlaible forced a turnover, and he played a gave and go with Franca. Left footed shot 12 yards out left side of the 18, It would have been a goal, Conlon again full extension diving save. Could have been 2-1 SLU. Instead 1-0 UK thanks to Conlon.

Barnett found Delkus in space down the right side. he put it well over the bar. 

Part of Kentucky’a game plan was to body Franca with Mikoy and Solmaz whenever snd wherever possible. Two big physical players at center back. Theo is a physical forward and they wanted to take that away. 

Kentucky right side build, Muir, to Gordon who found Euiz in space 1v1 with Barnett. Tight side of the box. Ruiz is left footed, and heavily so, have to make him go right. Draven did not. Ruiz cut it back top of the box, good recovery from Draven to poke the ball out to the 20, but again, unmarked Lopez ripped a low skipping shot far post. Full extension from Jeremi, great save. Miller followed up the rebound for a goal. Play was offsides. No goal. But again, Lopez is an offensive defensive midfielder who is strong on the dribble, but, who also gets forward to take distance shots as a trailer. SLU struggled to mark him at times in the first half. 

What happens. and this has been a thing this season, is SLU defends to at least 6 inside its own 18, with its two defensive mids very deep. Either they need to close out higher or SLU’s attacking mids wings need to get back and do it. This will be a thingvs Indiana. 

Gordon again right flank diagonal ball over the top for Smith, who was contained by four Billikens but he ripped a 20 yard shot over the bar. Have to close out top of box shooters. 

When Kentucky did try to find Chisolm in space, JC shut him down every time. Strong game from JC Cortez. And without Grady available, it’s high value. 

Henry forced a turnover, reversed the ball to Carlos, to KP in space down the right side of the 18. Another full extension save from Conlon to keep it 1-0. KP had another string run. Xavi was effective down the left side. 2nd 11 wings were better for SLU. 

Tanner forced a turnover with a sliding tackle to Barnett, one time to DiMaria in space. To Xavi who took it to the end line. Nothing came of the good scoring chance, but the play doesn’t happen without Tanner’s tackle. 

Good first half from Cortez and Henry. Also good half from the 2nd wings.

………………

SLU opened the 2nd half attacking the left side of the UK defense with Carlos. Lots of set pieces and corners. SLU switched KP to the right side with him. it gave UK a lot to handle on that side, with Gordon and Muir on the other side. Eventually Gordon had to switch to that side in OT. 

KP and Carlos, back post to Henry. He was clipped on the leg but Gordon was able to get the ball first. No PK. 

More KP right side. Give and go with Draven. Left foot from 15 over the bar. 

Carlos run again, drew another foul top of the box. KP free kick over the bar. It was the 2nd yellow for Larsson. Kentucky switched to a 5-3-1 and also a 4-4-1 for the rest of the game. 

Heavy doses of Carlos and KP. 

SLU’s defensive midfield won most of the middle of the field battles all night, and it led to SLU’s goal. Barnett forced a turnover. Up to DiMaria who hit one quickly from 25. Conlon couldn’t handle it 1-1. It’s the accumulation of constant 2nd half pressure from SLU. Good work from Barnett. Schramm, Fournier.

Xavi was limited with his time but very effective late in halves. 

The Carlos and KP show again end of regulation. Combination play and overlaps all 2nd half. KP dribbled the middle and found Xavi whose one time shot needed another Conlon diving save. 
……………….

Kentucky moved Gordon to the left side in 1st OT. Carlos and KP had torched the left side all 2nd half. First time in the game, Gordon matched up with Carlos and KP. 

Set piece corner won again for SLU. Cleared to Xavi top of the box. His shot from 20 almost ended the game. 

………………

2OT

Theo almost ended it on a long ball from Blair. He was able to get by Solmaz. Conlon came all the way to the 18 to make a game saving save. 

Sustained heavy pressure and work on the right side by Carlos and KP. Carlos 1v1 with Gordon, service to Jack at the 6 for the tap in goal. 2-1 2OT winner. Finishing is something that Jack has been  working on as a central midfielder playing forward. Good time for results.

Elite level games from Carlos, KP, and Cortez. Many other high level contributors too, 

[courtside]

15 hours ago, courtside said:

Half time adjustments.

UK wrinkle. They started Gordon on the right side with Muir. Overloaded two pace outside backs on the right, two size center backs on the left. They like the matchups on their right. 

They are playing an extra defender on the left side.  The build is on the right 90% of the time. Even Ruiz is on the right side. 

After they scored they switched to a 5-1-3-1. Take the central space in front of you with combo play in the middle when they play 5 backs. 

Play middle ground vs Lopez and Andersson, diagonal wide on attacking right side. 

When Gordon is high play over the top of Muir. Ground service. Caught a break with Larsson having to go out for Smith. Didn’t take advantage. 

Half time adjustments were made.