Our Style of Play?

I have not posted video of our club team because I do not have any to post.  It would be impossible to coach and run a camera at the same time.  Parents want to watch their children play. We operated on a shoe string budget with no extra money to hire someone to tape our matches.

However ... if you would like to see what our style of play looks like watch the MLS Columbus Crew SC play this (2015) season.  Coach Gregg Berhalter's team is running "our" system right down to the minutest details.

It is both secure defensively and dynamic on the attack. To say I am excited by what I have seen from the Crew in their first two matches would be an understatement.  They have brought for enthusiasm previously unknown to me for MLS soccer.  If they remain healthy and continue to play as they have thus far I think this season will be a very special one for the Crew!

Watch as the backs remain tight and usually within their 18 when defending.  Then note as the outside backs release and the spacing between center backs widens as the team transitions to attack.  One of the holding midfielders stays central, slightly advanced of the two center backs and is a primary facilitator in both transition to attack and building an attack. The action in front and up top is very fluid with an emphasis on target play, multiple switches on the point of attack and some direct play mixed in to keep the opposing defense honest. 

It is what we refer to as Sun Tzu soccer at its best.

“For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.”

The idea is not to merely create scoring chances, but to have any player on the pitch capable of being a threat to score. When this happens it stresses a defense to the breaking point.  The Crew have demonstrated an adept ability to do this thus far.  They are absolutely peppering the opponents goals and the shots are being generated by multiple players from varied spots on the pitch.  Beautiful soccer!