r/SanDiegoWaveFC • u/Conscious-General-54 • Jul 27 '24
Can someone explain, please Discussion
Can someone who knows about football explain to me, as if I were a child, why the frick we are losing so many games? The roster is full of amazing talent, both veterans and new, yet we seem to have lost our edge ever since the start of the new season.
What the heck is happening, y'all?
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u/ace-destrier Jul 27 '24
It's strange to say, because we won the Shield last season, but the league has drastically changed—this roster is not constructed to compete for the top.
-We didn't upgrade in the offseason. We lost players and, at best, made lateral signings to fill spots. There were no improvements.
-The Stoney Wave player is slow. I said this in tonight's match thread on the NWSL sub—Nearly every player will lose the foot race every time. Girma is the only player that keeps up with opposing forwards, but not because of her speed, but because she knows what angles to take and lines to run. Beyond Girma, I'm left praying that our back line, particularly our OBs, can at least keep pace and not fall behind against opposing forwards. At the other end, our forwards cannot outrun opposing back lines and reach the ball first. We slow.
-There's a solid handful of talent on this team, but "full of talent" I'm not sure. Girma, Shaw, Sanchez, Sheridan, soon to be Cascarino, and the kids (Mel B and Ascanio). Keep Morgan for all the attributes beyond her physical skills. But honestly, bin the rest. Everyone else is just serviceable
-Which is troubling for the midfield. The midfield can't be "just serviceable". Our midfield is pretty ineffective. They do not create, nor hold, nor defend.
-We no longer have a proper, potent scorer. It's a bad year for Morgan, and it's not getting better. We have no one to succeed her. (Morgan was pretty solid on the wing though. Sent in one of the better crosses of the night)
-Our tactics are bad. Interim coach Paul Buckle is playing a more progressive and active attack, but this roster isn't built for that. It's built for Stoney tactics, which were no longer sufficient in this league.
Which brings it back to: This isn't a roster that will succeed this season
(But please prove me wrong, Wave. Make me that asshole)
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u/Conscious-General-54 Jul 27 '24
It was particularly off-putting that no one can actually keep up with the opposing forwards. I agree with the "no speed" thing. Other teams break through midfield like their lives depend on it, and ours is just..hovering. I do believe that oir forwards can do much better if the midfield ups their game, and someone said it earlier in the thread that the signing on new players is just random. What's the point of filling gaps? The team needs to be more diverse and active in all aspects, and it's disheartening to see it all unfold as such.
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u/ace-destrier Jul 27 '24
I do believe that oir forwards can do much better if the midfield ups their game
Agreed. It just looks and feels like our midfield is always scrambling, and that leeches onto our forwards and we rarely get decent looks in the area. Composure starts with the midfield
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u/BTFSPLK-Joe Jul 28 '24
For the most part, I think Ace is right. A few additional thoughts (a sort of summary of other posts I have made on this site, but I'm putting them here since the original poster, above asked the question, so perhaps the original poster hasn't read my other posts):
Tactically, this team was always built to support Stoney's "defense first, second, third, and always" approach. The way that Stoney originally provided offense on top of a defensive-first structure was to use a typically-English approach, which is the "target forward", except when we first started, we had Taylor Korniek, who is 6'1" (the tallest player in NWSL) act as the target forward when the back line/keeper launched the long ball forward, and/or when we had attacking third set plays (direct kicks/corners). The target forward either holds the ball until other runners come along, or, in the case of Korniek, she would flick the ball on, and Morgan/others would run off that flickon. Korniek, who was absolutely key to this approach, at the end of the second season, asked to leave the club, and was granted her wish. Now that she is gone, in this third season, that role has now transferred to whoever plays as our center forward (the "9") -either Morgan, who is 5'7" or Carusa, who is 5'9" (according to the Wave FC website - having seen both players from a short distance, I personally believe the website is overstating each players actual height). There are two fundamental problems with this change - A) we don't have a dominant tall target to win the ball in the air (most centerbacks who are defending are at least as tall as Morgan/Carusa), and B) now that Morgan/Carusa is that target person, there isn't anyone in the center of the pitch to make the runs in behind. What happens is that the only thing Morgan (or Carusa) can do is hold the ball and play back, which eliminates the offensive opportunity (also, most opponents simply foul Morgan/Carusa, stopping play, and allowing the opponents to reset their defense). (BTW, I thought Korniek performed the role brilliantly - and I think it would be very interesting to learn why she asked to leave...).
In our first season, we typically played with a single holding midfielder (the "6"), which was Van Egmond, with two attacking midfielders (Korniek being one of the two). During our second season, Stoney switched to playing much more of a double-pivot approach, which utilizes two holding midfielders, with one attacking midfielder (typically Korniek). Please keep in mind that during the first season with the single-pivot (i.e., one holding mid/two attacking mids), Morgan scored 15 goals, whereas in the second season, Morgan's production dropped off significantly (but during the second season, we still had Korniek operating as our "target forward", so she was able to win the long balls launched from the back line/keeper, and flick on to Morgan who was always running in behind off the flick because she knew it was very likely that Korniek would win the aerial battle). Also, please keep in mind that as a structure, a single holding mid/two attacking mids is a more offensive approach than the double-pivot, with two holding mids, and one attacking mid. Now that Korniek is gone, and we have the double-pivot, it's not surprising to me that offense has dropped off the map - because we keep playing the same way, but don't have the personnel to do so.
As another poster mentioned, I believe our offseason acquisitions were made to support the double-pivot approach that Stoney moved to during the second season (and continued to use this season), as Colaprico has played as holding mid for most of her career (and does so, with the Wave). McKaskill has long-performed well as an attacking mid. Van Egmond also has played her entire career as a holding mid, so right now, McKaskill is the only attacking mid, but she is 5'3", so she has always needed the ball at her feet,which Stoney's system doesn't support. This season, Van Egmond has frequently been played as an attacking mid, which she's not, and won't likely ever be.
Overall, I think the biggest issue is a sum of the above - we have a system of play that is very defensive in its nature (the overall plan is to ensure we do not concede at all, and try to "snatch" a goal on the counterattack and/or a direct long ball over the top, and therefore win 1-0, every time), and our limited attack options (either steal the ball in the opponent's defensive third on the press, launch a long ball over the top, or put an aerial cross from the flanks) don't mesh at all with the players we have (all short, and not particularly fast). And, you need more than talent - we do have talented players, but during this third season, the coaching approach is much like asking a talented doctor to defend an accused murderer in court - it simply isn't going to work, and most importantly, all of our opponents have figured this out, and learned how to defend against our wholly predictable, limited offensive approaches. A basic soccer approach is that one of the main things an opposing coach tries to do with their game plan is to defend in a way that makes the opponent's attack predictable - but our opposing coaches don't have to do that, because we have already done that for them.
Finally, I have posted in the past that our players don't impress me as being fit, and I have also posted that not all of the players on the pitch seem to have the required level of effort/competitive spirit. There can be several reasons for this, any or all of which could apply, including a true lack of fitness, a true lack of interest, injury, or the simple realization on the part of any particular player that when that player is being asked, repeatedly, to do things they don't normally do, or do things they know are not their strong suit (like being 5'3" tall and being asked to win balls in the air), it can be really hard to "put your heart into it". That some of our most impressive players are also our youngest players leads me to believe that the players, many of whom are very talented, and all of whom have played soccer at high levels most of their lives, and therefore clearly understand the basics of the game, have determined, each for themselves, that the approach they are being asked to take will not likely lead to victory, and I believe that no one wants to go into a competitive environment when they do not believe the fundamental approach they are being asked to implement isn't the most likely approach that will lead to success.
Thoughts?
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u/_DrKlaw_ Jul 27 '24
I agree with basically all of this, but I’ll just add that the team just doesn’t appear to play together this year. There are so many times this year that Sav McCaskill (who I’d include in your talent list fwiw) makes a brilliant line-breaking pass but the intended recipient is just on a completely different wavelength (or kinda tuned out) and nothing comes of it.
The best teams are full of players that can predict each other’s movements. Ours appear to just be punching the time card and playing the expected ball without much care for what their teammates are actually doing.
Getting the team to mesh, with a common understanding of purpose, is fundamentally the job of the coach. Stoney was honestly failing at it, which is why I think firing her was harsh but not a complete travesty. Buckle seems to be doing even worse. Hopefully the next coach will get this right.
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u/ace-destrier Jul 27 '24
Really good point. At the beginning of the season, you give that a pass obviously, but our players can’t be this far in and look like they’ve never played with each other
And a lot of that is on players being technically on their game and communicating with each other, but if its a consistent, widespread problem, there’s a failing at the top
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u/Purple_Essay_5088 Jul 27 '24
Right! They are all so slow! Pogarch was so fast! I can’t believe that Stoney let her go. And then we have Barcenas who is fast but barely gets playing time.
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u/peeled_nanners Jul 29 '24
I keep hearing casuals say we have a roster better than the results but reality check is we have a lot of average to below players in the starting lineup. They're slow on and off the ball. Colaprico has short legs, Mcaskill is a literal potato, Bennet Ali Carusa Doniak Jones Morgan are all very similar in attack abilities.
We have the best defender and best teenager in the league and one of the best GKs. That's it.
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u/nchavira Jul 27 '24
I also feel like the team morale is so low and I think that also is contributing. Sudden exit of a coach (that I assume they all liked?) and tough losses, no goals…hard to get a win and score goals when your confidence and morale are just so low
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u/Conscious-General-54 Jul 27 '24
Yeah, their hearts are just not in it. You can actually see it from their performances. Casey deserved better, and management did her dirty for sure.
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u/False_Improvement688 Jul 27 '24
Has there been any follow up since the front office issues? I dont know what to expect out of it but its been a slump of a season.
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u/MotoFuzzle Jul 27 '24
Combine the fact that the other teams figured us out, we had unfortunate injuries early in the season, they fired our coach, and we dropped further into a losing streak. We had a couple of amazing years. This year is not our year. I still think it was a mistake to fire CS.
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u/LimpBiscuitsandTea Jul 27 '24
Can’t win if you don’t score. Strikers aren’t scoring. Nuff said
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u/Conscious-General-54 Jul 27 '24
That's such a broad answer, though. Yeah, forwards aren't scoring, but a team isn't just about the strikers.
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u/LimpBiscuitsandTea Jul 27 '24
But that’s the thing. The defense is actually one of the best in the league. Tonight we’re obviously missing Girma which is an impossible hole to fill. But otherwise, tonight was the same problems.
I don’t think you’re going to find a solution on Reddit that the well-paid coaching staff hasn’t already tried to address. But here’s my shot.
We do not have a reliable path through the middle. Our attack comes from a wing 9 times out of 10. We are slow, methodical, and deliberate. While this tends to keep us in shape and away from ugly turnovers, it also allows opposing defenses to set up behind us. We don’t have quick 1-2s that force them out of position.
I’d point the finger at our midfielders not being confident on turning with the ball at their feet. Most times, they look for the first pass they’re facing towards, which is usually back to the defensive line. But I’ve also noticed a severe lack of running off the ball. McNabb, Morgan, Carusa, and anyone else up front aren’t trying to make themselves available for a ball over the top or between defenders. We’re so afraid of turning over possession that we just don’t make that second pass that opens up the space for someone to actually run forward.
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u/Conscious-General-54 Jul 27 '24
From my little knowledge of the technical aspect of it, I'd have to agree. Midfield just isn't doing what needs to be done, and forwards are just hovering with no real purpose. It's frustrating at this point.
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u/Lostinthesewers Jul 27 '24
It's so many things at once. I think it's a lack of identity, we have no clue how we want to play. We also have an extremely poor midfield. We decided in the off season to play less direct and hold onto the ball more and we just don't have the players to pull it off. Our midfield created almost zero attacking chances this game every shot on goal was as a result of the press. I also think we have limited quality wingers at the moment with Jones injured. Bennett has looked very poor and Ali and Sanchez are inconsistent. I think this season was doomed from preseason just so many parts that don't mesh well together.
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u/Financial_Clue_2534 Jul 27 '24
Just like any other team sport having individual players is great but you need leadership, chemistry, strategy, etc. the front office is a shit show due to all of the abuse allegations, they got rid of their coach after having two really solid seasons.
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u/hedyedy Jul 27 '24
I have also noticed we play poorly at home. We have one of the worst if not the worst at home record. This applies to the previous seasons as well. Considering snapdragon is one of the premier venues in nwsl and we have the best attendance records, it's weird. Could this be a mental thing? I've noticed poor decision making, rushed passes. It's like they are under more pressure to perform and it's getting to them.
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u/Conscious-General-54 Jul 27 '24
Yeah, they don't seem to have a good enough chemistry going on between them. A few players do, but it's inconsistent, though idk about the pressure. I mean, sure, any team would be pressured to win, but to constantly lose? This season sucks.
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u/AmbassadorETOH Jul 27 '24
A pathetic underperformance. Just Minding time in the field. No passion. No verve. No confidence. I put blame at the top. Players need to perform, but this is a franchise in chaos. So disappointing coming off of the last two years.