Sacramento Republic FC have scored at least one goal in each of the first five games of the season, nine in total. They are 3-1-1 and sit in third place with 10 points and a game in hand on first place Tulsa. That’s great. But watching these first few matches and taking a look at some underlying statistics reveals an issue at the core of the Republic’s play.
Last Saturday’s match against Austin Bold illustrates the problem. Five shots total over the course of 90 minutes at home is not a adequate. At least they were all on target? Last week’s match against Tacoma Defiance saw 14 shots, but only three were on target, and uhhhh, one was penalty kick.
Looking back a few games we see more of the same against Colorado Switchbacks, for shots on goal including a penalty kick.
The data reveals what the eye can see just as well, in that the Republic’s offense is missing a spark. To be honest, games have been dull. Possession is kept between center-backs. Attacks often start with long searching passes to isolated players in 1v2 situations out on the wings. Crosses often seem hopeful at best. There is no fluid passing between players, or creation of overloads to open up space.
Perhaps most importantly, play through the middle of the park is almost non-existent. While the game against Austin really showed this flaw, the 4-1 win over Oklahoma City FC also revealed large voids in the attacking third of the pitch.
The Republic have several players who could bring much needed creativity to this area of the pitch. While central midfielder Jaime Villereal played behind Iwasa for a stint on Saturday, his skills are more useful deeper.
It is winger Villyan Bijev who should be slotted behind Iwasa to open up space and link up play in the middle of the pitch. Bijev is often played out wide, where his aerial ability makes him an excellent target for searching passes from the center-backs. His skill allows him to take on defenders and drive towards the box.
However, he is often isolated, and is not exceedingly quick. This leads him to burning out by the 65th minute most games. By playing him behind the striker, he won’t need to cover as much ground. He will find himself between the midfield and defense to conceive dangerous passes, and be in position to take more of his powerful strikes from good positions at the top of the 18.
This move would also allow the Republic to play with a pair of pacy, clever attackers in a wide areas. Pick two of Werner, Aleman or Blackwood. Not bad choices huh?
I think a small change in position could be a huge a boost for the Republic’s attack. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments
Still early season
Bijev is admittedly one of the most highly skilled players on the team, one of the few capable of taking on defenders one on one and winning the majority of the challenges. With that said, he seems incredibly reluctant to pass the ball, more so than last season when it became clear that was not a strong suit for him. It seems like every game he will take one or two shots that end up around the levee, often with an attacker in a position to take a higher percentage shot. Would his mentality change with a shift in position? Possibly. I feel like with all the new players, it’s just time before the attack gels.
On a positive note, Jordan McCrary looks like the left back we have been waiting for. He made a couple of mistakes, but his ability to get up the field and to take on opposing defenders opened up a lot of space for his teammates, I think when all is said and done this season, barring injury, his impact will be significant.
I would also point out that although the game winning goal was ruled an OG, I could feel it coming in a way that I haven’t felt in a couple of years. This roster has some swagger and a fire that I haven’t seen since the first season and a half. Keinan and Saari both took what could rightfully be considered "bad cards," but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. The team needed someone to light a fire and they did. I honestly felt they were going to score, right up to the point that they did, they deserved to win that game and showed they could break down a team wanting to park the bus and play ugly. It’s still early and I am still bullish on this team. My feeling is that when the US Open Cup comes around, players who have not gotten much playing time are going to be itching to show what they can do and increase the pressure on the starters, all good as they move in to the heart of the season.
By danieltyree on 04.10.19 8:58pm
I kind of disagree
What you have stated above more shows how you think the team should be playing, rather than how the has been instructed to play. I agree that the team needs a player to unlock defenses but that player does not need to be through the middle. If you look at how the team has been set up before the Austin Bold game, Bonomo was up top, holding play for Iwasa underneath to get involved as well as the wingers. It is then Iwasa’s job, the wingers job, or the fullbacks job to create chances. So there are four players on the wing that are supposed to get ball into the box, while there is really only one player in middle. The numerical advantage comes from big switches in play out to wing with the fullback advancing. It can also be through the middle if the defense gets stretched out. For an example of this working well, look to the Oklahoma City game.
The first goal was the fullback squaring the ball to Saari in the middle, then Saari playing a forward pass to Iwasa. Iwasa had space because of the positioning of three attacking players. Werner on the left was at the top left corner of the box pulling the opposing fullback out. Bonomo was between that fullback and left centerback about 4 yards to the left of the penalty spot also pulling the centerback over to him. Horde was out wide right about 3 yards from the touch line, pulling the right fullback out to mark him. This leaves two more centerbacks in the OKC defense. one had slid to the left to help with Bonomo while the other had begun to step to Iwasa. Both of these allowed to amazing shot from Iwasa. Now Iwasa could have played the ball back to Saari for desent shot, or out wide to either winger, or into Bonomo who probably would have scored because he had a few yards of space, but then he wouldn’t be the selfish striker that we need him to be.
The second goal comes from a great run by Haris and an even better chip to Bonomo to draw the penalty.
The third goal comes from a deep cross from Taintor who is playing fullback to an unmarked Iwasa at the back post. This play starts with a big switch from left centerback to right wing. Horde is on the wing and plays the ball back into the middle to Skundrich who lays it off for Taintor. Because Sacramento committed number wide right, OKC had to do the same, leaving the far post open. It was a beautiful cross and finish that was only open because The Republic pulled OKC out of position. Horde had been calling for this long switch for about 5 minutes before it happened so I know he knew exactly what he was doing.
The last goal comes from Taintor playing a line splitting pass into Iwasa who had shown for the ball in front of the centerbacks. Iwasa then lays the ball off for Skundrich who quickly does the same for Horde on wing. Horde quickly crosses the ball into the box behind Iwasa. Werner was there to pick up the ball and shoot. The shot was deflected but not lucky because it comes off of The Republic building up an attacking play.
I think this is how Sacramento wants to play, through the middle yes, but mostly on the wing. The problem is having midfielders and defenders who can find the right pass at the right time to the wing. And forwards that can run into space once the ball in on the wing.
We will see if the team can get get their wingers involved more this Saturday against T2.
And for the record, Bijev is not a winger, but he can’t play centrally either because he doesn’t defend enough. He really is a second forward in a two forward system. Werner is the winger that needs to be starting.
By Republicfan01 on 04.11.19 8:33am