Mass Young Gunners - Commanders vs. NEFC Metro West

 Young Gunners 2013 - Commanders

Mass Young Gunners - Commanders vs. NEFC Metro West

NEFC Park - Mendon, Ma

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Rough Outing, but still no quit

The Commanders started off the first five minutes of the game as if they were ready to dominate their opponents and grab their first win of the season. William Lachance and Cal Darlington put pressure on the keeper with some one on one skills that created some great scoring chances, but unfortunately those attempts went wide of the goal or were blocked by the keeper. NEFC were able to gather their shape the rest of the game and continued to attack relentlessing with their speed. The Commanders consistently broke down defensively by chasing the ball or not being disciplined with their positions. Each time there was a breakdown the rest of the team had to exert extra energy to cover which would then create a gap with their defensive assignment. These breakdowns continued for most of the game and NEFC won with a score of 20-0. 

Half-Time Adjustments

Defensive shape and individual responsibility was the main discussion in the second half. This is a difficult concept for players to pick up especially being a younger group, so frequent reminders and repetition is key throughout the game until they are developmentally ready. The focus was on how the entire team was putting so much effort on the field, but how the energy was wasted and creating problems that other players needed to do extra work. The second half was stronger from the Commanders with many players doing a better job of maintaining their shape. 

Players of the Match

Players of the match goes to Kai Helper and Callen Ploss. Kai had a difficult time maintaining his defensive position in the first half. His energy level on a consistent basis is through the roof, often running nonstop the entire time he’s on the field. With that energy level, he tries to out work the other team with his hustle play. After the team chat during halftime, Kai was able to use that high energy and maintain his positioning which slowed down the constant attack from their opponents, but he was able to get the ball out wide more often, make strong runs down the wings. Callen’s decision making on the field throughout the game was top notch. He consistently cut down the angles of the attackers, controlled every ball that came near him and would make simple passes outside to his teammates. My proudest moment came when Callen received a pass from a goal kick and used his weaker back foot, unfortunately he mistouched the first three passes in a row that came towards him. Most players would have taken the easy way out and used their strong foot even though it’s not the correct play. Callen kept trying and the following three passes he settled the ball nicely and opened up to pass towards his teammate.