Dear Team:
Just wanted to share some thoughts on today's games.
Overall, very pleased with how we quickly adapted to the games and the spirit in which we played: enthusiastically, fairly, positively and at a good level of technical play. This will be a great space for us to learn, regardless of the opposition. Although we outplayed our opponents, we struggled in areas but hopefully by the end of the season we will play a lot more technical fluency.
I very much enjoyed watching the kids play!
Eli: MVP for DUSC vs. Red Bulls. Always looking to create and also worked exceptionally hard off the ball. Played with a lot of heart. Always great to see.
Jesse: MVP for DUSC vs. Barecelona. Although the scoreline didn't reflect that he was under a lot of pressure, he pulled off excellent saves when called upon and was a team leader, always communicating. When he moved out of goal he make good decisions and moved well off the ball -- PLUS, his teammates gave him the vote !
Three points for us to look to improve on for next week:
1. Be much quicker to mark up defensively -- too often ball watching and allowing players to run past us. KEY: Ensure we can see both player and the ball. Also help each other communicate and stay concentrated. Not only be responsible for yourself but others on the team.
2. Support:
Make the space bigger -- in transition too slow to create space and move to support player on the ball. Futsal and its rules demands quicker thinking & reaction.
Offer clear passing lanes which reduce possibility of interception
Offer support from behind as an outlet and to balance play -- tendency to be too "square" in support. ANGLES!
3. Decision making -- many times overcomplicate play. see the play early and before receiving the ball to allow for a better decision/first touch to set up the play. Develop better mental pictures of the game to anticipate play and make better decisions:
-First touch into space away from the defender (know where defenders are)
-Movement away from defender (know where the defenders are)
-Movement in relation to teammates. Need to think about distance and angle of support (Know where teammates are)
Paul J.
