From Mark--a good strategy for our next games

Mark wrote me this, and I thought I'd forward his thoughts to the rest of the team:

"What a game last night. I thought our team played very well. Even though it was a close game, I feel like we dominated most of the game. The Strikers played a tight defensive game and really stacked the box, which is why we didn't score more goals. Their keeper did a great job as well.

Jason and I were talking this morning and I finally figured out a way to explain what we need to do--mainly because of what we did last night. We typically play a 2-1-2 style. But our team mostly gets into trouble when we play those positions only (without playing more of a combination of positions).

Here's the idea: First, we should always have 1 "true" forward who's always up front and a "true" defender that always stays back. The 2nd forward needs to have a mind set of "I am a forward/midfield player transitioning back and forth from a forward to a midfielder throughout the game", and the 2nd defender will play a combination of defender/midfielder as well. Last night, I saw a lot of that transition happening.

On the other end, there is the 1 constant defender, and then a 2nd defender who plays slightly forward with a defender/midfielder mentality. This 2nd defender needs to help keep the ball in our offensive half by cutting off quick counter attacks or just winning a 50/50 ball from one of our shots or a defensive clear. We will still have the "true" defender back right around midfield.

Last night, we did a great job of bringing the ball out of the back with great passes around their attacking players and not forcing or sending the ball too far forward. We had great patience and composure in the back and up front. We also did a fantastic job of keeping the ball in our offensive third by playing with the above mindset.

I think that if everyone understand and plays this way, it will help with a weakness in our game--where we often find a huge gap between the forwards and defenders. That type of gap makes it difficult for midfielders to work the ball around and go upfield. If we do this, it will make our team very dangerous on the turf.

I hope that makes a lot of sense and we continue to pick up where we left off last night. Great team game last night! We really overcame adversity well and kept our composure when we were down."