North Carolina 1 Louisville 0 Post Match Thoughts
Courtesy USA Today Sports Images
I have some kind of self-imposed duty to write my thoughts about every match, but if I've ever been tempted to skip a match, this one gave me the strongest urge. The main reason behind this is that both matches against North Carolina this year have just been “one of the games”. Louisville didn't play particularly poorly or well, so that usually means that you leave the outcome to chance.
I believe that both teams yesterday would have been fairly satisfied with the tactical execution during the match. Louisville looked comfortable ceding possession for large sections of the match and the Courage were pretty content with the lion's share of it. I thought Louisville defended well for the most part, with only the scrappy goal from Lussi finding its way in. Erceg was my player of the match, due mostly to her preventing a second gaol late in the match, even though she was very good throughout. Another thing that I noticed was that Milliet looked particularly quick getting to the hall on defense. In addition, Pikkujämsä had the chance to show off her pace too making a late recovery to stop a chance for North Carolina. Even though Louisville's goal prevention streak is over, the defense looked as solid as it has been over the last few weeks.
Once again, Louisville doesn't look like it can break down a defense with clinical precision, so that means that the goals will need to come from set pieces, defensive mistakes by their opponents, a scrappy goal like the Courage were able to get, quick counters, or defensive splitting passes. Louisville's best chance came late on one of those defensive splitting passes from Milliet to Goins. Parker came tantalizingly close to finding the equalizer and scoring from the bench again, but her effort was just wide.
Breaking down an opponent requires the quick/fast conundrum. You should always play quickly but never rushed. Louisville seemed like its attack lacked that little bit of urgency and composure. Patience and quickness may seem like distant cousins at first glance, but it's basically how predators get their prey. Maybe it's better said that it's decisiveness and precision are the key to breaking down the opposition. Simply said in footballing terms, the passes need to be quicker, more accurate, and more purposeful. Louisville seems to be caught to some degree in a reliance on Kgatlana to lead the attack and DeMelo to get the goals. Both of those players will soon be gone for a while, so Louisville will get plenty of opportunity to see if they can figure out a different way to win.
Björkegren decided to do a full swap of his forwards all of once. Kgatlana was getting very close to committing a second yellow, and I thought he pulled her just in time. I don't know if I am a fan of the 3 subs at once approach, but I will say that the attack didn't really get better or worse. I think mixing up the forwards some more may be warranted. I would like to see Goins in with Kgatlana again. Wang simply isn't consistent enough up front and I have been saying for a while that she needs to drop into the number 10 role. Björkegren will have to experiment some in the coming weeks.
