Post Match Thoughts Racing 1 Dash 0
Courtesy of EM Dash Photography
There will be many articles that deservedly talk about Ebony Salmon's solo effort, so I want to focus my post match thoughts on Racing's midfield. Honestly, the midfield was probably a weak spot going into this match based on previous performances. The possession battle is won in the midfield and other than the KC game, the possession numbers have been dreadful. Today was a completely different story.
I wouldn't go so far as to say that Racing bossed the midfield. The possession splits were about 50/50, with the Dash having huge spells of uninterrupted possession. The most glaring and dangerous one occurred from about the 28th minute until the hydration break around the 34th minute. The Dash looked to have scored at one point, but that goal by Sanchez was rightly ruled offside, after a fabulous save by Betos on the initial effort. In the last few minutes, the team sat back a little and absorbed pressure, rightly so protecting a 1-0 lead.
Other than those two spells, Racing did well in possession and also fought to win possession in the middle of the pitch. One of the things that I think Gemma Bonner will bring to the team is her ability to read danger higher up the pitch. More than once she ventured into the middle third to win a crucial tackle to stop or slow down an attack. In previous games, the opponents seemed to sometimes take the express lane through the middle third and set up camp in the final third. Bonner set a good example of not surrendering huge sections of the pitch, just to play it “safe”.
McCaskill was her usual feisty self. Occasionally she dwelt on the ball a bit much for my liking, but nevertheless showed her usual work ethic, which is always terrific. Milliet playing higher up the pitch that in previous matches, at least to my eyes, caused Houston real problems early in the match. She registered a couple of shots, at least one on target to my recollection. She also covered a ton of ground all over the pitch. It was probably her best performance in a Racing kit.
Without a doubt, Sunday afternoon was Freja Olofsson's best performance. From the first few minutes, I kept a close watch on her, because she looked like she had something to prove from the beginning of the match. The stats have her with a 78% passing accuracy, which I am sure is correct. However, her off the ball performance was a delight. Whenever the ball was near her and not in her possession, she put forward every effort to win it. She took possession away from Houston in the middle of the field more than a couple of times. If she lost possession, she always fought to win it back. I think she slowed down several Dash attacks and after a while, I think the Dash midfield was looking over their shoulders in fear of another tough challenge, which she often provided. The general public will usually favor a goal scoring performance, but I thought she was the player of the match hands down. It was a really encouraging performance.
A little bit on Salmon. If the rest of the NWSL isn't already shaking in their boots at the sight of her, then they soon will be. She took up the #9 role and did exactly what you expect a world class #9 to do: be strong on the ball, be good with your back to the goal, and be selfish. That last one may get on people's nerves from time-to-time, but that's what's needed. She wants to score and she wants to score in bunches. I’m betting she will.
M
