A Kind of Tactical Preview Of the WPS Super Semifinal

Boston Breakers/Philadelphia Independence matches have been known to produce some pretty wild moments like extraordinary goals from outside backs, fouls in the penalty area, goalkeeping howlers and improbable comebacks. This match-up has also denied amnesty for old knees and rubber running tracks either (see Kelly Smith, Frida Magnusdottir and August 28).

Tonight’s Super Semifinal could be set up for even more merriment. Who knows, the 2010 WPS Champion may very well be competing in this match. Expect fireworks.

Here are three tactical suggestions for each team.

 

Boston:

4-5-1!

After months of frustration and nine winless games to prove it, Tony DiCicco found the right formation. Jordan Angeli and Leslie Osborne would be the defensive buffer behind Fabiana, Kristine Lilly and Lindsay Tarpley. Smith would pull the strings in the prototypical #10 role and help out Lauren Cheney up top when need be. It was a pretty perfect set-up and there’s no reason to change it, even with the absence of Osborne. Expect either Laura del Rio or Liz Bogus to fill the void out wide that will be left by Tarpley, who has seemingly been shifted to central midfield. Much like the First Round game, this match will be decided in the midfield. Philadelphia’s midfielders will apply constant pressure on Boston’s creative players (namely Kelly Smith). Boston should expect this. Tarpley and Angeli should be prepared.

 

Take advantage of the narrow pitch and the noisy crowd.

It’s a bit of an injustice that the league’s best-attended team will be forced to play perhaps its most significant game (in the WPS era, that is) in the smallest ever stadium to hold a WPS game. The total capacity might be downsized but the atmosphere definitely won’t be. The Riptide will be out in full force for sure and 3,000 Breakers fans (do you think any Indy supporters will make the trip?) will be spiriting the team along throughout.

Additionally, to pick up on an earlier point, Boston should try to contend with Philadelphia’s immense physical pressure by pinging the ball out wide. The field will be quite narrow which might complicate this but the more you keep the ball away from the vortex that Philadelphia creates in the center of midfield the better. The Washington Freedom began their First Round match by spreading the ball out wide to Sarah Huffman and Sonia Bompastor but then they made a tactical switch, added a striker and forced the attack to come up through central channels. This played directly into Philadelphia’s hands and the Freedom rolled over and died in the second half (and extra time). Don’t do this, Boston. Use Alex Scott and Stephanie Cox to full effect if Kristine Lilly and whoever the left outside midfielder will be can’t get runs in from out wide.

 

Keep a constant eye on A-Rod.

And not just for 90 minutes but if need be, for every second of extra time. Rodriguez doesn’t seem too bothered by the DiCicco/black sheep/redemption drama. It’s the final game before the WPS Championship. She’s coming off a huge game-winning goal in the First Round and will be looking to prove that she can perform in the clutch as well. That’s all the incentive she’ll need.

A-Rod will be coming up against what is probably the second best defense in the league. Amy LePeilbet will probably be asked to cut off any possible runs. Ifeoma Dieke will add force if deemed necessary. Boston’s defense will need to be flawless and 100% focused throughout. Give A-Rod one chance and she’ll punish you.

 

For Philadelphia:

 

4-4-2!

As reader Josh commented on a previous post about the First Round game, Paul Riley rolled the dice in a way and abandoned his beloved 4-5-1 for a 4-4-2 with Tina DiMartino starting up top alongside Rodriguez. It seemed to work wonders as DiMartino threaded the game-winning assist to Rodriguez. Philadelphia loves to score and they’re capable of scoring from anywhere. Adding another striker (particularly one with the tenacity of DiMartino) balances out the side a little more and encourages even more attacking play. As long as Rodriguez and/or DiMartino can wade through Boston’s midfield they should be putting shots on frame.

 

Win the midfield with muscle.

This is the secret to Philadelphia’s success. The Independence loves to browbeat opposing midfielders and turn over possession in the middle of the park. Caroline Seger, Lori Lindsey and Jen Buczkowski (that looks mis-spelled) will be the school yard bullies. Holmfridur Magnusdottir will be obliged to help if called upon. It won’t be pretty but it’s been effective and that’s really all that matters.

 

Deploy Frida Magnusdottir on search and destroy missions.

The Icelandic international has been affectionately nicknamed ‘The Beast’ and/or ‘Magnus-slaughter’ and that’s really all you need to know. Kelly Smith is probably still aching from the beating she took from Magnusdottir when these two teams last met on August 28. Expect more of the same as Magnusdottir and Indy’s aforementioned mass of midfield menaces will likely target Smith, Lauren Cheney and anyone else who gets in their way. Magnusdottir can play at left back, outside midfield and up top and she very well might appear in all three positions tonight.

 

Ignore the prediction below.

Boston 3-1. Yellow cards, a penalty kick and a comeback will be involved. Ohhh goodness.