US v TNT WOSO U-17's
US into the area in about 30 seconds and the ball off the end line goes out of play for a goal kick. US steals the long ball and right back to the area. TNT throw leads to a US throw. US into their back field then played to the feet of the opponent. US gets a shot on goal, it is now their ball again at midfield. Lead ball on the left wing, on the ground to the 6 and cleared out, US throw. Every ball contested, yet the US gets it across the field into the area a shot near the penalty area is out for a corner, on goal off a headed ball goes the 2nd ball parried away as it was right at the GK and a TNT player is down in the area. TNT are short handed for now. A US throw coming in the TNT third, now TNT has it coming out. US deep throw now at 8' way back it goes to the center circle and just as fast it is maybe 25 yards out then lost into the US half it goes to the GK. Into the area for a player at the top of it a shot from the top of the arc, rather high. Saved off the goal line then the same defender blocks the rebounded shot. In and out for the US now top of the arc, not handled well it pops up high is lost, cleared then recovered and now back into the TNT third. TNT are still pressing, contesting every ball, they take one then a lead ball a bit too far US throw just in their half. High ball cross and it get taken first time but not much on it and at the netminder. From the endline to the 6, player reaches for it getting not much on it. A distant shot clears the goal by a lot. Looking to go outside sends the ball out of touch TNT throw deep in their end. US steals moving the ball well out wide now, far back to the top of the circle and then across it. Sent goalward and mishandled by the TNT GK leads to a corner. Great dummy gets a goal by the US at 17' but off side is calling it back. A great ball in finds the head of Johnson, defense heads it away and a US player is down, holding her knee, the opponent got around and caught her knee just enough. The player is helped off the field and lays down again, as the commentator states it is a good sign she walks out, it means nothing the ACL could be gone still. A miscommunication near the touchline about ten yards out for the TNT goal, and the US holds, the player is out for the duration, a sub awaits entry. US corner and now on is Mckeen for Curie, Mckeen was an injury replacement addition to the roster. A ball in goes far over all and out the other touchline. US now with a deep throw near the corner flag. Into the 6 and of course with all the defenders back, they clear it out, right back again and offside on US. A lead ball to not a soul goes out, over the goal line, goal kick TNT on the way. A poor cross is run down as the US keeps possession. The ball has been on the left side for most of the game for the US, narrowing the field in a big way, making it easier to defend in just a quarter of the total space. Another ball forward not too near a US player is out for a goal kick. TNT into the US half and the crowd gets loud. Shot from the 6, TNT blocks it out over the end line. The corner goes to the near post boxed out to the US at the top of the are, sent in weakly. Lead ball is taken by the GK just beyond the 6. TNT over the top, offside as the US gains possession again, no call. TNT with a DFK just at the top of the circle, into the US area, the GK grabs it and distributes so quickly. Corner number 5 for the visitors at 34'. TNT almost gets to the center circle as the fans make their presence felt. A goal kick coming it is taken short, why for the pressure of the US, get it out of there, it goes out of play. From the top right of the box it is high shot taken by a player out of Legends FC a big club in KC run by Andy Barney who had worked out the Shep Messing Soccer World in Syosset some 35+ years ago and with Legends hired his school mate and current USSF Technical Director, Matt Crocker. An errant pass by TNT taken just at the defensive third of the US they are in the area of TNT, a shot blocked then blocked over the frame, into the 6, bouncing around then out. Another shot well taken, but again high, is there something in the scouting indicating the US should shoot high? Endline cut back to the top of the area a shot is blocked, US holds. Top of the area a blast by the US blocked by the defense. Still so tilted in attack to the left side by the US. A cutback run in the area, should have been laid off as it is lost in the area. A scooped ball forward is offside as it was played in by the US. TNT about 40 yards out now have a DFK and the noise level rises, at 42', it is still 0-0, can TNT steal one very late as the US set up at the 18. Taken short and taken down by the wall and TNT recovers the ball offside. The GK puts in back in play from the bottom of the circle, another shot and it goes wide left for the US from quite a bit from goal. DFK US from 30 yards is nodded on goal but gathered in by the GK without issue. One minute of added time to go. Just wide left by the US on a shot just before the whistle on another first time shot.
The US has to use the full width of the field, just the one side is really playing into the hands of TNT who are in a low block. The commentator states the issue is the low block being hard to get through, no, playing in 1/4 of the field allows your defenders to just clog up space. TN on the rare occasions they have gotten forward need to do so with numbers, shorter passes coming up as a few have just simply gone too long and to the US defenders.
The 23 shots of the US got them to the same score as the zero by TNT. With 3 subs for the US I find it so curious TNT makes none, if this trio energizes the US at all it could have tired legs of TNT vulnerable. In the US half, well in a player hits a hard, long ball to nowhere for TNT, go to goal. In the opening 2 minutes, TNT may have more offense than all of the first half. US with a move gets a few TNT off her then into the area and it is blocked away, now off the left side again the US are already holding the ball. Johnson goes inside it is deflected. Literally 7 defenders deep in the area the ball on the wing cannot find a home so the US go way back with it. Another half dozen plus as a blind ball goes into the area to a red shirt, not much of a chance of anyone else getting it. At 51' the first corner of the half by the US, taken into the 6, a bit high for Johnson and it is over the frame. From 30 yards the US is again very high on a hopeful shot. The goal kick is won by the US but goes out for a throw. Top of the area blocked by TNT. TNT with a 2v3 the GK comes out to clear it for a throw in the US half. Here is where getting numbers forward would have helped, keeping the GK home and having a numerical advantage. A challenge is lost but the first corner won at 57' for TNT. Johnson leads the charge on the counter and that is lost in the area for a goal kick. A poor shot from about 15 yards had no chance. An unforced error is squandered by TNT as they win the ball with room and just play it out and the US take it back, make a pass, carry. TNT challenging deep in the US end, fails they get it to half field and more now, the ball in defended out and it gets to the US GK. Again US offside and it is in the back of the net, it was off but not by a lot. Into the area but the forward was not able to send it home for the US at 61' a first time ball, in stride but nothing to show for it. Another US shot deflected but right into the arms of the GK for TNT. The US makes 4 subs while the Soca Warriors stand pat still. Into the area, 2nd touch does not work,now Anderson able to poke in in after a fashion at 64' as she tucks away a deflection. A poor ball in by the US and boomed out by the defense. At 67' first sub by TNT, with 3 games in a week so many have gone so long. Johnson looks to go endline but offside. Another unforced error TNT this time as they got forward a lead pass far to far. A throw in not handled well by the US leads to a foul and a DFK just in their own half for TNT. Less than 20' to play who strikes next? Still dominant on the left side of the field, US attacker goes down in the area, no call. Three passes none handled cleanly by the US, again left side, cuts it back 2 defenders defend it out and corner #7 for the US, Near the penalty mark and headed out by the US. Some great passing to get into the area then the US get fancy it is played out they recover and lose it. Again TNT has it with a chance, it is like they are icing the ball? TNT welcomes a 14 year old off the field as a player for the Orlando City Academy enters. US with another corner. Headed on goal by the US bit the GK is more than up to the task as it was headed right at her. Now for corner #10 double digits impressive. Far post finds Johnson who wills it into the far netting at 78'. With a set piece they have just done what the senior national team has not done in years, scored off a set piece. A great through ball for Anderson who does not pull the trigger but rather keeps moving drifting from goal. TNT makes their 3rd change at 81'. Into 3 red tops and one white the US lose it in the area. Again with room and the GK right at the circle TNT has it and clears, but not to try on goal. Again a shot for the US over the goal, I expect a lot of finishing to be done next training session. A ball in goes right out for the US and a Goal Kick for TNT. Down the right wing into Anderson but just too far forward for her. TNT with a DFK, US watches it into the area, a nutmeg then cleared out by the US. Again the right side for the US, a nice run the ball in is well off its mark in the 6. Why announce a crowd of under 600? Johnson with a great move into the area and a very high shot by the US. The goal kick is stolen and shot from a distance, a dart on the ground for what will most likely be the final score line of 3-0, into the lower left corner, that is how you beat a low block! A quartet of minutes of extra time to be played. Rodriguez with a long curling shot from beyond the area, saved for yet another corner, to the top of the 6 and off the post from a header. Why not, a dozen corners for the US, into the area and again way high over the goal. Now a bakers dozen of corners.