Soccer is a relatively simple sport when it comes to rules and basic game play, but strategies of the game can be quite complex. Simply put, the ultimate goal of soccer is to score in the other team’s goal and don’t let the other team score in yours.
However, there are countless ways to go about putting the ball in the back of the net, and the Riverhounds’ offensive strategy begins with gaining and keeping possession of the ball. But possession alone doesn’t score goals.
On June 6, the Hounds’ two-game winning streak was broken by Austin Bold FC, 1-0, at Highmark Stadium. Though the Hounds had 74 percent of possession and outshot Austin 10-4, they were unable to finish their opportunities.
Austin, on the other hand, approached the match with a more driven, direct mindset, attempting to play the ball over the heads of the Hounds’ defense for their forwards to run onto. Fifty-five seconds into the game, Collin Fernandez placed a volley from outside the box into the net to put Austin up by a goal. They only had three shots the remainder of the match, but they had their goal.
In the first half of that game, Pittsburgh had a tight grip on the ball, seeing 76.3 percent of possession but only having one prime opportunity. Forty minutes in, Danny Griffin sent a cross along the top of the box to Alex Dixon whose intent was to split Austin’s defenders, but the ball was deflected and then cleared away, ending any offensive threat by the Hounds.
The Hounds tried to get more direct in the second half, but they waited too long to raise the intensity and could not get a goal.
The Riverhounds continued their possession-based style of play, bringing the same tactics but a more aggressive mindset into their match June 12 against Miami FC. Once again, the Hounds outshot Miami, 10-4, and this time the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
The Hounds’ ninth-minute goal reflected exactly that of what they had been practicing throughout the week leading up to game day.
Dixon made a striking run down the left side of the field where he received a pass from Albert Dikwa, drove to the end line and patiently waited for runners to make their way to the box. Dixon sent a ball on the ground to Russell Cicerone, who sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net on his first touch.
Patience and possession with purpose, the two principles that the Hounds place a large emphasis on within their play, finally paid off.
If it weren’t for an offside call, Pittsburgh would have had a first on the scoreboard less than a minute into the match, when a lofted ball was sent over Miami’s defense onto the foot of Dikwa, who easily found the back of the net.
The second half saw more of the same, as the Hounds continued to get in dangerous positions and created a trio of moments where a penalty kick could have been given, but the finishing touch just wasn’t there.
Though the Hounds’ have been unable to obtain three points in their last two games, their aim will be to continue to possess and find opportunities against Indy Eleven on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
If they remain patient and possess while attempting to put a ball or two into the back of the net, in time, their tactics should pay off.
