by COLEMAN LARNED

Lead Analyst

Orlando City came to New York and attempted to avoid the initial struggle teams usually endure during the first 15 minutes of a match away at NYCFC by pressing high with a 3-4-3 formation.

Although they were originally successful, Orlando was ultimately outdone by poor back post marking, NYCFC’s finishing quality and Poku’s ability to retain possession, turn and drive at defenders with runs transitioning from the middle to final third of the pitch.

Jason Kreis has had to manage a team in transition, with many new players entering the fold and replacing inferior teammates. The two areas specifically affected continued to be addressed in the match against Orlando: outside defenders and eventually in central midfield.

Angelino and Iraola got there second start at LB and RB respectively (replacing the inferior Allen and Wingert) as Wingert and Facey created the CB pairing. Although Jacobson and Ballouchy played in central midfield to start the game, the second half introduction of Andrea Pirlo and impending implementation of Frank Lampard raise questions as to how Kreis is going to mold his interior midfield.

Adrian Heath was banned from the sideline, and watched in a tactically advantageous, raised position, but presumably setup his side in a new 3-4-3 shape. The geometric intent was clear: to press NYCFC high by overloading the middle and final thirds to reciprocate NYCFC’s initial pressure of shape, intensity and field dimensions. The formation also allowed for more offensive players to be in close proximity to Kaka, who consistently looks to combine and bounce passes off of teammates to create his own space to operate.

Angelino and Iraola are considerable upgrades at LB/RB for NYFC

There’s no debating this; both have better strengths and less glaring weaknesses in every defensive category then their predecessors. Compared to RJ Allen, Jeb Brovsky, Chris Wingert and others who have played outside back for NYCFC, both Angelino and Iraola are more comfortable in possession, competent in defending 1v1 situations, are able to pose wide and offensive threats, as well as play dynamic crosses from multiple depths.

In NYCFC’s past 2 matches Angelino has had a combined 122 touches and 41.5% of NYCFC’s offensive direction (leading NYCFC in both games in total touches), and provides an outside defender who is competent in deep areas, able to outpace his defender, usually choosing the correct cross timing to give his forwards the best chance for ball contact (see his assist on David Villa).

Angelino was able to pin Avila back into his half most of the game, and made Aurelien Collin look like a pedestrian defender, exposing his back post many times throughout the match (more on Orlando’s poor back post defending later).

Poku provides possession and drive in transition from middle to final third

Questions surrounding NYCFC’s Poku have never been about physical presence, work rate or potential, but always around technical ability in tight spaces and consistency. Against one of the best CDM players in the league (Ceren), Poku was able to find spaces in between Orlando’s vertical lines and horizontal defending blocks, face defenders on the half turn and successfully drive at the back three with pace and deft decision making.

The first example was the beginning stages of Villa’s 67′ goal, started by Poku receiving the ball just beyond midfield, turning with a single touch and bursting by Orlando’s midfield. Because of his drive, two defenders consequently collapsed on the ball, thus opening space for his far side attacker, Villa, who had room to contribute and finish.

In the second example, Poku had much more to do, as he similary turns but then bursts beyond three defenders and draws two more defenders towards his drive. McNamara was waiting at the far post, completely unmarked for the finish.

Irresponsible weak side (back post) defending from both sides; Orlando struggles with three at the back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI1Lf9CjupU

5 of the 8 total goals in the match were finished at the back post with little to no defender in sight.

NYCFC’s 2nd goal in the 53′ was finished by Calle from a cross by McNamara at the back post as Orlando’s Collin and Avila were distracted towards the same withdrawn run from Villa, leaving Calle completely unmarked at the back post.

Orlando’s 2nd goal, and Larin’s 2nd as well, came from a splitting ball by Ceren to Rivas who crossed to an open Larin in the box; Facey was caught guessing at a withdrawn run towards the near post by Larin. Instead the Orlando forward continued his run to the back post and ended up with an easy one touch finish.

A less obvious selection was Villas goal in the 71′, but Colin (who was defending Villa) was drawn too narrow and neglected two NYCFC attackers on the left flank. Villa received the ball with Colin having to turn, sprint and eventually lost his footing, leaving Villa with a clear chance on goal.

NYCFC’s 4th goal was the result of one of Poku’s drives that once again found Colin tucking too narrow to compensate for his other defenders, leaving McNamara with half of the 18 yard box to himself and finished to practically seal the game for the home side.

Although late in the game and a result of Orlando committing men forward, Diskerud was found at the back post in a 3v1 offensive situation and finished for NYCFC’s 5th and final goal of the match.

A game with eight goals scored might be entertaining, but it’s a tactical nightmare for either coach. Orlando introduced a new 3-4-3 formation which accomplished most of its defensive goals in the first half, but didn’t produce the offensive results that are crucial to the commitment of such a shape. NYCFC took advantage of the lack of numbers across Orlando’s defensive line in the second half, which was a result of Poku’s ability to retain possession in deep midfield pockets and progress with determination, and NYCFC’s efficiency in the final third from a multitude of angles.