DC United v Orlando City: In-game adjustments, late execution

The Orlando City vs DC United game had several examples of how in-game changes can be critical. Some showed finesse, others proved fatal.

A recent look at formations and squad depth explored how decisions made before the game can decide a result. Now let’s look at how in-game coaching instructions and player execution is crucial to success. The Orlando City vs DC United game had several examples. Some showed finesse, others proved fatal.

Situational awareness informs a player what sacrifice the game is asking of him for the benefit of the team. A player must be smart enough to understand the game’s questions, and willing to sacrifice the effort towards success in those situations.

Tactical foundations build towards connected team play. Effort and execution cannot wane at the professional level. Weaknesses will be found out. Points are won and lost one in these margins.

In a 4-1-4-1 block of lines, DC United set up to defend deep playing away to Orlando City. Teams that do so look to score from counterattacks and set pieces. When Yamil Asad put DC United up 1-0 in the 39^th minute, coach Ben Olsen’s initial tactics were validated. A Victor Giro red card for violent conduct in the 41^st would leave OCSC further disadvantaged going into halftime.

Though down a goal at halftime, Jason Kries’s adjustments helping OCSC to win the possession, passing, and attacking area stats by some margin, especially dominating in the second half. Olsen had stood pat with the deep lying concede-and-counter tactics.

Orlando dictated the terms in the second half, on the field and touchline. Orlando always made the first sub and seemingly won every first ball. Pinho came on in the 58th at forward for OCSC, DCU countered with fresh midfield legs in Ian Harkes.

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Kries added Richie Laryea for more attacking pace in the 66^th and moved Jonathan Spector to a right wing-back position.( It was from this position the team captain later created the tying goal). Olsen took off the ever-dangerous Asad in the 73^rd and replaced him with 18-year-old American Chris Durkin, his first ever appearance. DC United had siphoned off what attack they had by removing Asad.

The big tactical changes made, both coaches had to leave it to the players. This 79^th minute play by Orlano’s Mohamed El-Munir inspired the team and the crowd. Down a man, OCSC was growing in confidence and giving great effort.

The last subs were just sound fundamental subs. OCSC brought on RJ Allen for Scott Sutter in defense in the 81^st to have fresh legs as the last defender. At 85 minutes, Olsen gave Patrick Mullins the job being the DC United outlet for hold up play and taking balls to the corners.

Up 1-0 in the 89^th minute, Patrick Mullins was jogging onto a leading outlet pass with no pressure coming hard to the ball. He was just positioned just wide of the corner of the OCSC 18 yard box. Plenty of time, and his team needed to regroup. Perfect.

The smart situational play here would be hold it up or head to the corner. Take a touch to the endline and pull the ball back if you want to pull off some fancy moves for a camera, just do a couple and play a pass back to a supporting teammate.

Instead, Mullins hit a lazy first touch cross it to no one while doing little but jog back to our defensive position. This after being on for four minutes and just having received instructions. Orlando City regains possession and shape in the DC United half before Mullins is back in screen jogging off a passing lane.

DCU forward/attacking mid Ulises Segura was the deepest and widest defending player on his side. A long Orlando City side to side pass led to Jonathan Spector controlling the ball on the right wing and facing Segura, who had two players supporting behind him. Spector played a ball seven yards back infield and made a run past Segura. Segura simply walked. Oniel Fisher, the normal left back was caught inside and late to recover to his space. Pinho met Spector’s service and the equalizer that followed was celebrated like a game winner.

DC United came into Orlando and landed a decent shot in the first half. Orlando even suffered a self-inflicted wound. Kries responded by providing belief, ideas and initiative. His players gave effort and showed faith in the plan.

Olsen had one idea, and stuck to it, even though his team was being outplayed despite being up a man. His players responded apathetically to the situation of building pressure. The consequences being a couple of points lost, though even the point seems undeserved.

Next: MLS: Top 5 Goals From Matchweek 1

The players seemed to play as their coaches coached. It was seen in the teams’ efforts that led to the tying goal. DCU showed little initiative except to play for a tie or smash and grab 1-0 win. OCSC were missing multiple obvious starters and a field player yet looked the mostly likely to score for most of the game. When Pinho’s equalizer rippled the net, each teams’ adjustments and effort, or lack thereof, was rewarded.

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