RSL's Poor Pressure versus LA

Saturday featured a battle between two teams with similar standings on the table but vastly different underlying numbers. The LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake came into the game boasting a healthy 1.8 and 2.3 points per game, respectively. The numbers hinted that the two teams came about those marks in very different ways, however. LA had posted a league leading xG differential of about 6.9, hoisted primarily by their astonishing 3.44 xG against, by far the best in the league. RSL’s defense was not exactly as strong. They compiled 9.5 xG against through six games while only conceding six actual goals which was cause for some concern. RSL wasn’t “due” for last Saturday's 5 goal stomping but their defense wasn’t as solid as it may have seemed.

High Line, Low Pressure - Throughout the game, RSL demonstrated the difference between a defense playing with a high block and a defense playing a high press. Yes, RSL set up deep in LA’s half when the Galaxy’s defenders and center midfielders were on the ball yet they didn’t look to win the ball back high up the field. Instead they kind of, um, just stood around.

Data from fourfourtwo.com

Sequences like these were exceedingly common in the first half. Yura Movsisyan, Burrito Martinez and Luke Mulholland would come deep into LA’s half to try and restrict distribution to the center midfield. They rarely put significant pressure on the defenders, though, and allowed Jelle Van Damme space to play long balls up to Gyasi Zardes and Emmanuel Boatang. Above is a chart of LA’s first half long balls. That the Galaxy were able to complete so many in and around RSL’s box should come as a huge concern for Jeff Cassar’s side.

Anytime you play such a high line, direct passes to speedy wingers or no 9s who can nod the ball down are always a concern. Generally how a team mitigates that concern is by pressuring the opponent’s backline and not allowing them enough space to accurately pick out those long balls. If the opponent does manage to get direct pass over the top of high pressing team’s backline off, the fullbacks need to be quick enough to track opposing wingers or the centerbacks need to be strong enough to hassle the center forwards. RSL has neither of these. Tony Beltran and Chris Wingert are not known for their pace while Aaron Maund and Jamison Olave aren’t exactly Matt Miazga or Matt Besler.

Aaron Maund gets completely bodied by Dos Santos, whom he has 2 inches and 30 pounds on. pic.twitter.com/PfXkyjG49v

— The High Press (@HighPressBlog) April 28, 2016

Boatang consistently burned Beltran with his pace while Zardes and even Gio Dos Santos muscled Maund off the ball. Additionally, with RSL’s midfield pushed so high, the backline was frequently left completely exposed. Simple cutbacks and faked shots often sent Maund and Olave flying, opening up huge amounts of space for LA’s attackers to operate in. When your team's biggest weakness is at centerback, playing a defensive system that leaves them isolated against opposing forwards isn't generally going to end well.

Conclusion - If Jeff Cassar intends on continuing to play a high line with this RSL squad they must either learn to apply better pressure high up the field or upgrade virtually their entire backline. Otherwise opposing teams will continue to torment them by launching direct passes. Improving their defense is paramount with the oft-injured Joao Plata missing from their attack. With the diminutive Ecuadorian on the field, Real Salt Lake’s offense can buoy a subpar defense. When he’s missing time and replaced with the likes of Jordan Allen or Demar Phillips that attack takes a huge hit. If Real Salt Lake intend avoiding a slump following their hot start, they'll need to address their defensive deficiencies.