Fall 2013 MDL Scouting Report

    Our 00's and 99's just got back from the Fall Scouting Showcase in Waukegan.  The boys were accepted into the NPL/MDL for the 2013-14 season.  This league only accepts the best clubs from Oklahoma to Minnesota, Ohio to Illinois.  Many of the clubs in this league are in the USSDA and they are placing their Pre-Academy teams in and 2nd teams.  We are fortunate to have been accepted.

    Over the weekend we had our first taste at the showcase event in which scouts from US Soccer were evaluating talent for the national teams.  The level of play was very high across the board.  I felt it important to share what we saw technically and tactically as well as club themes.

    Tactically:

    Many teams were playing a 4-3-3, with a flat back four.  Goalkeepers were playing very high off their line.  Goalkeepers almost never punted the ball.  It was always a race to see how fast they could play the ball out of their hands and get it into the feet of an outside back.  Teams played possession style and used the full width of the field.  It was not uncommon to see players playing touchline to touchline.  The point of attack was changed frequently with a lot of combination play.  Central strikers often played back to goal combining with midfields to slot balls behind back lines.  All the teams tried to play, no one was playing kick ball.  You never heard "Boot it" or "Send it" from coaching staffs.  Clubs played the same way.  The younger teams mirrored what the older teams were doing.

    Technically:

    The technical proficiency of all 11 players was solid.  Central players were able to deal with balls in the air and the ground.  Defenders were very good 1v1.  The work rate of players was sky high.  Not one player was caught walking.  Keepers were very good in 1v1 with opposing strikers.  Midfielders and forwards had a very good pace and the ability to break defenders down 1v1.  Players were very patient on the ball and did not force bad situations.  The weight of the passes and ability to put them in tight spaces was good.

    I could not be more excited to be playing in this league.  Putting our players under the microscope every match and asking the tough questions.  Asking players to rise to the level and take the next step.  There will not be 1 easy match for any of these boys this fall.  The mix of players on the 2 squads come from a wide variety of backgrounds.  On the 99's there are starting players who just 2 years ago were on Campton Red teams.  Both teams are full of players who were/are on white teams.  Follow the league if you like: http://www.nationalpremierleagues.com/MDL/Schedules/index_E.html

Michael Arango
Boys Director of Coaching