By Danny Contreras
Following the dominant way in which the women’s soccer program at CCSU defeated Monmouth at home, it is safe to say that the Blue Devils are NEC title contenders.
The team’s playing style is similar to Spanish soccer: keep possession and build up attacks from the back. The style was exemplified during this year’s World Cup in which Spain came out as victors. And the formula works. Each player is as important to the team as the goal that gives them the victories. It’s not the designated player; it’s the sum of all parts.
Why does it work? The formula works because the style of soccer that the Blue Devils use, give them a lot of width and space — by the same token it closes down gaps in the back, preventing attacks from the opponents.
The style was showcased in last Sunday’s game against Monmouth. The events that led to the first goal was undeniably some of the best soccer we’ve seen this season: the midfielders passed the ball around them and the back-line which drew the Monmouth strikers and defenders into the midfield. Then a sly yet perfectly placed through ball from the midfield put CCSU on goal and the tired, inpatient Monmouth fouled the Blue Devil striker into a free-kick.
The direct free kick was taken by Jewel Robinson who, because of the way she swerved the ball around the Monmouth wall and gave CCSU the first goal, anyone would think is a striker. Then on the 89th minute, a similar passing game was the precedent for Beth Lloyd’s goal who drilled the ball past the goalkeeper to seal the victory.
This style of play is called total-football, and although CCSU does not employ a direct copy of it—it is a rather different style with elements of total-football. It definitely shows the beauty of the game and the program we are running here.
For those who don’t know total-football is a soccer philosophy employed by Dutch team Ajax. The philosophy has since been adopted by teams like Barcelona in Spain and Arsenal in England in the domestic level, while the Netherlands National Soccer team and the Spain National Soccer team in the international level.
But what is total-football? Total-football is the idea that every player in a team can do the role of his teammates. Basically, a striker can play, and play efficiently, the roles of midfielders and defenders. The same goes for defenders and midfielders. It is a tough, physically and mentally demanding style of play which requires a team-base that has like-mindedness.
The Blue Devils don’t necessarily play total-football to the bone — CCSU has innovated the style of play. The team has integrated the style of American soccer which has been showcased by teams like Real Salt Lake which is a very physical style of soccer who tries to win the ball in the midfield. In addition they employ British tactics of attack, which relies on building up counter attacks from the midfield.
When you combine total-football, physicality, and midfield-built attacks, you have a team that is resilient, with the desire to win. After all, they train their bodies to create rhythms in the game that lead to their victory. This is the philosophy the CCSU women’s soccer is cultivating. They are showcasing the beauty of the beautiful game.
