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USL Insights – Sacramento’s Creative Patch

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/04/17, 9:59AM EDT

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Experience of Hall, Klimenta paid off in duo’s center back performance


Photo courtesy Sacramento Republic FC

As strong as Sacramento Republic FC looked on paper at various positions coming into the season, center back had the potential to be an Achilles' heel for Head Coach Paul Buckle’s side. The departure of Mike Da Fonte early in the season, following those of Chris Christian – until his recent return – and Derek Foran in the offseason, left Sacramento looking thin on the back line.

While Christian was brought back last week, it left Buckle with a quandary as to how to handle Orange County SC’s attack on Saturday night. He did so in a slightly unconventional manner that paid off handsomely in a 4-0 victory by utilizing the veteran experience of Jeremy Hall and Emrah Klimenta.

Neither Hall nor Klimenta has played much – if any – center back during their careers. Klimenta’s ability to drive forward from right back has been a hallmark for Republic FC squads since their inaugural season, while Hall has typically been a holding midfielder or fullback in both Major League Soccer and elsewhere.

The strong positional sense both possess came to the fore on Saturday, though, as they were often able to break up attacks before they fully got going, limiting Orange County to only 12 touches in the Republic FC penalty area. Hall in particular did well getting pressure higher up the field, as seen in the action map below, while Klimenta offered cover and made more clearances (10) while winning the only tackle he contested.

It’s highly likely that Saturday’s game was a temporary solution. With Christian coming back into the fold and getting back up to speed, a potential partnership with Julius James is likely in the offing that will allow Hall and Klimenta to return to their more traditional roles.

Jeremy Hall (22) & Emrah Klimenta (23)
Defensive Plays vs. Orange County

With three games coming up in the next week on the road against Tulsa, OKC and Swope Park, though, it might not be too surprising if we see this combination on the back line again soon.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF: Already up a goal against Toronto FC II on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rowdies got a brief man-advantage when defender Lars Eckenrode was sidelined in the 18th minute. Before Brandon Onkony could be brought on as his replacement, the hosts at Al Lang Stadium took advantage perfectly as their patience in a 25-pass move illustrated below by the Rowdies’ video team ended up with the ball at Georgi Hristov’s feet for his second goal in as many games.

The players who played the final two decisive roles in the goal before Hristov’s finish were Michael Nachoff (pass) and Leo Fernandes (dummy), both of whom have started the season strongly. Nanchoff’s two assists on Saturday have been supplemented by nine other chances created in the opening two games, while also completing passes at an 82 percent clip.

While Nanchoff is doing his work by moving the ball quickly, offseason addition Fernandes is doing his with the ball at this feet. The former Philadelphia Union player has recorded five successful dribbles as he’s looked to combine down the left side with fellow newcomer Luke Boden.

Fernandes has yet to record a shot this season, which will be the final piece of the puzzle, but his ability to beat his man and pull an opposing defender toward him will only create more space in the penalty area for Hristov and Joe Cole, two people as an opponent you definitely don’t want to see with a clear view on goal.

NUMBERS UP: Tampa Bay and FC Cincinnati have played very similar 4-2-3-1 systems so far this season, but Cincinnati hasn’t so far looked as effective in the final third as the Rowdies with the scoring load resting on Djiby Fall’s shoulders. That has been in part because of a lack of penetration in the penalty area by the three supporting midfielders, this past Saturday in Pittsburgh the trio of Jimmy McLaughlin, Andrew Wiedeman and Kadeem Dacres.

Compare below their heat map against a Pittsburgh side that played the entire second half with 10 men with that of the Rowdies’ Joe Cole, Michael Nanchoff and Leo Fernandes against Toronto FC II on Saturday.

Cincinnati Attacking Midfield
Heat Map vs. Pittsburgh

Tampa Bay Attacking Midfield
Heat Map vs. Toronto

Cincinnati has scored two goals on 31 shots so far this season, with 16 of those efforts coming from outside the penalty area. Getting additional movement into the penalty area should be a priority as the side completes its road trip on Sunday against Bethlehem Steel FC.

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