Phoenix Rising fans take in a game at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on April 29, 2017 (Aaron Blau/Firebird Soccer)
The first game of the season is in the books for Phoenix Rising FC and it may have left a little something to be desired. Usually I like to save my “overreacting” for preseason but with so little tape on PRFC in 2018, let’s make an exception. Keep in mind, it’s called “Overreactions” for a reason. Let’s freak out a little bit about the first game.
Drogba will miss a ton of games
One game in and no Didier Drogba in the 18. It is his final season before retirement and no word if he picked up some sort of knock or he simply didn’t want to play in the rain in Southern California. He did just turn 40 a week ago so to expect a ton of minutes is probably not realistic, but the team sure looked lost at times without him.
Jason Johnson isn’t a center forward
With Drogba out of the lineup, the obvious second choice for CF in my mind was Kevaughn Frater. But instead, he started the night on the bench and Jason Johnson played center forward. From the No. 9 role, JJ was basically 100% ineffective. Once Frater came on in the second half and Johnson slid over to the wing, he looked much more comfortable and was able to use his speed so much better.
What formation was that?
While watching the YouTube stream, the USL announced the formation as a 4-3-2-1. Obviously one look said that wasn’t what was going on. Last season Phoenix used a 4-2-3-1 quite a bit with a good deal of success, but that didn’t seem right either, as Colin Fernandez was playing a more traditional box-to-box midfielder role. After a bit, it became clear they were in a 4-3-3 with the traditional back four, Kevon Lambert in the holding midfielder role, Fernandez as the No. 8 and Gladson Awako as the No. 10 (the numbers they actually wear). That left Johnson (as mentioned about at No. 9) and Billy Forbes and Solomon Asante on the wings. What was silly is after the game I went on Twitter and Phoenix Rising had tweeted out that’d the formation they were using. Whoops!
Tonight's @FoothillsRehab formation as we begin! @guerrierblanc is trotting out a 4-3-3
STREAM: https://t.co/Q7ed8j5ljz#RisingAsOne | #PHXvOC pic.twitter.com/9WGN9OOUth
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) March 18, 2018
Lambert may lose his spot
If the team stays in a 4-3-3 formation, the No. 6 role, or holding midfielder is critically important. If Lambert plays like he did again, he won’t be keeping that job long. The holding mid must shield the backline (which he did fairly well) and distribute with precision out of the back (which he failed miserably at). USLsoccer.com doesn’t have Opta stats available to know how bad, but my eyes tell me it was really poor. The team overall only had a 68.2% passing accuracy, which is pretty atrocious.
The man that could take his job could be new signing James Musa, who played for last year’s Western Conference Champion Swope Park Rangers (and a tick for their MLS overloads, Sporting Kansas City). He plays the same role and played it in a 4-3-3 all last year for SPR and SKC.
Another 4-3-3 flaw
The 4-3-3 brings the need for two wingers, but they have to track back and play good defense. That’s something I didn’t see out of Forbes. He was often walking back when his team didn’t have possession. That’s the mark of a true forward, someone that wants to stay forward and score or create goals. The problem is, in a 4-3-3 he needs to play more defense. At least his offense looked pretty good with that assist to Asante. Asante did much better at tracking back, but looked quite tired when he came off for Frater.
PRFC may have too many forwards
In a world where everyone wants to score goals, it’s possible Phoenix Rising just has too many forwards and may be lacking depth elsewhere. Without a doubt Drogba, Chris Cortez, Forbes, Frater and Johnson are all forwards. It could be argued Asante and Alessandro Riggi are forwards as well, if not at least wingers (which are forwards in a 4-3-3). Drogba has shown the ability to play the No. 10 role under a center forward, though he’s much more of a deeper lying second forward. I’m not sure any of those other guys can play in the midfield. Cortez was forced into that role on Saturday and he looked lost. For me, it’d make more sense to put him in a CF and drop Frater back to defend, because at least he’s quick.
Midfield depth could be a concern because of the forwards, but the real issue is probably center back depth. Beyond Mike da Fonte, Doueuegi Mala and Joe Farrell, there really isn’t another CB on the roster. Amadou Dia and Kody Wakasa have been forced into that role, but feel like fullbacks. I’d be surprised if the team was done making signings.
Overall on Saturday, the team looked sloppy. It is only the first game of the season and things will surely come together, but it wasn’t a great start. Phoenix will have a chance to get the full three points when they return home next Saturday for their 2018 home opener.
