Overall Takeaway

Boston's attack tonight was very anemic. On the other hand, Seattle was extremely efficient on the counter and beating Boston's defense with pace to make the possession chances they had really count. Despite ending with 41% possession, Seattle had 65% of the shots in the game (71% of the shots on target).

Bright Spots

Boston's press was overall pretty good I think. We were winning balls up the field and able to keep the ball in the attacking third for long stretches. Seattle found both their goals off quick transitions largely due to their difficulties with building up the play through Boston's press.

Room for Improvement

Two main things that I think Boston really needs to figure out for next season.

1. Dangerous possession - I feel like a broken record saying this, but Boston needs to convert possession into goal scoring opportunities. We have lots of great passers and runners on the field, but lack good finishers. Aissata is our lead scorer for the season, but I feel like that is just as much off of her endless hustle more than it is her clinical finishing. If Guti isn't able to step into this role like was expected, then Boston might need to look outside for an infusion of goalscoring threats.
2. Transitions after a turnover - Sometimes you will lose the ball on an errant pass...it's inevitable. I feel like Boston has improved at reducing the frequency with which this has happened somewhat. However, Boston majorly struggled with what comes after a turnover. Too many players are getting caught up the field without the pace to track back and cover. Also, there were a couple incidents of doubling an attacker on the wing while leaving a central attacker completely unmarked. There is a lot of room for improvement on how to better transition from an attack to defense to help break up and delay fast breaks against us.

Game Notes

• 2' - A great chance gotten off the press gone to waste from a bad touch by Smith. Hope this isn't a sign of more wasteful possession to come.
• 9' - Great cutback by Smith that found Olivieri. Ended up with a pair of uncharacteristically poor corners by Schupansky.
• 14' - Boston defense has been a bit shaky in possession to start. This turnover resulted in a Murphy save.
• 18' - Yellow to Davis gives a Seattle a dangerous set piece. A couple times already Seattle has tried to beat the Boston defense with pace down the left side, a weakness Boston has had in recent games.
• 23' - Seattle goal after a bad pass by Boston is intercepted. A very typical giveaway/concession by Boston of late.
• 33' - Another dispossession inside the Seattle box that ends up without even a shot.
• 43' - Another quick transition by Seattle down Boston's left sees Seattle get off a great cross and header, resulting in a foot save by Murphy. The left of Boston's defense has been a bit of a weak spot recently, and Seattle has been exploiting it well.
• 45+1' - More long balls to space down Seattle's right, this time resulting in a corner. I expect some changes for the second half to help deal with this by Boston.
• HT - Boston might have had more possession in the first half (59-41), however Seattle has looked much more threatening with the possession they have had. We still struggle to convert possession into threatening attacks while simultaneously letting opponents capitalize on defensive mistakes.
• 46' - The second half starts off with an almost immediate turnover off a Boston pass that results in a dangerous Seattle shot...not inspiring confidence.
• 48' - A Karich shot from distance...don't see those too often...probably something else that could have been done instead.
• 56' - Reale coming on for Davis...should hopefully help cover some of Boston's weakness on their left side. Reale normally plays along that side in an almost wingback position and has a bit of pace.
• 59' - Quick transition up the field by Boston results in a shot by Aissata. I want to see Boston transition rapidly out of their defensive third like this more. We seem to have had more success at pressing Seattle and winning balls upfield compared to building out of our own defensive third.
• 61' - Surprised Olivieri hasn't been booked yet. She has been very physical tonight including this very obvious foul.
• 64' - Another errant pass by Boston results in a quick Seattle transition down the flank and a Fishlock goal. Boston can have all the possession they want, but if you concede goals that quickly, it isn't going to help.
• 72' - Boston continue to struggle to build out of their defensive third as Seattle wins possession resulting in a shot off the bar.
• 74' - Good offensive buildup by Boston results in a bad pass out for a goal kick. Boston continues to struggle in converting possession into credible attacks.
• 86' - Great attempt to cross the ball into Stevens. Boston has done better at keeping the ball for a bit of a stretch here, but it has been helped by some defensive-minded subs by Seattle, and some fresh legs up front for Boston.
• 91' - Short corner for Boston ends up with poor service in. I just checked and Boston have maintained the possession advantage through this game (59-41), but is trailing on shots 15-8. Really tells the tale of how little all Boston's possession has amounted to. This story continues as we reach full time.