Anatomy of a Goal: Right to Dream Style

For the second week in a row, the opposing team fell into San Diego FC's trap. After two matchdays, SDFC is not only at the top of the Supporter's Shield standings – they're also number one in possession. At the core of this team’s identity is one thing: keeping the ball.

When SDFC keeps the ball, the opposing teams press. San Diego made an example out of Montreal in what happens when the opposing team is not successful in the press – it resulted in a 5-0 win for the home side. Last Sunday, St. Louis City did the same. Let's dive in and analyze a masterclass of how to draw out defenders and capitalize on the created space.

Anatomy of a Goal - Right to Dream Style

Something that SDFC has been good at this year is catching opponents in vulnerable situations early in each half. In the past two matches, SDFC scored a goal in the first 15 minutes of each half. Diving into the first goal that was scored against St. Louis in the third minute, it's obvious how SDFC were able to be successful.

1. It all starts with a press anchored by the top man, in this case - Marcus Ingvartsen. San Diego players form a sort of triangle behind him with the intent of collapsing that triangle on an opposing player inside it, if he receives a pass.

2. Instead of being forced to play the ball to the outside, St. Louis plays into SDFC's plan as the player receiving the ball is now challenged by multiple players and eventually coughs it up. The triangle collapses and SDFC regain possession.

3. Now, the most crucial piece to all of this is being able to get the ball up quickly. St. Louis has fallen into SDFC's trap with a large number of players in the high press. Anders Dreyer's elite field vision allows him to notice Onni Valakari with the large amount of space in the middle. He distributes the ball to Valakari quickly, catching St. Louis players in a counterattack.

4. City players are left chasing Valakari as he dribbles into large amounts of space and overload the opposing defense 5-4. Each City defender has an assignment at this point, allowing Valakari to dribble all the way into the final third.

5. This is the moment when the defenders need to make a choice. Leave their mark and close down Valakari or allow him to take a shot from close range. When Amahl Pellegrino holds up his run, he creates space for Keiran Sargent. As the defenders choose to close down Valakari, he now has multiple pass options to each side.

6. In this case, Ingvartsen is left wide open in the middle, forcing Dreyer's defender to slide over as he receives the pass. The last defender (Right Back) fails to step up with the rest of the defense, allowing Ingvartsen to stay onside with acres of space to receive the ball and make his decison on passing or shooting.

7. Dreyer continues his run in behind the defender who was marking him due to the attention on Ingvartsen. The two Danes connect on a pass and Dreyer uses his elite skill to put the ball in the back of the net via a beautiful curled, one-time shot.

Opposing teams are often tested by SDFC's possession-style play. The frustration of constantly chasing after the ball can wear teams' patience thin, forcing them to abandon the patient, defensive gameplan and get caught in a high press. This was a great example of how San Diego can punish their opponents if they execute what they train for at Sharp Healthcare Performance center every week.

Now watch this beautiful performance after having analyzed the goal.

Anders Dreyer - The Key to the Offense

Much more cannot be said about Dreyer and how important he has been to this team. The right side of the field, where Dreyer operates, has been the hot spot for action through two weeks of play.

It's clear when comparing the passing maps in the final third between the two matches, that the plan of attack is to get the ball into the legs of Dreyer, who is then tasked with using creativity and skill to create dangerous opportunities.

Whether he’s driving at defenders, slipping in a final pass, or forcing defenses to overload his side, everything flows from his influence. The question now becomes how opponents plan to slow him down, and whether shifting too much attention his way will simply open space elsewhere for SDFC to punish.