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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Preview: Building up the Attack

March 3, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Opponent: Indy Eleven

When: Friday, March 4 at 3 P.M.

Where: Grande Sports World | Casa Grande, Arizona

Stream: There will be no live stream

Tickets: Free and open to the public.

The skinny: Short. Sharp. Quick.

That was the point of emphasis in training this week, ahead of Arizona United Soccer Club's next preseason match against Indy Eleven.

"In this game, you can't play slow and sloppy," said Arizona United head coach Frank Yallop. "You have to be quick and sharp. The teams that do well are sharper and crisper with passing and more alert when they lose the ball and no one is usually walking."

Much of the drilling the players went through the past two days emphasized those attributes. During one drill, players criss crossed back and fourth within a square, making one-touch passes to each other while running to the next spot. In another, the players worked on movement and transition defense, hardly getting a break as they ran back and forth from one end to the other.

All of this is to continue building cohesiveness on the pitch as the players slowly learn the style and tendencies Yallop wants to see. In the club's last three matches, a lot of the attacking was still just instinctual.

"I want them to play their natural game, but I wanted it within the parameters of what I'm trying to do," Yallop said. "I don't want guys walking out from the back. I don't want guys getting sloppy. I don't want guys not taking practice and the games seriously."

He added: "On the field we mean business. We want to win. I want to win. And the players should feel the same way."

Scouting Report: NASL side Indy Eleven has just began its proper preseason training with a trip to Casa Grande (the third time the club has come out to Arizona for preseason). Indy Eleven lost its first preseason match in the Copper State, 3-0, to fellow NASL side Ottawa Fury.

After that match, Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson said: "We had the better of the play and chances in the first 45 minutes, which is an encouraging sign. The second half was clearly not what we were looking for, especially defensively. It showed that there's a lot to work on still, but that is what the preseason is all about."

Previous meeting: This will be the first time the two clubs meet.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 3, 2016


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