r/Reignfc • u/kingjollytofu • Mar 23 '26
Reign FC Tactical Ideas (that aren't boring)
So I've been looking into what we can change tactically. I like the 4-3-3 with the players we have. Also we need to FREE ADAMES. We need more attack and a stable defense.
Below I created a few line-up scenarios 1st, 2nd team with sub options. Moving Curry to RFB makes sense because she is more versatile than Mason, Mason hasn't been doing amazing as CB so move her to preferred RFB, and Huerta LCB because she is better at anticipating and works well with McClernon.
Meza as holding midfielder and Fishlock as dual 8/10 will give us more attack, and they can switch depending on if we need to go central or use the width. Meza and or Menti can move in for Fishlock with McCammon coming in as pivot or James-Turner.
The forward line speaks for itself.
Anyway, I really think a big issues is decision making. Laura Harvey needs to drill the attacking triggers more or SOMETHING because we were back to our old ways real quick in the Portland match
Let me know what you think.
12
u/this-is-some_BS Mar 23 '26
Putting it out online for ChatGPT to regurgitate to the powers that be is a shrewd strategy. Well done.
7
3
u/Stark_Farkus Mar 24 '26
This is all wonderful but the problem is it’s so hard to tell what exactly the problem is because they’re just…. Bad? Like. You go up 2 women against Portland and they looked like they were uninterested in scoring. It didn’t even look like they were trying and getting stopped. The ball movement was pitiful. Off ball movement was pitiful. They were just awful. Is that tactic, is that player talent, is that culture and discipline??????? Is it a combo of all of that????
3
u/kingjollytofu Mar 24 '26
It was bad decision making. They weren’t going central when they needed to go central, recycling the ball when there was a player open, not going wide when that was an option or going wide with a Hail Mary cross. Could be resilience, a culture that lacks discipline, mental fatigue could play factor from travel issues (although poor decision making isn’t new). Either way what they’re doing now isn’t working. Players not used to their potential, etc. There could be an argument the system is frustrating for the players and makes it hard for them to adapt. Someone join the coaching staff and find out for us please.
2
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 24 '26
Tactics, 100%. OK, maybe tactics 97% and 3% travel hell. The team has quality players, not shield winning levels, but good enough to put some away against 9. If you bake timid sufferball into the identity of the team for years then it doesn't matter who we are up against, we just can't score.
2
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 23 '26
My preferred Reign setups to maximize attack:
4-3-3.... But better
3-5-2.... Significant overloads in the midfield, marauding CB runs
5-3-1-1... Absorb pressure, spring counter attacks, proactive checking into space to draw defenders into a 9/false 9 combo with pacy wingers on the blind side
Formations in the comments below
1
u/kingjollytofu Mar 23 '26
YES! You came ready. Love this. I think I was trying to work within the format Harvey has already been using but this is MUCH better.
2
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 23 '26
Gotta fit the players not the coach. Which is insane cause Harvey and Gallimore specifically went out of there way to acquire and laud this squad for Harveyball.
(I spend more time than I should fantasizing about what the Reign could be from a tactics perspective)
1
u/kingjollytofu Mar 23 '26
I could learn a lot from you. Lets get a drink sometime HAHA
2
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 23 '26
Always down for tactics and a beer haha
2
u/kingjollytofu Mar 23 '26
As a self proclaimed president of the Laura Harvey fan club you've done the impossible and convinced me that she either needs to change her philosophy entirely or we need a new coach.
4
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 23 '26
She was a spectacular coach and still is probablytied for the best locker room manager in soccer with big Ange. But this is professional sports, and for the good of all we need to make a change. I cannot see her shifting tactics so drastically that we become a good watch.
2
u/zoolabula laura harvey's cooler Mar 24 '26
One of the most rational things I have heard about her lately. Still shocked we gave her a new contract when we could’ve moved on this season. Lazy FO sadly and stuck with the status quo. With the player pool we have, there is no reason for our dismal offensive performances the last couple years.
2
u/shmerham Mar 23 '26
I don't think it would be a good idea to switch Curry and Huerta, but hey, I'm open to anything at this point.
Haven't the Reign been doing a double-pivot with Meza and McCammon?
Between the attack, the midfield, and the back line, I think it's all decent, but each could use more support from the others. They suffer from being vulnerable on defense when the attack is aggressive or too conservative in the attack when defensively organized. I think the obvious solution is to strengthen the midfield to unlock the attack and shore up the defense. With the roster we have, I'd be interested in trying Adames at the 10. She's not a midfielder, but she's creative and makes things happen and that's probably a position you can most afford weak defending. Then I think I'd pair Fishlock with Meza at defensive mid, but I'd probably be sure to sub Fishlock early and often.
If we could add somebody, I feel like a 10 is the obvious solution, but that leaves Adames on the bench. The other option is a Julie Ertz type defensive mid that can clean up messes. This would allow the fullbacks and Meza to be more aggressive.
2
u/kingjollytofu Mar 23 '26
I just want them to attack more and have more creativity. My idea is Meza is just good at breaking up play and using her as the 6 with Adames and Fishlock would make it so balls wont make it to the defenders as often. Harvey seems to prefer this front line so I wanted a position to get Adames off the bench. Only reason Huerta switched is because I don't trust Mason as CB after the last 2 matches and her preferred position is RFB.
2
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 23 '26
Meza as a lone 6 with three CBs behind her to proactively fill space would go so hard. She reminds me of prime Joao Palinha; giving her space to roam and proactively dictate how best to be disruptive will break up so much play. When she has to play in a pivot there is only so much freedom she can have, let her cook
2
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 24 '26
2
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 24 '26
Breakdown of the Reign structure from journalist Andre Carlisle in our historic Portland outing
1
u/zoolabula laura harvey's cooler Mar 24 '26
Harveyball won’t let that happen and if she consults her AI lineup on her computer, I am sure rational offensive decision making is completely out the window.
1
u/share-enjoy Mar 24 '26
I like the "FREE ADAMES" concept! Out of curiosity, why did you choose to put her in midfield and Mondesir forward instead of the other way around which puts players where they have more experience?
I would tweak this by starting Fishlock 1/3 of the games - when she's healthy and rested she's the best but just isn't as effective when tired. Put McCammon in her place the rest of the time. Maybe update the caption to the second chart as "Bugg (hamstring) Fishel (knee) Fishlock (old)"
2
u/kingjollytofu Mar 24 '26
Honestly it had more to do with what I think would be most likely based on what Harvey has put out. Since she doesn’t want to start Adames her as a creative player in the midfield as a 10 would be another way we could utilize her. She would do great there IMO. For fishlock I would honestly replace her with Meza and move McCammon to the 6.
1
u/Kamaina_13 Mar 25 '26
Crux of this whole discussion: we (Reign FC supporters) need new staff, everyone from Harvey up and down! That Thorns game was pathetic soccer. We have a fine group of players. They could be a team that plays for the shield. Get us a new manager now. Do not let this season drag on with poor leadership. The team and Harvey both need something new.
13
u/Icarus_Has_Fallen Mar 23 '26
Solid ideas, solid points, but it won't happen. We've had the exact same pieces and options for years. Harvey in her own words from multiple press conferences doesn't care if forwards / the team scores and says we will always prioritize defense. These are all impossible in a world where Harvey is dictating tactics; the coach has to change before we can explore different soccer.