KC NWSL trying to swing things its way with better transition, control in the midfield

“Winning the midfield battle” is a mantra often heard throughout the soccer world. It’s a phrase used to describe the battle for possession and control, and winning that battle results in having the more dominant midfield and often results in picking up three points.

It’s not an absolute, as some of the best teams in soccer history have been built on dominance on the defensive end. In the 10-team 2017 National Women’s Soccer League season, for example, the champion Portland Thorns scored the fifth most goals in the regular season (37) but had the least goals conceded (20) and the best goal difference in the league.

But for Kansas City NWSL, winning the midfield battle would seem a necessity if the club is to produce some success anytime soon.

Including the Challenge Cup, Kansas City has begun life in the NWSL winless in 11 games and has lost its last five in the regular season.

A big issue for Kansas City NWSL has been losing the midfield battle.

“We have things that work, well sometimes, but we want to create that style of play and just dominate out there in the midfield,” KC midfielder Lo LaBonta said. “If we win that midfield, then we’ll win the game for sure.”

So, why is Kansas City losing the midfield battle?

One of the main reasons is the club has been forced into playing two defensive midfielders more often than not.

While it’s a tactic that can produce solid defensive performances, it also requires fast counterattacks and lethal striking in front of goal. Through seven games in the regular season, KC ranks eighth out of 10 teams in big chances created (six) and is tied-last in goals scored (three).

As is the nature of playing two deep-lying midfielders, that also means that Kansas City has to win the ball deeper in its own half and work the ball up the field with more urgency. But that’s just not happening right now.

Even when winning the ball back, KC is struggling to string together a run of solid passes, managing just a ninth-best 254 passes per match as well as the second-worst passing accuracy in the league (71.9%).

A large part of that issue has also been the midfield trio often getting too spread out as they search for a goal.

“We start to get frustrated with ... we’re not scoring, so we just go forward and run and get spread out and lose our connection,” LaBonta said.

This all leads to another issue: isolation.

With two holding midfielders, the forward line and the center or attacking midfielder — the primarily link between midfield and attack — often gets isolated from the rest of the midfield.

It’s an issue that KC head coach Huw Williams and his staff have pinpointed as an area of concern. The solution is a direct one, and one that Williams hopes will solve plenty of Kansas City’s other issues, too.

“We will play with more double-eight and more double-10s now for the rest of the season,” Williams said.

So how exactly does this transition to a more offensive-minded midfield help?

In large part, an extra body further up the midfield will help Kansas City not only gain control of the ball further up the field but also close the gap between the midfield and attack. It will also allow KC’s midfielder trio to remain tighter and play a more fluid, passing game.

With more space in the pocket between the defense and midfield, KC’s wingbacks will also have more room to operate in open pockets down the wings — a key component of Williams’ system.

In Kansas City’s 3-1 home loss to Orlando on Wednesday, KC began the game with a double-9 and LaBonta and attacking midfielder Victoria Pickett in the midfield.

Despite KC’s loss that came via wonder goals from Sydney Leroux and Marta, KC looked the more promising team for much of the game, ending the game with 52% possession. That outdoes the team’s average of 48.2%, which ranks seventh in the league.

Williams also wants to see his team shoot more often once they get into those positions around the box. Through seven games, Kansas City has taken just 62 shots, with 24 of those being on target. Both rank eighth in the league.

“We’ve told all of our players that nobody will ever criticize our players for taking a shot,” Williams said. “We will criticize them for not taking a shot.”

With all of this being said, Kansas City has a group of extremely talented individuals. Desi Scott has been a stalwart in the league for years, while Gaby Vincent has been the positive surprise of the year so far.

LaBonta and Chloe Logarzo will be key components of KC going forward but have both struggled with injuries in the early part of the season. Rookie Victoria Pickett has surpassed all expectations so far, and Jordyn Listro and Addie McCain offer more than capable depth.

“The future of the midfield is to be one of the best midfields in the whole league,” Williams said. “I think there’s a chance for our midfield to be one of the best midfielders in the league, Olympic or non-Olympic time.”

This story was originally published June 25, 2021 at 5:44 PM with the headline "KC NWSL trying to swing things its way with better transition, control in the midfield."