This player analysis was first featured on our network site, majorleaguesoccernews.com.
Ending the MLS regular season with three straight wins saw Sporting Kansas City top the Western Conference. This gives them a home MLS Cup semi-final next week.
Picking up form at the right time, a player that help SKC to the final is Johnny Russell. The former Derby player has had a stellar debut season with the club and in this tactical analysis, I aim to tell you why he’ll have an important part to play in the semi-final.
Firstly, it’s important to note that SKC play a 4-3-3 with Russell on the right wing. Being left-footed, however, his job is to be dangerous inside the box. That saw him score ten and assist seven goals across the MLS regular season. However, what more important is the variety in the way Russell goes about this.
Desire
Knockout games tend to be very tense affairs. With this in mind, the desire Russell shows can help SKC massively to come out on top in the semi-finals. What we see as desire can be hard to judge, however. So here’s an example against the Whitecaps that shows just how this can be the difference for Russell and SKC:
Even though this may not be seen as something major, it could help his side massively. With that high pressing late on, he can begin attacks with the opposing defence out of shape.
This also plays into another aspect of his game that makes him so dangerous for SKC.
