DATE: 21.10.2025

ANALYST: Positional Analyst

FOCUS: This report has been updated with aggregated player data and detailed tactical analysis from the last five matches (vs. Oklahoma, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas A&M).

1. Projected Lineup and Rotations

Projected Starting XI (4-4-2)

• GK: #18 K. Williams

• RB: #22 B. Thompson

• CB: #28 A. Haley

• CB: #23 E. Cox

• LB: #2 C. Byrd

• RM: #44 A. Villarreal

• CM: #3 A. Brothers

• CM: #9 S. Hoch

• LM: #11 C. Shimkin

• CF: #7 A. Bryant

• CF: #1 A. McDonald

Key Rotations

1. M. MacMillan (#17): An attacking midfielder who is consistently used as an impact substitute. In the matches against Oklahoma and South Carolina, she was brought on to provide an offensive spark in the second half.

2. A. Gnidula (#24): A forward used to change the dynamic up front, typically replacing one of the starting center forwards. She appeared as a substitute in 4 of the last 5 matches.

3. C. Patrick (#26): A defensive substitute used at outside back. She came on for #22 B. Thompson against Oklahoma and South Carolina, indicating she is used to provide fresh legs in the back line.

2. Individual Player Profiles (Projected XI)

Goalkeeper

• #18 K. Williams

• Player Role/Archetype: Shot-Stopper

• Key Strengths: (Data unavailable for GKs in the provided report).

• Key Weaknesses: (Data unavailable for GKs in the provided report).

Defenders

• #22 B. Thompson (Outside Back)

• Player Role/Archetype: Defensive Full-Back

• Key Strengths:

1. Strong Ground Duelist: Shows a high success rate when engaging attackers in defensive challenges (Won 38 of 52 defensive duels across the last 5 games for a 73% success rate).

2. Positionally Sound: Commits to her defensive duties and makes a high volume of interceptions (20 interceptions in her last 5 matches).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Limited Attacking Contribution: Offers very little going forward, rarely joining the attack or delivering crosses (Attempted only 2 crosses in the last 5 matches, with 0% accuracy).

2. Vulnerable to Overloads: Action maps from the Oklahoma game show her frequently isolated, and she lost 4 of her 6 defensive duels in that match.

• #28 A. Haley (Center Back)

• Player Role/Archetype: Combative CB / Stopper

• Key Strengths:

1. High-Volume Tackler: Heavily involved in defensive actions, consistently engaging in a high number of duels (Averaged 15.4 duels per match over the last 5 games).

2. Line-Breaking Passer: Capable of playing long, direct passes from the back to start attacks (Attempted 36 long passes over 5 games, completing 15).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Extremely Poor in the Air: A significant liability on high balls into the box (Won only 5 of 20 aerial duels over the last 5 matches for a 25% success rate).

2. Loses Possession Dribbling: Prone to being dispossessed when attempting to carry the ball out from the back (Unsuccessful in 4 of 9 dribble attempts).

• #23 E. Cox (Center Back)

• Player Role/Archetype: Ball-Playing Defender

• Key Strengths:

1. Elite Ball-Winner: The team's most effective defender at reading the play and winning the ball without going to ground (Led the team with 39 interceptions over the last 5 matches).

2. Primary Ball Progressor: The main source of build-up from the back, consistently playing forward with accuracy (Completed 63 of 96 forward passes for a 66% success rate over 5 games).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Susceptible to Dribblers: Can be beaten in 1v1 situations when an attacker runs directly at her (Lost 4 of 9 defensive duels in the last 2 matches).

2. Average Aerial Success: While better than her partner, she is not dominant in the air (Won 8 of 15 aerial duels for a 53% success rate).

• #2 C. Byrd (Outside Back)

• Player Role/Archetype: Defensive Full-Back

• Key Strengths:

1. Reliable Tackler: Excels in 1v1 defensive situations, consistently dispossessing attackers (Won 37 of 52 defensive duels across 5 games for a 71% success rate).

2. Secure in Possession: Very safe and accurate with her passing, maintaining a high completion rate (Completed 162 of 190 passes for an 85% accuracy over 5 games).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. No Attacking Output: Provides virtually no threat in the final third (Attempted only 2 crosses and recorded 0 shots in 5 matches).

2. Reluctant Dribbler: Does not take players on to advance the ball (Attempted only 2 dribbles in over 400 minutes of play).

Midfielders

• #3 A. Brothers (CM)

• Player Role/Archetype: Box-to-Box Midfielder

• Key Strengths:

1. Elite Ball-Winner: Exceptionally strong in challenges, serving as the team's primary defensive enforcer in midfield (Won 50 of 64 defensive duels across 5 games for a 78% success rate).

2. Primary Playmaker: The main creative force, consistently setting up chances for teammates (Leads the team with 4 key passes and a high xA of 0.47 in the last 5 games).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Ineffective Dribbler: Often unsuccessful when trying to take on players (Succeeded on only 2 of 8 dribble attempts in 5 games).

2. Poor Finishing: Does not pose a goal threat herself despite getting into good areas (0 goals from 2 shots, with 0 on target).

• #44 A. Villarreal (RM)

• Player Role/Archetype: Wide Playmaker / Ball Carrier

• Key Strengths:

1. Elite Ball Carrier: The team's primary dribbler, proving highly effective at breaking lines and carrying the ball into the final third (Completed 21 of 27 dribble attempts across 5 games for a 78% success rate).

2. High-Volume Creator: Constantly looks to generate chances, particularly from wide areas (Attempted a team-high 18 crosses in the last 5 matches).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Inefficient Final Product: Despite high volume, her delivery is often poor (Completed only 4 of 18 crosses for a 22% accuracy).

2. Turnover Prone in Key Areas: Action maps from the Oklahoma and Georgia matches show a high concentration of lost duels and unsuccessful actions in the final third.

• #9 S. Hoch (CM)

• Player Role/Archetype: Deep-Lying Playmaker

• Key Strengths:

1. Tidy Distributor: Keeps possession ticking over with safe, high-percentage passing (Completed 125 of 155 passes for an 81% accuracy).

2. Effective Tackler: Strong contributor out of possession, winning the majority of her defensive duels (Won 25 of 38 defensive duels for a 66% success rate).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Lacks Penetration: Plays too safe and rarely breaks lines with her passing (Averaged only 4 progressive passes attempted per 90 minutes).

2. Not a Goal Threat: Offers minimal scoring potential from midfield (2 shots, 1 on target in 525 minutes).

• #11 C. Shimkin (LM)

• Player Role/Archetype: Inverted Winger

• Key Strengths:

1. Direct Dribbler: Consistently takes on defenders to create space, operating as the team's main 1v1 threat (Attempted a team-high 31 dribbles over the last 5 matches).

2. Links Play: Drifts inside to connect with midfielders, receiving and distributing a high volume of passes (Averaged 34 passes per game).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Weak in Offensive Duels: Physically not strong and is often dispossessed when challenged (Won only 15 of 43 offensive duels for a 35% success rate).

2. Poor Crossing Accuracy: Fails to deliver quality from wide areas despite high volume (Completed only 2 of 13 cross attempts for a 15% accuracy).

Forwards

• #7 A. Bryant (CF)

• Player Role/Archetype: Pressing Forward / False Nine

• Key Strengths:

1. High Defensive Work Rate: Leads the press from the front and contributes significantly out of possession (Won 25 of 44 defensive duels across 5 games, a very high number for a forward).

2. Creative Passer: Shows good vision to link play and create for others (Contributed 4 key passes in the last 5 games, tied for the team lead).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Non-Existent Goal Threat: Poses almost no danger in front of goal (0 goals from only 3 shots, with 0 on target across 5 games).

2. Weak in the Air: Not a target for high balls and consistently loses aerial challenges (Won only 4 of 15 aerial duels for a 27% success rate).

• #1 A. McDonald (CF)

• Player Role/Archetype: Poacher

• Key Strengths:

1. Primary Goal Scorer: The team's main finishing threat and focal point of the attack (Team-high 2 goals on a team-high 13 shots in 5 games).

2. Dribbles to Shoot: Creates her own chances by taking on defenders in the final third (Attempted 38 dribbles in 5 games, leading to 7 shots).

• Key Weaknesses:

1. Poor Passer: Does not link up play effectively and has the lowest pass accuracy on the team (Completed only 40 of 68 passes for a 59% success rate).

2. Zero Aerial Presence: A non-factor on high balls, offering no threat on crosses into the box (Won 0 of 6 aerial duels in 5 games).

3. Key Player Identification

1. #1 A. McDonald (CF): The clear offensive focal point. Her entire game is built around creating and finishing chances. With a team-high 13 shots and an xG of 0.98, she is the primary goal threat. Shutting her down is paramount.

2. #23 E. Cox (CB): The anchor of the defense and the primary ball progressor. She leads the team in interceptions (39 over 5 games) and is crucial for initiating attacks from the back, as evidenced by her 66% forward pass accuracy.

3. #3 A. Brothers (CM): The engine room and enforcer. Her incredible defensive duel win rate (78%) makes her the team's most important ball-winner. Offensively, she is a primary creator with a team-high 4 key passes and 0.47 xA.

4. #44 A. Villarreal (RM): The primary ball carrier. Her ability to drive with the ball is elite (78% dribble success rate on 27 attempts). While her final product is inconsistent, the sheer volume of her involvement means she is central to their attacking plan.

5. #7 A. Bryant (CF): The defensive trigger and facilitator. While not a goal threat, her role is critical to their system. She leads the press (25 defensive duels won) and links play (4 key passes), creating space and opportunities for McDonald.

4. Style of Play Analysis

Attacking Phase

• Dribble-Reliant and Centrally Funneled: The attack is heavily dependent on the individual ability of wingers #44 Villarreal and #11 Shimkin to beat defenders. Despite starting wide, they both tend to drift inside, funneling the attack into the central channel. "Attacks by Flanks" data across all five matches consistently shows the highest xG is generated centrally. This makes their final attacking move predictable.

• Methodical Build-Up / No Counter-Attack: Texas is a slow, possession-based team that builds from the back through CB #23 Cox. They pose virtually no threat on the counter, having registered a total of only four counter-attacks across the last five matches. This slow tempo allows opposing defenses ample time to get organized.

Defending Phase

• Passive Mid-Block: Texas consistently defends in a 4-4-2 mid-block and does not press high. Their average PPDA of 11.4 across the last five matches confirms a strategy of allowing opponents to build possession before engaging them near the halfway line.

• Extreme Aerial Vulnerability: The team's most significant weakness is defending balls in the air. The starting center-back pairing of #28 Haley and #23 Cox won a combined 13 of 35 aerial duels (a 37% success rate) over the last five games. This presents a clear opportunity on crosses and set pieces.

Transitions

• Slow Transition to Attack: Upon winning the ball, their priority is to secure possession, not to launch a quick attack. The lack of a counter-attacking threat means we can commit players forward without significant risk of being exposed by a rapid counter.

• Vulnerable in Defensive Transition: While organized in their set block, they are susceptible when the game becomes stretched. They conceded a combined 9 goals against pacy opponents in South Carolina and Oklahoma. Their full-backs can be caught out of position, leaving wide channels open to be exploited by fast wingers.

5. Analysis of Attacking Zones

Between the Lines

• Who Operates Here: #44 A. Villarreal (RM) drifting centrally and #7 A. Bryant (CF) dropping deep.

• Tactical Pattern: Based on the Oklahoma match, Villarreal starts wide but will drift centrally with the ball to drive at the defense. Bryant's role is to drop off the front line into this space, acting as a wall-pass option to link with the midfield and create space for #1 McDonald to run in behind.

• Defensive Counter: Instruct our holding midfielder to deny Villarreal space when she cuts inside. Our center-backs must communicate; one must be prepared to step up and challenge Bryant aggressively when he drops deep to prevent him from linking play.

Space Behind the Back Line

• Who Operates Here: #1 A. McDonald (CF) and #11 C. Shimkin (LM).

• Tactical Pattern: The primary pattern is a direct ball from the ball-playing center-back, #23 E. Cox, into the channels for McDonald to run onto. A secondary pattern involves #11 Shimkin cutting inside on her right foot to play a through pass for an opposite-side run.

• Defensive Counter: Maintain a disciplined, compact back line. Our goalkeeper must adopt an aggressive starting position to sweep up through balls. Communication between our full-backs and center-backs is critical to track McDonald's runs.

6. Tactical Recommendations: How to Exploit Weaknesses

1. Target Player: #28 A. Haley (CB) on Aerial Balls

• Identified Weakness: Extremely poor in aerial duels.

• Supporting Data: "Won only 5 of 20 aerial duels over the last 5 matches for a 25% success rate."

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Play early, high crosses into the box, specifically targeting Haley. On all set pieces, deliver inswinging balls into the six-yard box to challenge her directly. Instruct our forwards to make runs that isolate them against her on high balls.

2. Target Player: #44 A. Villarreal (RM) for Pressing Traps

• Identified Weakness: Although a strong dribbler, she is the high-volume creator whose final ball is inconsistent.

• Supporting Data: "Completed only 4 of 18 crosses (22% accuracy) and 10 of 28 passes into the final third (36% accuracy) across the last 5 games."

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Allow the pass into Villarreal but press her aggressively upon her second or third touch as she enters the final third. The goal is not to tackle her immediately but to force her into a rushed final pass or cross, capitalizing on her inefficiency to trigger a counter-attack.

3. Target Player: #1 A. McDonald (CF) with Physicality

• Identified Weakness: Ineffective when physically challenged and a non-factor in the air.

• Supporting Data: "Won only 4 of 18 offensive duels (22% success rate) and 0 of 6 aerial duels in the last 5 matches."

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Instruct our center-backs to be physical with McDonald. Deny her space to turn and do not allow her to build momentum for dribbling. On crosses, she can be left as she poses no aerial threat. The focus should be on winning the physical battle before she can receive the ball to feet.

4. Target Area: Space behind their full-backs in transition

• Identified Weakness: They struggle in defensive transition and their full-backs can be exposed.

• Supporting Data: Conceded a combined 9 goals against pacy teams (South Carolina & Oklahoma) who successfully attacked wide areas.

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Upon winning possession, our first look should be a quick, direct pass into the space behind their advancing full-backs. Instruct our wingers to hold their width and be ready to exploit these channels immediately.

5. Target Player: #11 C. Shimkin (LM) in Wide Duels

• Identified Weakness: Ineffective in 1v1 offensive situations despite a high volume of attempts.

• Supporting Data: "Won only 15 of 43 offensive duels over the last 5 games (35% success rate)."

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Instruct our right-back to be aggressive and engage Shimkin early. Show confidence in challenging her 1v1, knowing she is frequently dispossessed. Do not commit a second defender unless necessary, as this will open up space elsewhere.