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The National Women’s Soccer League playoffs get underway this weekend, with some intriguing quarterfinal matchups. While the home teams, seeded after finishing in the top four during the regular season, are undoubtedly favorites, there are some tactical quirks and uncertainties that could define each game. Let’s break them down.
Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars: Similarities end with defensive styles
Both of the regular season meetings between Orlando and Chicago this year finished with narrow score lines, but those results didn’t reflect the gulf in quality between the two teams. The 1-1 draw back in March came before Barbra Banda had settled in as the Pride’s star striker, while Orlando’s 1-0 win in September was almost one-way traffic without a final score befitting it.
Both teams typically defend in a 4-4-2, or something along those lines. Both mark zonally, focusing on staying compact and being difficult to play through. Stylistically, they are not entirely dissimilar; the…
