Valour needs to create space to score

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This article was published 19/08/2022 (1462 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE predictable reaction was frustation and, indeed, the men wearing the uniform of Valour FC experienced a torrent last Saturday in Halifax.

Ball possession wasn’t an issue against the HFX Wanderers, however, generating quality scoring chances was another matter entirely. And despite looking every bit the better squad, the visitors returned to the Manitoba capital feeling the bitter effects of a teeth-grinding 1-0 defeat.

But significant work was done on and off the field this week to eradicate frustration from the collective psyche of Winnipeg’s pro soccer squad (7-5-7), which hosts FC Edmonton (2-5-13) on Sunday at IG Field. Game time is 1:30 p.m.

“It was frustrating. We were in good form and we really needed a win. But Halifax plays really defensive, just super tough to break down, especially on their small field,” midfielder Sean Rea said, following a Friday training session. “So, this week we worked on how to create those spaces when a team is playing tight and low, because Edmonton plays a similar formation — five at the back, four in the middle. They don’t give up much space, so we’re working on how we can get behind them, how we can pull players out of position and create chances.”

Rea, who has four goals in 18 outings in 2022, had Valour’s best looks in Halifax but couldn’t hit the target on three drives. In all, the squad managed just one shot on Wanderers keeper Christian Oxner.

He said the dearth of offence has been a motivating factor in preparation for the first of four consecutive contests at the stadium on the University of Manitoba campus.

“We have so many creative players that are amazing on the ball and that’s what we want. We need to play quick, we want to open spaces, we want to get those crosses in to get a goal,” said Rea, a 20-year-old Montreal product. “We don’t want to be waiting at the back and going off counter-attacks. We want the ball and we want to create.”

Last-place Edmonton has earned points in just seven of 20 games this seaason but has registered a pair of 1-1 draws with Valour, which trails Cavalry FC (Calgary) by four points in the race for a Canadian Premier League playoff berth.

Only four of the league’s eight clubs will participate in the postseason.

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Valour has nine games left, including a rescheduled home game against Forge FC (Hamilton) on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

But there’s simply no time to waste, said GM and head coach Phillip Dos Santos.

“The guys are on high alert. (Sunday) is a game we absolutely need three points (for a win),” he said. “We feel (the playoffs) are still very much in our reach. It depends on us and we still have games in hand on Cavalry and (Atlético) Ottawa (third place, 10-5-5) and we play both teams once each.

“We have to do our job. Every game becomes a final and it starts on the weekend.”

—staff