University of Florida Women's Soccer

CONFIDENTIAL: FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

PRE-MATCH OPPOSITION REPORT: FLORIDA GATORS

DATE: October 18, 2025

ANALYSIS FOCUS: This report synthesizes data from the Florida Gators' last 5 matches, with a primary focus on their most recent match against Tennessee (October 17, 2025).

1. Projected Lineup and Formational Flexibility

Projected Starting XI (4-1-4-1)

• GK: P. Pena

• RB: L. McCloskey

• CB: A. Abby Gemma

• CB: S. Barnes

• LB: A. Upton

• CDM: A. Lang

• RM: M. Hinnenkamp

• CM: S. Sindelar

• CM: K. Johnston

• LM: K. Tsakiris

• ST: A. Hess

Formational Notes:

Based on the most recent tactical setup, Florida's primary formation appears to be a 4-1-4-1, with Lang operating as a single pivot. The 5-game analysis shows significant flexibility, and they have also frequently utilized a 4-3-3, 4-4-2 (20%), and 4-3-2-1 (20%). This flexibility indicates they may adjust their shape based on the opponent and game state.

Key Rotations:

• L. Bailey for A. Hess (LW/ST): A common attacking substitution to bring in a direct dribbling threat.

• T. O'Coyne for M. Hinnenkamp (CM): O'Coyne is often introduced to add defensive solidity to the midfield.

• N. Butts for K. Johnston (RW/CM): Butts provides a different option, often looking to get into scoring positions.

2. Style of Play: Attacking Phase

Possession-Oriented Build-Up:

Over the last 5 games, Florida has averaged 54.18% possession with a team pass accuracy of 73.01%. Their match tempo of 14.42 passes per minute of possession indicates a patient, controlled approach to building attacks rather than a direct, vertical style. They prefer to establish control in midfield before progressing the ball.

Role of Center Backs in Progression:

The center backs are key to their build-up. L. McCloskey, in particular, is a primary ball progressor, averaging 6.2 progressive passes per 90 minutes.

3. Style of Play: Defensive Phase

Aggressive High Press:

Florida employs an intense and effective high press. Their PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) of 5.82 is extremely low, signifying that they allow opponents very few passes before initiating a defensive action.

High Regains and Transition:

This pressing style results in a high number of ball recoveries in advanced areas. Over the last 5 games, 43.5% of their ball recoveries have occurred in the middle and final thirds. They are particularly effective at winning the ball on their left side, with 18.3% of all recoveries happening in the left-midfield zone. They use these high turnovers to launch quick counter-attacks.

4. Primary Methods of Chance Creation

Wide Play and Crosses:

A significant portion of their attack is generated from wide areas. L. Bailey (9), A. Hess (7), and K. Tsakiris (7) have attempted the most crosses over the last 5 games. They aim to get their wingers and full-backs into positions to deliver balls into the box.

Final Third Dribbling:

They rely on key individuals to create opportunities through 1v1 dribbles. L. Bailey and K. Tsakiris are the most frequent dribblers in the final third, attempting 8 dribbles each over the last 5 games, followed by K. Johnston with 6.

5. Analysis of Chances Conceded

Vulnerability from Lost Duels:

A primary weakness is the chances they concede after a key defender loses a duel in their own third. While L. McCloskey is their most active defender (involved in 22.9% of defensive duels in the defensive third), her 18 lost duels in that zone have directly led to 3 opposition shots (xG 0.33). Similarly, A. Abby Gemma's 12 lost duels in the same zone have led to 5 shots (xG 0.19). This indicates that while they are aggressive defenders, they can be vulnerable if bypassed.

6. Tactical Recommendations: How to Exploit Weaknesses

1. Create 1v1 Duels Against L. McCloskey

• Player/Area to Target: L. McCloskey (RB)

• Identified Weakness: High-volume, aggressive defending style leads to shooting opportunities for the opposition when she is beaten.

• Supporting Data: Her 18 lost duels in the defensive third have led to 3 shots (xG 0.33) over the last 5 games.

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Isolate her against our most skilled dribbler. Use quick combinations and movements to force her to commit to a challenge, with the aim of bypassing her to create a direct shooting opportunity.

2. Exploit Space During Their High Press

• Player/Area to Target: Midfield and space behind their full-backs.

• Identified Weakness: Their aggressive high press (PPDA of 5.82) can leave space in midfield and behind their advancing defenders if the initial press is broken.

• Supporting Data: 43.5% of their recoveries are in the middle and final thirds, indicating high defensive positioning.

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Use press-resistant midfielders to draw them in, then play quick, vertical passes into the channels for our wingers to run onto. This will bypass their press and attack the space they vacate.

3. Target M. Hinnenkamp with a Counter-Press

• Player/Area to Target: M. Hinnenkamp (RM)

• Identified Weakness: Unreliable in possession under pressure.

• Supporting Data: 63% pass accuracy vs. Tennessee.

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Upon losing possession, immediately press Hinnenkamp. This will force turnovers in the middle third and disrupt their offensive structure before it can build.

4. Isolate K. Tsakiris Physically

• Player/Area to Target: K. Tsakiris (LM)

• Identified Weakness: Ineffective in physical offensive challenges.

• Supporting Data: 20% offensive duel success rate vs. Tennessee.

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Our defenders should play tight to Tsakiris, denying her space to turn. Engage her physically early and challenge every ball played to her feet, knowing she struggles to hold off defenders.

5. Force S. Barnes into Aerial Duels at the Back Post

• Player/Area to Target: S. Barnes (CB)

• Identified Weakness: Susceptibility to aerial duels.

• Supporting Data: 0% aerial duel success rate vs. Tennessee.

• Recommended Attacking Strategy: Utilize diagonal, floated crosses from our right wing toward the back post. This forces her into an aerial contest, exploiting her primary defensive weakness and creating opportunities for knock-downs or direct headers.

7. Tactical Strategy Based on Structure

1. Overloading the Single Pivot

• Structural Basis: Florida's primary formations (4-3-3 and 4-1-4-1) rely heavily on A. Lang as the single defensive midfielder.

• Identified Pattern: Lang is responsible for shielding the back four and initiating build-up. While she is excellent at intercepting passes, she can be numerically isolated if opponents commit players centrally.

• Recommended Strategy: Deploy two attacking midfielders to operate in the half-spaces on either side of Lang. This 2v1 situation will force her to choose which player to close down, creating passing lanes between the lines to our center forward. This will disrupt their defensive stability and force their other central midfielders into deeper, more defensive roles, limiting their ability to support the attack.

2. Bypassing the Three-Player Press

• Structural Basis: In their 4-3-3, the front three (Hess, Tsakiris, Johnston) are the primary initiators of their high press.

• Identified Pattern: This structure is designed to funnel the opposition's build-up into wide areas where they can be trapped by the shifting midfield. Their low PPDA of 5.82 confirms the intensity of this initial press.

• Recommended Strategy: Avoid playing short passes through the middle against their press. Instead, instruct our goalkeeper and center-backs to play longer, diagonal passes over the top of their first line of pressure. By targeting the space behind their advancing full-backs, we can bypass their front three entirely and create immediate attacking opportunities against their back four before their midfield can recover.

3. Exploiting the 4-4-2 Transition

• Structural Basis: Florida shifts to a 4-4-2 (20% of the time), often to see out a game or present a more defensively solid block.

• Identified Pattern: When they transition to a 4-4-2, their wingers are required to take on significant defensive responsibility. This can leave their full-backs temporarily exposed during quick switches of play.

• Recommended Strategy: If they adopt this shape, our attacking emphasis should shift to rapid switches of play. By drawing their midfield block to one side of the field, a quick, long pass to our winger on the opposite flank will create a 1v1 duel against their full-back with space to attack. This is particularly effective as it tests the defensive discipline and positioning of their natural attackers who are forced into a midfield role.