Despite slumping to three draws in a row, and scoring just one goal from open play during that spell, Rising coach Rick Schantz is insistent that changes to the team’s game plan are not on the cards.
“Our system doesn’t need to change,” Schantz said. “Our formation doesn’t need to change. The problem right now is there’s just not enough sharp movement. We’ve gotten into some really good positions, and then we just stand there. That’s what all the guys understood. We watched the film yesterday twice and I talked to a few players. I said ‘we’re finding good spots, and David [Egbo]’s finding good spots, but then he just stands there.’ I mean, I could mark a player that doesn’t want to move.
“I think it’s easier for these teams in a low block when we’re not constantly changing and constantly moving, so that’ll be a big focus for us is our rotations. Then for David, he has to stay high. He has to kind of do more with less, and I think a lot of young players don’t understand that. They want to touch the ball. They want to dribble. They want to be involved.”
Despite the lack of scoring, the team has received a boost in the addition of Jamaican international striker Darren Mattocks. The forward received his approved International Transfer Certificate on Monday, the same day as he first trained with his new squad.
“It’s been a couple of months since I’ve played, but I feel really good,” Mattocks said. “It’s still going to take some time to really get up to full match fitness, but today was a good day.”
Don’t expect to see Mattocks playing a pivotal role in the attack too soon, though.
“Imagine preseason,” Schantz said. “The first thing you do in preseason is you play 20 to 30 minutes, then you build that up to 45, and then you get to 60 and then 75 and then maybe 90. In preseason, it takes six weeks, so we’re going to try and do it as fast as possible but Darren is an Olympic sprinter. If you said, ‘hey, no preseason, you’re just going to run a race,’ the odds of injury are very, very high. So, we would be irresponsible if we just pushed him right away, but I’ve spoken with him and he understands the importance that he is to our club now. I’m not willing to risk him getting injured now because we know that we need him in the playoffs and hopefully beyond.”
Meanwhile, Rising captain Solomon Asante doesn’t look set to miss much time after leaving Saturday’s match against Sacramento with an injury.
“We’re not 100 percent sure yet,” Schantz said. “He’s still questionable. The doctor saw him yesterday. They didn’t think it was that bad. [He] should be available for Saturday. I’m not sure about Wednesday yet. We sent him in for a scan early this morning and we’ll know all the details tonight.”
Rising’s next match is against Oakland Roots at Las Positas College on Wednesday.
Want to hear more? Preview Wednesday’s game with a bonus midweek Rising Matchday – streaming at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning on YouTube and Facebook, and available on demand shortly after.