BYU men’s soccer fans got their first look at the 2019 Cougars in the annual preseason Blue vs. White game. Coach Brandon Gilliam described the fixture as anything but a preseason formality, as 36 players competed for 24 final roster spots ahead of the upcoming Fall 2019 season.
The coaching staff distributed returning and new players among the Blue and White teams and rotated players, formations and tactics in a match that ended 2-1 in favor of the Blue team.
Christian Bain opened his account early in the first half by putting away a rebounded shot for the White team before Ammon Teubner equalized by rifling a blistering shot into the bottom left corner. With the game tied 1-1 at half, both teams addressed their defensive communication and shape.
The Blue team, led by Assistant Matt Bain, began the second half in a 4-3-3 formation before switching to a 3-4-3 formation in the 75th minute. The coaching staff described the Blue team’s experimenting with the formation as a way to counter ultra-defensive teams, yet it remains to be seen whether the newly-explored approach will serve to negate those tactics from future opposition.
Jake Ence found himself in two one-on-one situations in the second half, converting his second chance by rounding the keeper and cooly slotting in an empty net. The match finished 3-1 in favor of the Blue team after Michael Anderson scored in the final minutes of the game. The coaching staff immediately began deliberating and comparing their notes and observations as they narrowed the group to 26 players.
The Cougars’ first test of the season is against a University of Utah team that has been thoroughly outscored by BYU in each of their recent meetings. BYU will surely need to stay on their toes as they open against their local rivals this Saturday at 7:00 pm at South Field.