Missouri soccer wrapped up its ninth game in the 2024 season and they have suffered major growing pains. The Tigers were dismantled by No. 2 Arkansas 8-2 in their latest game. With the loss, Missouri fell to 2-6-1 in the season and have now lost three consecutive games. Here are three things we have learned from the past week of action.
Offensive struggles
Missouri’s offense has managed two goals in their last three games, both coming from the loss against Arkansas. The Tigers have struggled pushing attackers into scoring position as the team has been outshot in their last three games. The last game they outshot their opponent was Sept. 8, at home, against Southeast Missouri State.
Missouri was shutout for five consecutive halves as the team didn’t score until the second half of the game against Arkansas. The Tigers rank 16th in the SEC as they have scored 11 goals this season for an average of 1.22 per game.
Missouri’s defense is lacking
Over this 0-3 stint, Missouri has been outscored 16-2. The team allowed seven goals to Duke and eight to Arkansas, both teams ranked in the top five.
This year the defense has been put in positions that lead to open looks for their opponents like bad passes, errors and bad positioning. These mental mistakes from their defenders have allowed Missouri’s opponents to get prime scoring chances that often lead to goals. Players are constantly in the wrong spots, allowing opposing players to be left unguarded. …