Overview

In this analysis, we examine player positioning and hotspot patterns from the Kansas City vs North Carolina match. Using spatial event data, we can visualize where teams dominated the field and identify tactical patterns.

Key Findings

• Kansas City's Midfield Control: Heat maps show concentrated activity in the attacking midfield, indicating sustained pressure and ball retention in dangerous areas.
• North Carolina's Struggles: Limited penetration through the center, with most activity pushed to the wings.
• Defensive Shape: Both teams maintained compact defensive structures, resulting in limited space in the final third.

Methodology

Heat maps were generated using spatial coordinates from all on-ball events (passes, shots, tackles, dribbles). Each event location was aggregated using kernel density estimation to create smooth, continuous representations of player activity.

Tactical Implications

Kansas City's ability to control central areas forced North Carolina to rely on counter-attacks and wide play. This pattern is consistent with Kansas City's possession-based approach throughout the season.

Note: This analysis uses data from Opta's event tracking system, containing over 2.5 million events from 12 years of NWSL matches.