Film study: Reid Bowering’s off-ball masterclass has lifted Atlas offense

The New York Atlas came into training camp with four lefty midfielders in Kyle Jackson, Cole Williams, Payton Cormier and Reid Bowering. By Week 4 of the season, only one had emerged as a key contributor to New York’s offense.

It was Bowering, who entered camp under the radar after appearing in just three games over his first two PLL seasons.

The Canadian lefty is not the fastest or the strongest midfielder when he steps on the field, but he possesses some of the best IQ out of any player who runs through the box.

“Having a guy like Reid inside draws defense’s attention, and also him setting off ball picks in there really helps open up our entire offense,” said Atlas attackman Xander Dickson, who believes that Bowering’s emergence has strengthened the unit’s trust. “Our offense has a ton of trust in one another all over the field. Guys excel in one thing or another, but we’re pretty positionless as a group, which gives us a ton of flexibility to run different looks.”

The Atlas added Bowering to their 19-man roster after their 1-2 skid to start the season and are 5-1 since he began seeing substantial minutes in the team’s offense. Bowering’s role, which rarely gets accounted for in the stat sheet, has brought a new light to New York’s offense. What is his role exactly? Create space for everyone around him.

Prior to Bowering being inserted into New York’s offense, reigning league MVP Jeff Teat was averaging just 2.6 points per game. Since Bowering’s addition, Teat’s points per game average has bumped to 4.6.

Bowering has been crucial in New York’s pick game on the lefty side to help clear room for Teat to have more freedom to either distribute or score with a larger window to operate.

Here’s a great example of how Bowering’s movement off-ball creates a better look for Teat to find Dickson for a crease finish: Bowering sets a screen that allows for Dickson to get space on the inside for a split second, leading to a New York goal.

Against the California Redwoods, Bowering ran a nearly identical action, freeing Dickson on a well-timed screen that leads to an uncontested finish in front of the goal.

In this clip, Bowering does an amazing job drawing attention by using his body to signal for Teat to get the ball. Once Teat initiates the dodge, Bowering begins to backpedal, attracting his defender to move with him and allowing Teat to gain room right down the middle of Philadelphia’s defense.

A play like this will not be in the stat sheet, but the ability for Bowering to open a lane for Teat to dodge leads directly to an Atlas goal.

Here is another under-the-radar play: a textbook pick by Bowering that gives midfielder Bryan Costabile time and room to get a shot off on the run.

In this set, Bowering initiates a textbook big/little for Connor Shellenberger behind the cage. California’s defense switches the matchup, putting a short stick on Shellenberger. With more space to distribute, Shellenberger initiates his dodge and finds Jake Stevens wide open for an easy finish.

Even with his off-ball prowess, Bowering still manages to tally his own points using his savviness.

Here, Bowering sets a pass-down, pick-down for Teat on the left wing. With the defense quick to assume Bowering will roll to the inside, he stays put and gives Teat room up the hash to let off a shot that leads to an Atlas goal.

Bowering put his finishing abilities on display last week against the Denver Outlaws. He notched two consecutive behind-the-back goals to get the scoring started for New York.

Though New York lost in overtime, Bowering finished the game with a career-high three goals and one assist.

Atlas head coach Mike Pressler was pleased to see Bowering shine in light of how well he has contributed to New York’s offense this season.

“Reid has been so consistent, and he’s been great,” Pressler said. “He has won that job, he has been a mainstay for us week in and week out, and you know what you are going to get with 98 — so tough, so reliable.”