The first image shows how we often lineup now, essentially keeping both our strikers equally high and pretty spread out. They almost fall in line with the defenders. Playing like that, we do not give ourselves many options through the middle and play really long balls down the wings for wide midfielders or forwards to run on to. As we discussed during the game last week and at practice last night, this does not allow for enough of our players to move up together and be in on the attack. Also, when both strikers play in line with the other team's back line, they are very easy to cover. 

What the second image shows is how I think we should be playing...with staggered depth and the strikers closer together to be able to help each other. If the striker closest to the ball drops between the other team's midfielders and defensive backs, they create a target in the middle of the field that allows us to more easily come up together and creates space for the other striker to get open when the other team moves to cover the strikers who are not in line with each other. 

Please look at the various passing options that become available when one striker plays high and one plays low. When we bring the ball up together and the strikers are able to create 2v1 situations with defensive backs, they can make diagonal and curved runs behind the defenders instead of long ball and chase.