In the boys game, even on the games I watch online, from mls to silver, on average each team will have at least 4 from the defensive line per game, particularly cbs, and excluding corner/cross defense. More if the opposite team is trying to get a lot of through balls over the line in the air or the gk is punting. The boys also just knock it up into the air for aerial contests a lot at all levels.
if my gk son we’re on a higher level team where the defenders refused To go for the aerial balls, and as a result he were having to 1v1 often (against such a team playing over the top maybe as many as 20 times a game), putting himself at more risk not to mention getting blamed for more goals, the coach and I would certainly have a discussion. And I guarantee that I wouldn’t be the only parent he’d be hearing from as they yell what’s the matter with our defense