Comments

1. Did anybody watch the Standford Akron game last night? I don’t watch much College soccer but if those were some of the best teams in the country then something is seriously wrong. They were awful in every aspect of the game.

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   • I think that both semi-final games were a true depiction of the closest thing we have to an American-style of soccer. Hard physical play in defense with pressure on the ball, and a lack of ability offensively to break down or break through a sturdy defense. This is the way a college game looks.

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     • Dead on! This has been the American style for 2 decades. Physically pressure and counter. Hopefully, have a guy who can create a little something offensively. US has to do something to focus on finding and developing those players.

     • *US has to do something to focus on finding and developing creative, attacking players.

       I just feel we have too many coaches along the way during youth development that focus on wining games rather than developing technical, attacking players.

   • I didn’t watch the semis, but I watched a couple of the quarter final games and had no fun at all.

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   • I don’t want to blame college soccer too much… But when you have unlimited subs this is the ideal way to play. Infinite sprinting, high press, and then sub when people are exhausted. There is no in game penalization for wasting energy. This also means offensive players dont have a requirement to learn how to pace games and slow down or speed up the offense as needed.
     I’m optimistic that the academy system is slowly going to change the type of player we produce, and I think college will always have some late blooming gems. But right now, the system creates a lot of 23 year old rookies who are prized for running around chaotically with little tactical sense. We need more 19 year old rookies who understand positioning and tactical nuance.

     Then we can self select the most athletically gifted of that cohort.

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     • The current youth set up – AYSO and USSF – with the ODP and regional games are the same. I don’t think the college substitution rules are the reason for the style or quality of the game. Instead it is the “Must-win” approach at the highest levels of youth development and especially college. A college coach is hired to win games. the easiest way is to put 10 guys on defense and allow your best runner and skilled player to make something happen and win 1-0.

     • I also think that the contrast in style by Akron – at least when Caleb Porter was coaching – made Akron such a dominant team and a team that was fun to watch. They played a ball control style, but could attack.

       But, they only won one college cup, because they got beat by bunkered teams – predominantly ACC teams – which has been the best conference in college soccer for a few years now.

     • I don’t see why the NCAA has to change the rules from how it is played everywhere else anyway. It’s an abomination and it doesn’t serve US players well. Plus the fact that the NCAA limits how much teams can practice. When good players come out of college soccer, it is in spite of the NCAA, not because of it.

2. L………o……….L Man Poo.

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3. NSC reporting Bobby Wood bagged a brace today. Seems like he’s hit goals at a decent clip this season. Any SBI peops with observations on his overall play at Union Berlin?

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4. 4′ Sund down 1-0. Yedlin subbed off in 18′ (half tactical sub since they had 3 fullbacks on the pitch, half performance sub- Yedlin had a few errant passes already( with a couple tackles to his defense).
   Nonetheless………

   SUNDERLAND(and bryan) …….. L………..O………L…………..

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