bisbee

I think GT has gone crazy

Nope

Passion,Practice,Persistence,Patience,Participation

GOL GOL GOL

Seems to be a trend this season...not much until second half. Looks like offense has woken up

Seems to be a trend this season...not much until second half.

Mayer is also starting too. He hasn't played in weeks.

Let's hope they go on an 8 game win streak starting today.

rather than touting attendance figures i would like the situation to be that our level of play was improving dramatically on the international scene.

Maryland also had edge in corners 18-2. Apparently maryland scored a goal right on/immediately after final buzzer which was not allowed. Talk about not being able to finish with that many shots....crazy. This probably helps our RPI in some way. Damn michigan schools One can only imagine how crazy the ACC tournament will be.

Huh? What do you mean?

It would be interesting to look at goals scored to this point in the season from last year to this year. I believe that last year we had at least 2 guys with double digit goals. Besides Mattocks there really has been little production from any one else. Guys who scored early in the season have been no where to be found on the scorers sheet since then. I know Kofi had I think 8 last year. It's very difficult to replace all the guys we lost and i think this is obvious. Still we ought to get a first round bye and the NCAA tournament always brings surprises.

I don't think tired defenders is the problem. Defenders are typically never subbed for in any soccer match. Problem is lack of consistent finishing. The goals are there but we are not taking advantage of the opportunities we have. If you don't score you can't win. In exactly one third of our games (6) we have scored no more than one goal and in 3 we have been shut out. Other problem is that we don't "show up" offensively until the second half in too many games. This is my first year of watching Zips soccer . I think the talent is there but it needs to be displayed on a much more consistent basis.Better to have lost yesterday then in NCAA playoffs. Porter seems to still be searching for the right combination of guys. I think there have been 11 different starting lineups so far this season.

Couldn't really tell what happened. Was it a play on a quick counter? Did defenders have to chase back?

You all need to remember that the coaches poll IS NOT the main factor in post season ranking/seeding. It is the RPI . Plus the NCAA does not like to send teams along way away when determining the groups. Would be interesting to see an Akron-Indiana matchup. Also could wind up in a group with Creighton.

Number 3 in latest RPI James Madison with a HUGE loss to Drexel (RPI in 150s) 2-0.

Number 3 James Madison with a HUGE LOSS to Drexel 2-0.

There definitely ought to be a change after the ACC tournament but depending on the actual RPI numbers it can not be simply viewed that a loss will drop them very far given the RPI of who they lose to and whether it is home or road game. At least we know there won't be any ties.

We are ranked Number 10. NIU is at Number 16. We will presumably play and beat them which will increase our RPI. However, we can' t afford a stumble over next 4 games or we could wind up out of Top 16.

No great surprise on mattocks. With his numbers it is a given.

This could also force us to model player development the way the rest of the world does. We are virtually the only country (perhaps canada) that probably plays collegiate soccer. Collegiate soccer IS NOT a medium conducive to the development of world class talent.

It all has to do with money and nothing else. Also think Title IX may be a factor. I think it looks like most nonrevenue sports are in trouble...not just soccer. this also has the potential to impact the pool of MLS ready players as most now come from collegiate programs. The MLS certainly cannot think this is a good direction to take but don't know what if anything they can do.

The home grown rule allows MLS to sign those so designated players without them having to enter the draft. I believe the rule states that they have to live in a specific geographic area relative to where the MLS franchise is (maybe 100 miles?) and they need to have been in the MLS teams' academy program for at least one year. I know that at least the Seattle Sounders will offer the" back to college to get the degree thing" for home grown guys so I imagine all the others will do the same. The GenAd contracts,I think, are for four years at 100k a year and are typically only offered to the 10 or so "best " players in the country. They home grown contracts do not come with any financial stipulation as far as I know so the league minimum is at least a starting point.

Instead of being concerned about the attendance why no discussion about what happened on the field? This game represented a definite departure of tactics and lineup from prior games this season. What do those of you who saw the game think?

WOW...GREAT for US.