still hurts, but...

[mes102]

"My biggest concern with listings like this is that it provides validation to the major college soccer scene and the coaches that inhabit it. Neither Wake nor UVA teams showed anything remotely resembling good soccer in the final four. And, despite Paul Gardner's favorable comments about UNC in their semi against Akron, I wasn't favorably disposed to the Tarheels play either. Akron was the only team that attempted and often played skillful entertaining soccer. While their speed of play may have been a bit much, overall they were by far the best of the four----which raises a question in my mind as to whether the big problem (and it is massive) with college soccer is predominantly with the major schools. Could it be that the ability of the major schools to sign the biggest and most athletic players means that the smaller schools have to resort to signing real soccer players and they end up actually playing real soccer??? "http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/snet-719595Any thoughts?

[Z.I.P.]

"My biggest concern with listings like this is that it provides validation to the major college soccer scene and the coaches that inhabit it. Neither Wake nor UVA teams showed anything remotely resembling good soccer in the final four. And, despite Paul Gardner's favorable comments about UNC in their semi against Akron, I wasn't favorably disposed to the Tarheels play either. Akron was the only team that attempted and often played skillful entertaining soccer. While their speed of play may have been a bit much, overall they were by far the best of the four----which raises a question in my mind as to whether the big problem (and it is massive) with college soccer is predominantly with the major schools. Could it be that the ability of the major schools to sign the biggest and most athletic players means that the smaller schools have to resort to signing real soccer players and they end up actually playing real soccer??? "http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/snet-719595Any thoughts?

Well...American college soccer is very much like MAC (American) football. Often crappy, ocassionally entertaining, but allowing players who put up big numbers -- especially against lesser competition -- to sign big (by MLS standards, like Zakuani's 175k signing last year) contracts with Major League Soccer. But the majority of US fans understand the ultimate reality -- college soccer does nothing to develop players into world class footballers. Yes -- real fans could see Akron was the most skilled team, because they had the most skilled players with the most international experience, but on that weekend, defensive tactics and play trumped athleticism and skill. American soccer just doesn't develop offensive players who can easily break down defenders while moving the ball to goal. "Big" players are popular to MLS GMs and some EPL teams, where physical play is more important than athleticism or strategy. That is the reason why neither England or the US will be winning any World Cups anytime soon.

[72 Roo]

"My biggest concern with listings like this is that it provides validation to the major college soccer scene and the coaches that inhabit it. Neither Wake nor UVA teams showed anything remotely resembling good soccer in the final four. And, despite Paul Gardner's favorable comments about UNC in their semi against Akron, I wasn't favorably disposed to the Tarheels play either. Akron was the only team that attempted and often played skillful entertaining soccer. While their speed of play may have been a bit much, overall they were by far the best of the four----which raises a question in my mind as to whether the big problem (and it is massive) with college soccer is predominantly with the major schools. Could it be that the ability of the major schools to sign the biggest and most athletic players means that the smaller schools have to resort to signing real soccer players and they end up actually playing real soccer??? "http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/snet-719595Any thoughts?

Well...American college soccer is very much like MAC (American) football. Often crappy, ocassionally entertaining, but allowing players who put up big numbers -- especially against lesser competition -- to sign big (by MLS standards, like Zakuani's 175k signing last year) contracts with Major League Soccer. But the majority of US fans understand the ultimate reality -- college soccer does nothing to develop players into world class footballers. Yes -- real fans could see Akron was the most skilled team, because they had the most skilled players with the most international experience, but on that weekend, defensive tactics and play trumped athleticism and skill. American soccer just doesn't develop offensive players who can easily break down defenders while moving the ball to goal. "Big" players are popular to MLS GMs and some EPL teams, where physical play is more important than athleticism or strategy. That is the reason why neither England or the US will be winning any World Cups anytime soon.

Gotta Agree with you Z.I.P. Until other American coaches forsake packing it in to win a game and start daring to play attacking soccer, the game risks stagnation. Unfortunately, coaches are paid to win, not protect and grow the game. I've also come to the conclusion that many college coaches don't know how to attack in the modern sense with using all 10 field players. Our coach does and we are lucky to have him. I think we have every chance to build a dynasty here.

[johnnyzip84]

Gotta Agree with you Z.I.P. Until other American coaches forsake packing it in to win a game and start daring to play attacking soccer, the game risks stagnation. Unfortunately, coaches are paid to win, not protect and grow the game. I've also come to the conclusion that many college coaches don't know how to attack in the modern sense with using all 10 field players. Our coach does and we are lucky to have him. I think we have every chance to build a dynasty here.

I hadn't really thought of it this way, but you nailed it 72_Roo. The Zips basically play an extension of the "total football" championed by the Dutch several decades ago and carried on by club teams like Arsenal and Barcelona.Wiki LinkIf we can win a few NCAA championships, maybe others will climb aboard. There's nothing like success to breed imitation.

[72 Roo]

Hey Johnny. Coming from someone obviously as wise as you I'll take any compliment I can get. Been a bad day, but being a Zip fan always makes me feel better. Looking at our soccer team makes me feel downright ecstatic! Don't you love seeing them play "dominant soccer" as Caleb has called it!Oh, BTW, Virginia, you should be ashamed to have won it the way you did.Fear the Roo!

[Z.I.P.]

Gotta Agree with you Z.I.P. Until other American coaches forsake packing it in to win a game and start daring to play attacking soccer, the game risks stagnation. Unfortunately, coaches are paid to win, not protect and grow the game. I've also come to the conclusion that many college coaches don't know how to attack in the modern sense with using all 10 field players. Our coach does and we are lucky to have him. I think we have every chance to build a dynasty here.

I hadn't really thought of it this way, but you nailed it 72_Roo. The Zips basically play an extension of the "total football" championed by the Dutch several decades ago and carried on by club teams like Arsenal and Barcelona.Wiki LinkIf we can win a few NCAA championships, maybe others will climb aboard. There's nothing like success to breed imitation.

Alllllllright! I've taken off my wooden shoes, and propped up my feet to type this. Can anyone tell us if Akron was playing Totaalvoetbal when Darlington fell back to play what looked to all to be a defensive midfield role against Virginia in the NCAA title game? If so, who was supposed to come up and fill Nagbe's position -- and where the heck was he? I liked Sarkodie's play on the right wing, and Speas made an honest effort to attack from his MF spot, but no one but Bunbury was making runs in the center of the field for 90% of that game. This is a case where having a single superlative scorer allows the defense to single that guy out while the offense is stopped from playing any sort of triangular passing scheme in front of the goal.Damn! I feel like a coach or somethin. I bet GP-1 just shrugged his shoulders and swore not to open the soccer board ever again.

[johnnyzip84]

Gotta Agree with you Z.I.P. Until other American coaches forsake packing it in to win a game and start daring to play attacking soccer, the game risks stagnation. Unfortunately, coaches are paid to win, not protect and grow the game. I've also come to the conclusion that many college coaches don't know how to attack in the modern sense with using all 10 field players. Our coach does and we are lucky to have him. I think we have every chance to build a dynasty here.

I hadn't really thought of it this way, but you nailed it 72_Roo. The Zips basically play an extension of the "total football" championed by the Dutch several decades ago and carried on by club teams like Arsenal and Barcelona.Wiki LinkIf we can win a few NCAA championships, maybe others will climb aboard. There's nothing like success to breed imitation.

Alllllllright! I've taken off my wooden shoes, and propped up my feet to type this. Can anyone tell us if Akron was playing Totaalvoetbal when Darlington fell back to play what looked to all to be a defensive midfield role against Virginia in the NCAA title game? If so, who was supposed to come up and fill Nagbe's position -- and where the heck was he? I liked Sarkodie's play on the right wing, and Speas made an honest effort to attack from his MF spot, but no one but Bunbury was making runs in the center of the field for 90% of that game. This is a case where having a single superlative scorer allows the defense to single that guy out while the offense is stopped from playing any sort of triangular passing scheme in front of the goal.Damn! I feel like a coach or somethin. I bet GP-1 just shrugged his shoulders and swore not to open the soccer board ever again.

Z.I.P. are you really Johan Cruyff in disguise?

[Z.I.P.]

Gotta Agree with you Z.I.P. Until other American coaches forsake packing it in to win a game and start daring to play attacking soccer, the game risks stagnation. Unfortunately, coaches are paid to win, not protect and grow the game. I've also come to the conclusion that many college coaches don't know how to attack in the modern sense with using all 10 field players. Our coach does and we are lucky to have him. I think we have every chance to build a dynasty here.

I hadn't really thought of it this way, but you nailed it 72_Roo. The Zips basically play an extension of the "total football" championed by the Dutch several decades ago and carried on by club teams like Arsenal and Barcelona.Wiki LinkIf we can win a few NCAA championships, maybe others will climb aboard. There's nothing like success to breed imitation.

Alllllllright! I've taken off my wooden shoes, and propped up my feet to type this. Can anyone tell us if Akron was playing Totaalvoetbal when Darlington fell back to play what looked to all to be a defensive midfield role against Virginia in the NCAA title game? If so, who was supposed to come up and fill Nagbe's position -- and where the heck was he? I liked Sarkodie's play on the right wing, and Speas made an honest effort to attack from his MF spot, but no one but Bunbury was making runs in the center of the field for 90% of that game. This is a case where having a single superlative scorer allows the defense to single that guy out while the offense is stopped from playing any sort of triangular passing scheme in front of the goal.Damn! I feel like a coach or somethin. I bet GP-1 just shrugged his shoulders and swore not to open the soccer board ever again.

Z.I.P. are you really Johan Cruyff in disguise?

Don't tell my friend Ruud Gullitt. I think I could coach de Galaxy better den he.