[Viking_Guy]

OA, agree on Cook's tendency to send "hopeful" balls up the middle.  But Kiki's done it, too, as well as whoever's playing deep-lying midfield - having let the pressure creep up on them, they play a too-soft pass backwards in an attempt to keep possession, rather than being slightly more aggressive and taking a larger risk in trying to turn the ball and split the pressure. It's that diagonal ball from the center mid to one of the center backs split wider, or the ball from a wide back back into the middle. 

UCLA's seen our style often enough to adjust, and their pressure tends to shape in pressing us out to the touchline, tempting those passes back into the middle. If we don't hit that ball with enough pace... well, as a keeper, the phrase "hospital ball" keeps ringing in my head.  Especially with Mace's aggressiveness.

And, BobK, go Tigers! (and for at least this weekend, go Bares!)

VG

[Viking_Guy]

OA, agree on Cook's tendency to send "hopeful" balls up the middle.  But Kiki's done it, too, as well as whoever's playing deep-lying midfield - having let the pressure creep up on them, they play a too-soft pass backwards in an attempt to keep possession, rather than being slightly more aggressive and taking a larger risk in trying to turn the ball and split the pressure. It's that diagonal ball from the center mid to one of the center backs split wider, or the ball from a wide back back into the middle. 

UCLA's seen our style often enough to adjust, and their pressure tends to shape in pressing us out to the touchline, tempting those passes back into the middle. If we don't hit that ball with enough pace... well, as a keeper, the phrase "hospital ball" keeps ringing in my head.  Especially with Mace's aggressiveness.

And, BobK, go Tigers! (and for at least this weekend, go Bares!)

VG