[Hieronymus]

Well low and behold this was viewable on ESPN+. No deep analysis - the video quality wasn’t good enough to try. Looked like the 433 with Jung now entrenched as the 11th starter. Everyone in their normal spots when Jung starts. Pepperdine was very solid, looking like a team you might see in the second round but without a difference maker. Aikey had a brilliant first goal, showing what a difference maker looks like. Overall Stanford played well, but 3-0 flattered a bit.

 It was a good solid win and we are moving on.

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I also watched JMU vs the other USC, and it was a really odd game. Slooow, almost lethargic a lot of the time.  I sort of admire what JMU tries to do, but it didn’t work much at all. They were not skilled enough to execute the tactical possession plan, though the second half was better. They also don’t show the ability to switch gears from slow to fast.

So USC went 433. The stars are the goalie who was mostly untested; so I have no idea if SEC goalie of tthe year is legit. She was very quick off her line though. The other is the CF Barry who was the second leading scorer in the SEC. She is tall - 6 ft - but much more mobile and better with her feet than I expected. Lots of diagonal runs behind the defense. That plays to Evans and Wesley’s strengths better than a pure target forward would.

Otherwise, their left didn’t impress me at all. The real standout for me was the RF Zullo who triggered both goals. How she matches speed-wise vs. Brandt will be very interesting. Weirdly, both goals came from the CDM - Render (3rd team SEC);- who had 2 goals all season. I can’t imagine she will be that far forward much against us. The defense in the second half looked a bit vulnerable, but it was hard to get a good read overall. The CB’s looked a bit slow. Aikey may be able to eat them up. I do see one of the backs - Falla at RB - was also first team SEC. So yeah the right is much stronger then the left.

We will be the better team but see UCLA. No guarantees.

[Hieronymus]

Well low and behold this was viewable on ESPN+. No deep analysis - the video quality wasn’t good enough to try. Looked like the 433 with Jung now entrenched as the 11th starter. Everyone in their normal spots when Jung starts. Pepperdine was very solid, looking like a team you might see in the second round but without a difference maker. Aikey had a brilliant first goal, showing what a difference maker looks like. Overall Stanford played well, but 3-0 flattered a bit.

 It was a good solid win and we are moving on.

---

I also watched JMU vs the other USC, and it was a really odd game. Slooow, almost lethargic a lot of the time.  I sort of admire what JMU tries to do, but it didn’t work much at all. They were not skilled enough to execute the tactical possession plan, though the second half was better. They also don’t show the ability to switch gears from slow to fast.

So USC went 433. The stars are the goalie who was mostly untested; so I have no idea if SEC goalie of tthe year is legit. She was very quick off her line though. The other is the CF Barry who was the second leading scorer in the SEC. She is tall - 6 ft - but much more mobile and better with her feet than I expected. Lots of diagonal runs behind the defense. That plays to Evans and Wesley’s strengths better than a pure target forward would.

Otherwise, their left didn’t impress me at all. The real standout for me was the RF Zullo who triggered both goals. How she matches speed-wise vs. Brandt will be very interesting. Weirdly, both goals came from the CDM - Render (3rd team SEC);- who had 2 goals all season. I can’t imagine she will be that far forward much against us. The defense in the second half looked a bit vulnerable, but it was hard to get a good read overall. The CB’s looked a bit slow. Aikey may be able to eat them up. I do see one of the backs - Falla at RB - was also first team SEC. So yeah the right is much stronger then the left.

We will be the better team but see UCLA. No guarantees.