Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - Printable Version
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Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - DenverCard - 12-05-2019
For those who care to opine, I'm curious what people feel about tomorrow's soccer games: Men's team in the quarterfinals at Clemson, and women's team in the College Cup (semifinals) against UCLA.
The folks at Top Drawer Soccer, whose analyses tend to be unexpectedly shallow and error-prone for a site devoted to soccer, predicts Stanford to win both games. (Whereas much of their content is behind a paywall, their predictions are available to all.)
https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/mens-division-i-quarterfinals-preview_aid47400
https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/womens-college-cup-preview_aid47403
I feel very good about the prospects of the women to advance and, hopefully, rub North Carolina's face in the dirt in the finals. I am almost equally pessimistic about the men advancing. Were it not for their goalie, Andrew Thomas; the je ne sais quoi that somehow propels them to victory in games when they look like the weaker team; and the fact that for years they've been beating good teams on the road in the NCAAs, I'd give the men no chance tomorrow. I'm especially concerned about them having to play on the East Coast on the Friday after a late game the past Sunday. Moreover, Clemson will undoubtedly be reminded ad nauseam how Stanford beat them 4-0 in the finals 4 years ago.
Predictions?
RE: Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - Farm93 - 12-05-2019
(12-05-2019, 03:17 PM)DenverCard Wrote: For those who care to opine, I'm curious what people feel about tomorrow's soccer games: Men's team in the quarterfinals at Clemson, and women's team in the College Cup (semifinals) against UCLA.Soccer is a sport where predictions are tough.
The folks at Top Drawer Soccer, whose analyses tend to be unexpectedly shallow and error-prone for a site devoted to soccer, predicts Stanford to win both games. (Whereas much of their content is behind a paywall, their predictions are available to all.)
https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/mens-division-i-quarterfinals-preview_aid47400
https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/womens-college-cup-preview_aid47403
I feel very good about the prospects of the women to advance and, hopefully, rub North Carolina's face in the dirt in the finals. I am almost equally pessimistic about the men advancing. Were it not for their goalie, Andrew Thomas; the je ne sais quoi that somehow propels them to victory in games when they look like the weaker team; and the fact that for years they've been beating good teams on the road in the NCAAs, I'd give the men no chance tomorrow. I'm especially concerned about them having to play on the East Coast on the Friday after a late game the past Sunday. Moreover, Clemson will undoubtedly be reminded ad nauseam how Stanford beat them 4-0 in the finals 4 years ago.
Predictions?
Men's soccer - I predict that Stanford won't be able to use their aggressive high pressure strategy to generate mistakes by Clemson. I would expect Clemson to have at least a 60-40 advantage in almost all metrics (time of possession, shots, shots on goal, corner kicks). In other sports that would translate into a win for Clemson. This is soccer so anything in the range from 2-0 Clemson to 1-0 Stanford feel possible.
Women's soccer - UCLA is looking much stronger recently than they played in the beginning of the season. The games against USC and FSU were both impressive. Still, I would expect Stanford to hold at least 70-30 advantages in the key metrics. The wet turf and dropping temperatures should also help Stanford since many southern California youth clubs rarely practice or play in bad weather or even wet fields. Stanford has faster athletes with better ball skills and use of space. Still it is soccer and any team can win if they can just get that first goal. The final score could be anything from 4-0 Stanford to 2-1 UCLA.
Should Stanford advance to the finals - It is hard to imagine Washington State keeps winning, but if they do it will be hard to see them prevailing on Sunday over Stanford or UCLA. North Carolina is a very different deal. That would be a tight game.
On the women's side, I would guess North Carolina would be a slight favorite to win it all going into the College Cup because they have a very weak semifinal opponent.
I would anticipate North Carolina would be a slight favorite over UCLA
I would anticipate Stanford would be a slight favorite over UNC.
RE: Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - MVCard - 12-05-2019
Two thoughts:
1. If you’re in the Bay Area, go to the College Cup this weekend. Avaya is great for soccer and it’s rare to have this collection of teams playing locally in a great venue.
2. BYU came out fired up for the first 5 minutes or so of their game vs us and I think it took us a little while to settle down and play our possession game... can’t give that kind of room to the Bruins. Also I still think we are vulnerable on counters and thru balls... think we have the talent with the starters to deal with it but I’m worried if we have to sub in the back line for some reason.
Griffins78 - Griffins78 - 12-05-2019
Tomorrow night rain in SJ doesn’t look that heavy but very windy. How would that impact the game?
Sakibomb25 - Sakibomb25 - 12-06-2019
One of UNC’s top players, Emily Fox, suffered a torn ACL last Saturday. If the Tar Heels advance on Sunday, it will be tough for them to beat either Stanford or UCLA.
Everyone talks about how amazing our offense has been this year... can you imagine how much better it would have been if Civana Kuhlman hadn’t gotten injured?!?
RE: Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - mbdude - 12-06-2019
What was Civana's injury, never heard.
RE: Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - troyc - 12-06-2019
(12-05-2019, 04:06 PM)Farm93 Wrote: On the women's side, I would guess North Carolina would be a slight favorite to win it all going into the College Cup because they have a very weak semifinal opponent.
I find myself saying this every year: underestimate the Cougs at your own risk.
Troy C
RE: Sakibomb25 - cardfan77 - 12-06-2019
(12-06-2019, 01:04 AM)SakiBomb25 Wrote: can you imagine how much better it would have been if Civana Kuhlman hadn’t gotten injured?!?
Kuhlmann being out allowed Malatskey to shine. We got to see how good of a soccer player Malatskey is. Next season with Macario, Smith, Haley, and Kuhlmann will be incredible. This group will continue to break records. It will be interesting to see who replaces Sam Hiatt.
RE: Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - DenverCard - 12-06-2019
I'm not so sure Macario will be back next year.
RE: Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - oldalum - 12-06-2019
Next year we'll be returning nine starters (Malatsky/Hiatt), and I don't think Malatsky would have started if Kuhlmann had been healthy. Macario seems very tight with her teammates, she's an excellent student, she knows she will have a long pro career ahead of her, she can't play for the U.S. WNT in the Olympics, so she may well want to finish out her Stanford career before turning pro.
Might depend on what happens in the next 3 days.
Sakibomb25 - Sakibomb25 - 12-06-2019
Not saying that she wouldn’t turn pro, but what is the incentive for Macario to? The money isn’t good enough yet for that to be a carrot and she can’t play for the US National Team. I am pretty sure if The WWC fell once a different year, Davidson wouldn’t have left early.
RE: Handicapping tomorrow's soccer games - BostonCard - 12-06-2019
(12-05-2019, 03:17 PM)DenverCard Wrote: For those who care to opine, I'm curious what people feel about tomorrow's soccer games: Men's team in the quarterfinals at Clemson, and women's team in the College Cup (semifinals) against UCLA.
The folks at Top Drawer Soccer, whose analyses tend to be unexpectedly shallow and error-prone for a site devoted to soccer, predicts Stanford to win both games. (Whereas much of their content is behind a paywall, their predictions are available to all.)
https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/mens-division-i-quarterfinals-preview_aid47400
https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/womens-college-cup-preview_aid47403
I feel very good about the prospects of the women to advance and, hopefully, rub North Carolina's face in the dirt in the finals. I am almost equally pessimistic about the men advancing. Were it not for their goalie, Andrew Thomas; the je ne sais quoi that somehow propels them to victory in games when they look like the weaker team; and the fact that for years they've been beating good teams on the road in the NCAAs, I'd give the men no chance tomorrow. I'm especially concerned about them having to play on the East Coast on the Friday after a late game the past Sunday. Moreover, Clemson will undoubtedly be reminded ad nauseam how Stanford beat them 4-0 in the finals 4 years ago.
Predictions?
Well, so far they are right on the first one; let's hope they are right on the women's match as wel;l.
BC