[Viking_Guy]

To get the information out there.

Also wanted to point out a bit of a disadvantage for Stanford.  The College Cup is at Pennsylvania's Talen Energy Stadium, the home of the Philadelphia Union MLS team (it's actually in Chester, about 6-7 miles southwest of Philadelphia's center right on the Delaware River, just down river from the airport).  The games are on Friday at 6 pm and 8:30 pm local.

The forecast high for the day is 41 degrees.  Temperature by gametime will probably be in the mid-30s.  At least there's not a major chance of precipitation forecast.

One of those games I actually wish they might have played while the sun was out.  I think Akron and Indiana might have a bit of an advantage over Stanford and to a lesser degree North Carolina in those conditions, given their practice climates.

On Akron, they are a really solid team.  They, like Stanford, had some bad results in the first half of the season, having three bad 1-0 losses in a row (Loyola, Utah Valley (?!?), and Denver), and one more loss at a ranked Western Michigan team.  But they also beat Notre Dame, Western Michigan to win the MAC championship, and just beat a very good Louisville team on the road to make the College Cup.

International lineup: their top scorers are from New Zealand and England, their all-everything Hermann semifinalist FRESHMAN defender is from Portugal, and their keeper is German.

Oh, and we beat them in the semifinals in 2015.  Hmm.  We beat #1 Wake Forest on the road in 2015.  And then #4 seed Akron in that EPIC shootout 8-7 in the semifinal.  Too bad Clemson isn't on the other side of the bracket to meet us in the final and complete the symmetry :).

VG

[Viking_Guy]

To get the information out there.

Also wanted to point out a bit of a disadvantage for Stanford.  The College Cup is at Pennsylvania's Talen Energy Stadium, the home of the Philadelphia Union MLS team (it's actually in Chester, about 6-7 miles southwest of Philadelphia's center right on the Delaware River, just down river from the airport).  The games are on Friday at 6 pm and 8:30 pm local.

The forecast high for the day is 41 degrees.  Temperature by gametime will probably be in the mid-30s.  At least there's not a major chance of precipitation forecast.

One of those games I actually wish they might have played while the sun was out.  I think Akron and Indiana might have a bit of an advantage over Stanford and to a lesser degree North Carolina in those conditions, given their practice climates.

On Akron, they are a really solid team.  They, like Stanford, had some bad results in the first half of the season, having three bad 1-0 losses in a row (Loyola, Utah Valley (?!?), and Denver), and one more loss at a ranked Western Michigan team.  But they also beat Notre Dame, Western Michigan to win the MAC championship, and just beat a very good Louisville team on the road to make the College Cup.

International lineup: their top scorers are from New Zealand and England, their all-everything Hermann semifinalist FRESHMAN defender is from Portugal, and their keeper is German.

Oh, and we beat them in the semifinals in 2015.  Hmm.  We beat #1 Wake Forest on the road in 2015.  And then #4 seed Akron in that EPIC shootout 8-7 in the semifinal.  Too bad Clemson isn't on the other side of the bracket to meet us in the final and complete the symmetry :).

VG

[oldalum]

On Akron  had  three bad 1-0 losses in a row (Loyola, Utah Valley (?!?), and Denver),

Our women beat Utah Valley 9-1, so by transitivity we should crush Akron.  :-\

Whose great idea was it to play in Philly? NCAA has at least shown modest sanity with the women: starting next year, for the next 4 years the College Cup site will alternate between Cary, NC and San Jose.

[oldalum]

On Akron  had  three bad 1-0 losses in a row (Loyola, Utah Valley (?!?), and Denver),

Our women beat Utah Valley 9-1, so by transitivity we should crush Akron.  :-\

Whose great idea was it to play in Philly? NCAA has at least shown modest sanity with the women: starting next year, for the next 4 years the College Cup site will alternate between Cary, NC and San Jose.

[Viking_Guy]

For the men it gets better as well.  For the next four years, it will alternate between Santa Barbara and Cary.  Which of course begs (as does the women's schedule) of such a big advantage to North Carolina programs.  Cary is just west of Raleigh, which means it's less than 20 miles from Duke, UNC, and NC State, and pretty much with 200 miles or so of the entire ACC (or at least the pre-expansion ACC).

Of course, the women being in San Jose is pure and just :).  But hoping that both events will rotate through the warm weather MLS parks (although I guess that only leaves Orlando and LA right now.)  Or even that the NCAA finally considers going to a different schedule for soccer - the fall-spring split season that people have been advocating for, which might address some injury concerns over packing so many games into such a short timeframe.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

For the men it gets better as well.  For the next four years, it will alternate between Santa Barbara and Cary.  Which of course begs (as does the women's schedule) of such a big advantage to North Carolina programs.  Cary is just west of Raleigh, which means it's less than 20 miles from Duke, UNC, and NC State, and pretty much with 200 miles or so of the entire ACC (or at least the pre-expansion ACC).

Of course, the women being in San Jose is pure and just :).  But hoping that both events will rotate through the warm weather MLS parks (although I guess that only leaves Orlando and LA right now.)  Or even that the NCAA finally considers going to a different schedule for soccer - the fall-spring split season that people have been advocating for, which might address some injury concerns over packing so many games into such a short timeframe.

VG

[oldalum]

I'd love split seasons, with shorter half-seasons and no more than one game a week, and less permitted practice time per week as well. Better for physical, mental, and academic health. Maybe fall would be all non-conference games, and spring would be conference games with one warmup exhibition game permitted?

[oldalum]

I'd love split seasons, with shorter half-seasons and no more than one game a week, and less permitted practice time per week as well. Better for physical, mental, and academic health. Maybe fall would be all non-conference games, and spring would be conference games with one warmup exhibition game permitted?

[Viking_Guy]

Just to update, game time temp is probably going to be about 36F, with a snowstorm moving through later tonight.  So the semis should be clear of precipitation.

And btw, this is JUST like the women's tournament - semifinals with the possibility of going late into the night Friday (as UCLA's PK win over Duke did), followed by a 12 noon Eastern Time (EDIT: Seems to be actually 1:00 pm) start on Sunday for the final.  36 hours of recovery time before the ultimate match of the season.  That, bluntly, is wrong.  Couldn't they do the Saturday afternoon-Monday night thing, if they can't spread the games out any more?

BTW, the other semifinal features Grant Lilliard, the Indiana central defender and one of the three Hermann semifinalists, with Tomas Hilliard-Arce and Wake Forest's Grant Bakero (who really no-showed in the quarter last weekend).  He's the guy who was red-carded in Stanford's match against the Hoosiers in Bloomington last year.  That could be an interesting matchup in the final.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Just to update, game time temp is probably going to be about 36F, with a snowstorm moving through later tonight.  So the semis should be clear of precipitation.

And btw, this is JUST like the women's tournament - semifinals with the possibility of going late into the night Friday (as UCLA's PK win over Duke did), followed by a 12 noon Eastern Time (EDIT: Seems to be actually 1:00 pm) start on Sunday for the final.  36 hours of recovery time before the ultimate match of the season.  That, bluntly, is wrong.  Couldn't they do the Saturday afternoon-Monday night thing, if they can't spread the games out any more?

BTW, the other semifinal features Grant Lilliard, the Indiana central defender and one of the three Hermann semifinalists, with Tomas Hilliard-Arce and Wake Forest's Grant Bakero (who really no-showed in the quarter last weekend).  He's the guy who was red-carded in Stanford's match against the Hoosiers in Bloomington last year.  That could be an interesting matchup in the final.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

URL for ESPN stream:

http://www.espn.com/watch/player?bucketId=2&id=3187792

VG

[Viking_Guy]

URL for ESPN stream:

http://www.espn.com/watch/player?bucketId=2&id=3187792

VG

[washingtonismoney]

Game choppy so far -- Akron seems motivated to match Stanford's rugged play. My suspicion is that Akron can't keep this up for an entire game, but we'll see.

[washingtonismoney]

Game choppy so far -- Akron seems motivated to match Stanford's rugged play. My suspicion is that Akron can't keep this up for an entire game, but we'll see.

[washingtonismoney]

People usually talk about a "possession advantage" -- which is a less (but not un-) useful stat -- but Stanford has a "territory advantage": it's possessing the ball more in Akron's final third than vice versa. No dangerous shots (that I've seen) so far.

[washingtonismoney]

People usually talk about a "possession advantage" -- which is a less (but not un-) useful stat -- but Stanford has a "territory advantage": it's possessing the ball more in Akron's final third than vice versa. No dangerous shots (that I've seen) so far.

[Viking_Guy]

Stanford had a good chance for Gilbey about 90 seconds in, but he didn't get it in a good spot, and the keeper had no problems parrying it away.

Akron had a header, but from about 12 yards out.  And Stanford's getting a little compressed here about 15 minutes in.

[Viking_Guy]

Stanford had a good chance for Gilbey about 90 seconds in, but he didn't get it in a good spot, and the keeper had no problems parrying it away.

Akron had a header, but from about 12 yards out.  And Stanford's getting a little compressed here about 15 minutes in.

[Viking_Guy]

And just as I wrote that, another Akron turnover deep in their own end leads to a good chance for Langsdorf from the top of the area, but he leaves it high.

And another good chance for Stanford, but Baird can't get it under the keeper from in close.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

And just as I wrote that, another Akron turnover deep in their own end leads to a good chance for Langsdorf from the top of the area, but he leaves it high.

And another good chance for Stanford, but Baird can't get it under the keeper from in close.

VG

[PalmTree]

GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL!!

That was great!

[PalmTree]

GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL!!

That was great!

[Viking_Guy]

Gol!

Akron turns it over about 35 yards out, Baird goes right and cuts back a delivery to Langsdorf for the SCHWEET DIVING HEADAH at the 6-yard box, and he hammers it home.

1-0.

Go CARD!

[Viking_Guy]

Gol!

Akron turns it over about 35 yards out, Baird goes right and cuts back a delivery to Langsdorf for the SCHWEET DIVING HEADAH at the 6-yard box, and he hammers it home.

1-0.

Go CARD!

[Spiny_Norman]

Video of the goal for those not able to watch live - https://twitter.com/NCAASoccer/status/93...6622706688

It is a thing of beauty.

[Spiny_Norman]

Video of the goal for those not able to watch live - https://twitter.com/NCAASoccer/status/93...6622706688

It is a thing of beauty.

[Viking_Guy]

Stanford very definitely on the front foot throughout the first half.

Akron trying to play the ball from their backline to their distributing holding midfielder, Cordeiro, but he has absolutely no feel for when and where the pressure is coming from.  I think he and his teammates are hampered by not having played against many high-pressure teams; they're always a half-step slow in their play, and Stanford is generating chances off them.

The opening shot by Gilbey.  The goal by Langsdorf.  Most of the best chances have been generated by a turnover in the defensive midfield by the Zips caused by Stanford's pressure.

That said, a bit concerned by Marion's getting caught upfield several times - if the Zips adjust their play to go wide left, they will have more room.  But they seem absolutely dedicated to that center channel through their own defense. Part of it may be Stanford baiting them with their pressure on both outside backs when the ball is central - some of the turnovers are off slow rollers played from central defense up the middle toward the holding midfield.

First 10 minutes oif the second half will be critical.  How much of another gear does Akron have?

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Stanford very definitely on the front foot throughout the first half.

Akron trying to play the ball from their backline to their distributing holding midfielder, Cordeiro, but he has absolutely no feel for when and where the pressure is coming from.  I think he and his teammates are hampered by not having played against many high-pressure teams; they're always a half-step slow in their play, and Stanford is generating chances off them.

The opening shot by Gilbey.  The goal by Langsdorf.  Most of the best chances have been generated by a turnover in the defensive midfield by the Zips caused by Stanford's pressure.

That said, a bit concerned by Marion's getting caught upfield several times - if the Zips adjust their play to go wide left, they will have more room.  But they seem absolutely dedicated to that center channel through their own defense. Part of it may be Stanford baiting them with their pressure on both outside backs when the ball is central - some of the turnovers are off slow rollers played from central defense up the middle toward the holding midfield.

First 10 minutes oif the second half will be critical.  How much of another gear does Akron have?

VG

[81alum]

I don't think I've seen a header three feet off the ground before.  It looked like he used his body to spear the ball.  That was amazing.  Foster Langsdorf is quite a player.

[81alum]

I don't think I've seen a header three feet off the ground before.  It looked like he used his body to spear the ball.  That was amazing.  Foster Langsdorf is quite a player.

[Viking_Guy]

Yep, that was another point.  You can see the defender on the goal gingerly sticking his foot out to clear the ball - as Foster lays out past him to get to the cross first and hammer it home.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Yep, that was another point.  You can see the defender on the goal gingerly sticking his foot out to clear the ball - as Foster lays out past him to get to the cross first and hammer it home.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Two really silly plays by Stanford in the opening 5 minutes give some of the momentum to the Zips.  Panchot (or someone) on the right touchline his a LOFTED dropback pass to Hilliard-Arce, who lays it back to Corti but right into the path of the Zips' forward.  Luckily Corti closes quickly enough to block it away.

Another bad giveaway, but then Stanford earns one of their own and gets Baird to the penalty spot with only the keeper - but Bendt closes well and blocks it our for a corner.

A little nervy right now.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Two really silly plays by Stanford in the opening 5 minutes give some of the momentum to the Zips.  Panchot (or someone) on the right touchline his a LOFTED dropback pass to Hilliard-Arce, who lays it back to Corti but right into the path of the Zips' forward.  Luckily Corti closes quickly enough to block it away.

Another bad giveaway, but then Stanford earns one of their own and gets Baird to the penalty spot with only the keeper - but Bendt closes well and blocks it our for a corner.

A little nervy right now.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Two brobdingnagian saves by Corti on a breakdown by the right side of the defense.  The Zips broke through up the middle and he blocked one, then recovered to his right to stop another from pointblank range.

Our midfield is NOT generating the same kind of pressure at all this half.  Part is the Zips ratcheting up, but a lot of simpler mistakes are happening as well.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Two brobdingnagian saves by Corti on a breakdown by the right side of the defense.  The Zips broke through up the middle and he blocked one, then recovered to his right to stop another from pointblank range.

Our midfield is NOT generating the same kind of pressure at all this half.  Part is the Zips ratcheting up, but a lot of simpler mistakes are happening as well.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Akron definitely with the advantage right now.  Stanford generated a 3-1 break with pressure from Langsdorf, but Bashti forgot the offsides rule and ran in behind the defender.  Sheesh.
23 min left.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Akron definitely with the advantage right now.  Stanford generated a 3-1 break with pressure from Langsdorf, but Bashti forgot the offsides rule and ran in behind the defender.  Sheesh.
23 min left.

VG

[BobK]

I think we lead 1-0.  18 to go

[BobK]

I think we lead 1-0.  18 to go