09-17-2018, 01:08 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-17-2018, 01:21 AM by Viking_Guy.)
OA--
You're right, the penalty was legit; just seemed like some of the tackles in the Santa Clara penalty area were just as questionable, especially in the OTs.
A couple of more thoughts: if Naomi plays this well, I could see Tierna moving back to defensive center mid, and pushing Hiatt further up the pitch. Not to put too fine a point on it, but our midfield has not looked great in the last few games, especially in the center of the pitch; a whole lot of three-bounces long shots, and trying to hit a 30-yard perfectly weighted ball through three defenders. Today, Santa Clara gave them acres of space to bring the ball up, because the Broncos were pushing up. But they kept on going central and quick, or at most a slight diagonal ball, rather than work wide and bring more players into the attack.
Not quite sure why Gruebel is starting; she's good on the ball, and has a nice shot, but not very quick, and drifts central a bit too much, letting the Broncos keep the field narrow. Macario and Smith working off of Haley feel much more dangerous.
On Madison - I can't figure out if she's more physical than other players, or just gets called for it more often. It really does feel like her defender can play her much more aggressively than the referees are allowing Madison to play.
Hoping that Hiatt is all right, and that Tierna and Michelle continue to heal.
VG
MT--
You're right, Jahansouz, while she had a great initial stop on the PK, didn't have her best game. Beyond the misadventure at midfield, when she completely whiffed on a bouncing ball after coming 15 yards out of her box on a high arcing ball forward, there was a play in the first half when a ball was headed up from about 12 yards, and literally bounced about a yard inside the crease five yards in front of her with no one between her and where it came down, and she froze on her endline for a second or two, rather than coming to grab it out of the air. Ended up in a chance for the Broncos.
The producer didn't seem to have a feel for soccer, or was, as if often the case, trying to do too many things as part of a short crew; often late coming back to the play, and trying for coach and crowd shots, or to pick out individual players the commentators are discussing, while the ball is out of frame and in play. The play by play was Troy Clardy, who for the most part does a fine job. And the color guy, Chris Sullivan, has some great observations, but (1) takes a lot of words to get there, and then repeats them a lot, and (2) extols a few players, and then constantly returns to them during the match.
VG
You're right, the penalty was legit; just seemed like some of the tackles in the Santa Clara penalty area were just as questionable, especially in the OTs.
A couple of more thoughts: if Naomi plays this well, I could see Tierna moving back to defensive center mid, and pushing Hiatt further up the pitch. Not to put too fine a point on it, but our midfield has not looked great in the last few games, especially in the center of the pitch; a whole lot of three-bounces long shots, and trying to hit a 30-yard perfectly weighted ball through three defenders. Today, Santa Clara gave them acres of space to bring the ball up, because the Broncos were pushing up. But they kept on going central and quick, or at most a slight diagonal ball, rather than work wide and bring more players into the attack.
Not quite sure why Gruebel is starting; she's good on the ball, and has a nice shot, but not very quick, and drifts central a bit too much, letting the Broncos keep the field narrow. Macario and Smith working off of Haley feel much more dangerous.
On Madison - I can't figure out if she's more physical than other players, or just gets called for it more often. It really does feel like her defender can play her much more aggressively than the referees are allowing Madison to play.
Hoping that Hiatt is all right, and that Tierna and Michelle continue to heal.
VG
MT--
You're right, Jahansouz, while she had a great initial stop on the PK, didn't have her best game. Beyond the misadventure at midfield, when she completely whiffed on a bouncing ball after coming 15 yards out of her box on a high arcing ball forward, there was a play in the first half when a ball was headed up from about 12 yards, and literally bounced about a yard inside the crease five yards in front of her with no one between her and where it came down, and she froze on her endline for a second or two, rather than coming to grab it out of the air. Ended up in a chance for the Broncos.
The producer didn't seem to have a feel for soccer, or was, as if often the case, trying to do too many things as part of a short crew; often late coming back to the play, and trying for coach and crowd shots, or to pick out individual players the commentators are discussing, while the ball is out of frame and in play. The play by play was Troy Clardy, who for the most part does a fine job. And the color guy, Chris Sullivan, has some great observations, but (1) takes a lot of words to get there, and then repeats them a lot, and (2) extols a few players, and then constantly returns to them during the match.
VG