[DenverCard]

Really nice broadcast of this game, including solid narration and color commentary by the two announcers. Well worth the $4.95 for ESPN+. Contrast that to the very regrettable $14.95 spent on the B1G+ network to watch Stanford-Penn State: live stream of terrible quality, no announcers, and no replay. (I've come to conclude that crappy announcers beat no announcers, if only to give the viewer the opportunity to get riled by terrible takes.) Thank goodness for the 5-0 result of that game to take the sting off the purchase.

However, for all the optimism engendered by the Penn State result, and notwithstanding a real nice victory on the road against a good team and a large crowd, I have concerns about the team. I have a sense that this year's edition of Stanford men's soccer will crush lesser teams, but that they will be vulnerable to teams with good ball skills throughout their lineup, like Akron.

Whereas this was only the second official game, the inability of Stanford to string together a series of passes to mount a productive attack was glaring. There was a plethora of long balls out of the back in the hopes that the athleticism and tenaciousness of the forwards could lead to a payoff, or generate a dead ball opportunity, which is the team's deadliest weapon. Perhaps by dint of nerves/lack of confidence, several Stanford players seemed less technically skilled than their counterparts. Whereas the defensive four, plus goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, are again the team's strength, the defenders also lacked either confidence or skill to build up an attack from the back, and instead were quick to blast the ball up field.

From a personnel standpoint, freshman Ousseni Bouda has been as advertised. Great combination of athleticism, skills, and effort. I anticipate he'll really blossom as he gets accustomed to the college game and the team. Senior Derek Waldeck has always been a favorite of mine. Rock solid in all ways. Zach Ryan, who scored the game-winner against Akron, seems to just know how to score goals. Relative weaknesses, at least thus far, are Charlie Weehan, who always seems somewhat out of control, and Jared Gilbey, who was almost invisible against Akron. I was hoping that as he developed physically, Gilbey would become a better defender and more of an offensive threat, but I have not seen that in the two games this year. Perhaps he is constrained by the role he is asked to play (linking midfielder).

In years past, Stanford has not always looked as pretty as a Wake Forest or even a UCLA; Stanford just did what it took to win games. And that quality seems present once again, so perhaps there's no need to fret. But with player of the year candidate Tanner Beason choosing to return for his redshirt senior year, and Andrew Thomas likely to be courted by the pros after this season, I really want to see any weaknesses in the lineup shored up, if possible.

[DenverCard]

Really nice broadcast of this game, including solid narration and color commentary by the two announcers. Well worth the $4.95 for ESPN+. Contrast that to the very regrettable $14.95 spent on the B1G+ network to watch Stanford-Penn State: live stream of terrible quality, no announcers, and no replay. (I've come to conclude that crappy announcers beat no announcers, if only to give the viewer the opportunity to get riled by terrible takes.) Thank goodness for the 5-0 result of that game to take the sting off the purchase.

However, for all the optimism engendered by the Penn State result, and notwithstanding a real nice victory on the road against a good team and a large crowd, I have concerns about the team. I have a sense that this year's edition of Stanford men's soccer will crush lesser teams, but that they will be vulnerable to teams with good ball skills throughout their lineup, like Akron.

Whereas this was only the second official game, the inability of Stanford to string together a series of passes to mount a productive attack was glaring. There was a plethora of long balls out of the back in the hopes that the athleticism and tenaciousness of the forwards could lead to a payoff, or generate a dead ball opportunity, which is the team's deadliest weapon. Perhaps by dint of nerves/lack of confidence, several Stanford players seemed less technically skilled than their counterparts. Whereas the defensive four, plus goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, are again the team's strength, the defenders also lacked either confidence or skill to build up an attack from the back, and instead were quick to blast the ball up field.

From a personnel standpoint, freshman Ousseni Bouda has been as advertised. Great combination of athleticism, skills, and effort. I anticipate he'll really blossom as he gets accustomed to the college game and the team. Senior Derek Waldeck has always been a favorite of mine. Rock solid in all ways. Zach Ryan, who scored the game-winner against Akron, seems to just know how to score goals. Relative weaknesses, at least thus far, are Charlie Weehan, who always seems somewhat out of control, and Jared Gilbey, who was almost invisible against Akron. I was hoping that as he developed physically, Gilbey would become a better defender and more of an offensive threat, but I have not seen that in the two games this year. Perhaps he is constrained by the role he is asked to play (linking midfielder).

In years past, Stanford has not always looked as pretty as a Wake Forest or even a UCLA; Stanford just did what it took to win games. And that quality seems present once again, so perhaps there's no need to fret. But with player of the year candidate Tanner Beason choosing to return for his redshirt senior year, and Andrew Thomas likely to be courted by the pros after this season, I really want to see any weaknesses in the lineup shored up, if possible.