Maryland Terrapins 2017

Hate to break it to you, but the ACC isn't what you remember. Sure, the old days of round robins were great, and you aren't going to get arguments about that from probably anyone. The reality of the 21st century is that that version of the ACC is long since dead. Getting a schedule of NC St, Duke, at Syracuse, at Boston College, Louisville, at Pitt, at Wake, Virginia Tech is good, but it's not these storied rivalries that you're trying to sell. I won't even get into the absurdity of assigned rivalries in football and basketball (spoiler: Maryland vs Big East team isn't compelling).

And GTFO out of here with maybe top 10. At the absolute worst Maryland is a top 5 program in the country, and even that is giving a lot of latitude. Did last season end on a down note? Yes. Does that mean that Maryland is suddenly a worse program. Of course not. Are we suddenly a better program if Grajeda sees the handball in 2013 (sorry to potentially open that can of worms again) or if guys can make a penalty in 2015? We'd have more silverware/banners, but it doesn't necessarily mean the teams were any better.

And to wrap up, I'd like to again point out that the 2016 team was one that frustrated a ton of fans throughout the season, not just after the Providence disaster. A team that went unbeaten through the regular season and was the overwhelming favorite even here to win the championship.

P.S. You're also even more laughably wrong if you think moving to the B1G has negatively impacted lacrosse or baseball. I mean, I don't even see how someone could have those opinions.

 

Yep, that's the way it is with you guys. They haven't won a title since 2008 -- eight years -- and you insist they are still top 5. Plus, you always have your excuses: if Player X had done this or not done that they would have had another Final Four or NT blah blah blah. Its always the woulda coulda shoulda excuses with Maryland fans. I hate to tell you but mistakes, refereeing, and penalty kicks are part of the game. Go cry in your cheerios if you can't handle it.

And as to your absurd comments about the ACC, to quote the league site in reference to the 2016 tournament: "A record nine teams will participate in the NCAA Tournament. Seven of the nine teams earned seeds and byes to the second round." Eight teams advanced to the 3rd round; five teams to the Quarterfinals; two to the Final Four; one national runner-up. Yes, it is not your father's ACC. It is now stronger. If you deny that then you are just trying to do marketing work for the B1G. Good luck with that.

 

Name the better programs then.

 

Anyway, with each passing U-20 game, I become more convinced that Eryk Williamson will be playing soccer somewhere that isn't College Park this fall. It would be great to have him back, but that's one position where there is some quality depth in place.

 

That's easy. We already talked about Virginia and Stanford who have won it twice since Maryland won its last title. Then just look at Sandon's list on the previous page and you see Akron with their title and two Final Fours; North Carolina with a title and three FF's; Wake Forest and UCLA with two Final Fours and each with one more recent than Maryland. That is six teams right there with a better recent record and/or better over the past eight years. Indiana and Notre Dame each with one recent national title makes eight teams. And we can also make the argument that Providence's 2014 appearance in the Final Four shows their "upset" of Maryland last year was not a fluke even though a lot of people seem convinced it was. At this point one could also say that Clemson has had more recent success than Maryland albeit based on one Final Four in 2015.

Finally, there is the question of the local area. Georgetown and UMBC have more recent Final Fours than Maryland. Granted, they didn't do anything last year but neither did Maryland unless you are still living off their regular season heroics. Based on results and current recruiting, I would say Georgetown has at least pulled even with Maryland. Probably can't say they have gotten past the Terps but it is now very close. However, I can safely predict that if Williamson goes pro early the Maryland fans will have their excuse as always, ignoring all the kids from other schools who have left early including Georgetown. And then there is the Hoya's recruiting for this year...

One more thing re: my remarks about Maryland lacrosse yesterday. That was primarily meant for Men's Lax which has gone 42 years without an NT. I admit that means their long suffering started well before the move to the B1G. I stand by my position that the move didn't help them as it did not help men's soccer. The women's lax team is a different story. They seem to be in an alternative universe where they win no matter where they are. When you have a near-genius coach like Cathy Reese, that can happen. Both teams are in their respective Final Fours this weekend. Hoping things change for the men and don't change for the women.

 

I see where Maryland got a 2018 commit from Justin Gielen, a forward from DeMatha. Any info about him? I only heard he was a point guard on their basketball team, don't know anything else about him.

 

I think the question was what are the top programs in the country. The way that I define top program is not a single class, but consistent high over many classes. So, for example, I wouldn't include Gtown in 1 of the top programs (even though I personally like Brian and think he's doing a good job), because he's really only had that 1 class starting with Ian C and ending with the NYRB kids ending in 2015.

UMBC, just no. Pete and his program is a mid-major, at best.

Here are the programs that I would consider (in no particular order).

• Maryland
• UNC
• Clemson
  
• Louisville
• Wake Forest, maybe
• Notre Dame
• Indiana
• Creighton
• Washington
• USC
• UCLA
• Stanford

I considered but wouldn't include USF, UConn (primarily because I despise Ray), UCLA, OSU, Cal, UVA (though I vacillated about this one), Denver, NM.

I'm sure that I'm missing a worthy team, but it just slipped my mind. I didn't consider non-D1 teams.

Also, if you didn't read this list and immediately notice that I included a school that doesn't play D1 soccer, you should not comment on this post!

 

http://dailytrojan.com/2015/02/19/mens-soccer-is-absent-at-usc/

 

Here are a couple videos of Gielen in action for his Baltimore Celtic club and DeMatha high school teams.




Justin's brother James also plays for UMBC.

 

Nice article about two Maryland, and DeMatha Catholic High School, soccer alums and teammates who will be facing off tonight in the US Open Cup -- one playing for DC United and one playing for amateur side Christos FC, hailing from Baltimore, MD.

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/feat...urce=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_m_medium=t

 

It really is odd the situ at USC. One would think that by way of conference affiliation, geographic location, popularity of youth soccer, etc. they would have a solid program. Seems like a missed opportunity.

 

So I have watched the college scenearound here a lot andplayed way back too. ACC is still pretty darn good and it wa always them or Big East to me that was the most fun to watch. Older MD- UVA rivalries were great but the soccer in them kind of got worse even when UVA won their last tite=le they played bad soccer. The most exciting team back a ways was Georgetown. they just went for it when the old coach had them. I saw someone say they only had 2.5 scholarships with him but I am not sure they even had that. they wer fun and even thought the team now with Weisse has had some big years they are so robotic it isn't always fun to watch. with MD in big10 things are just not so good. Still give me an ACC game any day

 

The "old coach" Keith Tabatznik, told me 2.5 'ships was the most he ever had at any one time, so you are right that this was a barely funded program for long stretches. He did a tremendous job with what he had.

 

Georgetown's former coach Tabatznik is a great guy. I got to know him a bit with the Maryland ODP program, and from some camps he ran. Here is what he's doing now ... http://www.soccerwire.com/notes/mclean-youth-soccer-hires-keith-tabatznik-as-director-of-soccer/

 

Thank you. He is a good person and Mclean looks like a great club. I looked at the coaching list and it is impressive. also has Jaime Moreno with them. Maybe he should help DC !?

 

4 new announcements today to go along with 2 announced departures.

Chase Gaspar in from UCLA
Johannes Bergmann from Germany (defender)
Misha de Waa--Hart from Australia via the Netherlands (goalkeeper)
Alejandro Chacon from Venezuela (goalkeeper)

Leaving are Justin Bajek and Peter Janda (Delaware and pros, respectively). That helps make sense of why two keepers are suddenly coming on board.

 

Maryland has added two foreign GKs, to go with the Canadian Dayne St. Clair (because we all know there aren't good GKs in the US). St. Clair came to College Park with a lot of hype but has played sparingly in 2 seasons. Is this a sign that he isn't as good as advertised?

 

We had two American keepers! It's just that they left (I'm assuming later than anticipated). I can only assume these guys are ones that fit the combo of good(ish) and available. Hopefully someone between the new guys and St Clair step up this season because the opportunity is there for the taking.

Although if you're a class of 2018 keeper this situation has to catch your attention. It's not like Sasho has been shy about playing freshmen in net...

 

Well if the one from Venezuela is good then he would probably be the first good GK ever from there!

 

Couldn't help but to notice that Diego Silva isn't listed on the roster anymore. Not terribly surprising given the lineups from spring ball, but it certainly helps explain the Gasper move. Hope he does well wherever he ends up and that he can shake the injury bug.

 

Well, given that almost the entire starting defense graduated, I'm not too surprised to see a transfer in the back.

 

Per a poster on the YNT board...

Eryk Williamson is heading to Sweden next week for a trial with Hammarby (Charlie Davies' old club) according to reports in Swedish media. http://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/allsvenskan/hammarby-ar-pa-vag-att-varva-u21-landslagsman/

 

Congrats to the two Terps who helped U.S. get the gold!