China lost 2-0 to Germany, but Zhao had one of China's only highlights. She looks to be a good midfielder as does Howell. We definitely need to be stronger there.
I noticed on a video FSU soccer twitter a VERY short player, I did not recognize her. As no one on the current roster is shorter than 5'4 I am curious as to who she is. It looks like Ari Hudson, but she graduated. I wonder who she is?
As I make this post, I'll admit a little paranoia when it comes to Mark K. letting anyone (TV, media, fans) have access to his program. If I'm wrong, I apologize up front. I'm just anxious to see our new team, so I look on the TV schedule as much as I can find of it. Seminoles.com soccer schedule includes no TV mention. Vandy at Home Aug 16 Not listed on ACCDN etc. NC, Syr, ND Duke and L'ville all on ACCDN (home games) On Friday the 17 Pitt, Virginia and VT join the crowd. Sunday the 19th we play Troy at home. No ACCDN listed; meanwhile, Pitt, Duke, VT, ND, UNC, UM, Ville, UVA on ACCDN Thurs 23 at Wisconsin it's an away game no ACCDN there, but WF, Syr, ND and NCS all ACCDN 24 Pitt, VT and WF home ACCDN games. Sunday the 26th we play Midd Tenn at home. No ACCDN, but Pitt, BC, Clemson, UVA, UNC , VT, Duke and NCS all on ACCDN Friday Aug 31st vs USC at home is the first ACCDN game for FSU also Ville and Clemson. Am I missing something? Am I just being paranoid? To summarize, other ACC teams on multiple times (UNC 3x Duke 3x, VT 3x) us 1x. We play UCLA the 2nd Sept, but to be fair, ACCDN not showing being scheduled that far out. In my paranoid opinion, this has Mark's hands on it. He would be happy if no other team ever had film on his team.
http://seminoles.com/noles-start-at-no-9-place-two-on-topdrawersoccer-preseason-best-xi-teams/ 3 more days.
The US and China were both eliminated today from U20. Don't know how soon we'll see Howell and Zhao, but it should be soon I hope.
Interesting to see Zhao on the preseason freshman XI list. Not the midfielder I would have expected if you told me an FSU player was on there. Excited to see what she can do!
Hope they bring some much needed offensive push as team on Sat got walloped 5-0. Did not look strong offensively at all and defense was easily broken through for 3 breakaway goals. Granted they were playing mens team, but our past teams have held close and at least got off a few good shots against this same mens team.
As far as the Xs and Os go, this team should be better offensively. We get McFarland back. Dorosy can bring much needed energy off the bench. Villalobos is back in the AMF Between Tillman, Carle, Robbins, Zhao, Lynch and Howell and Connolly we should be able to produce a stronger midfield, which was a weak point last year. The defense minus Madril, Koivisto and Miller is the big question mark IMO. We'll see. Mark has not had a bad defense in years. If indeed our midfield is improved, that alone improves, or at least takes some pressure off the defensive back line. A key element is how these girls blend together. If they play as a real TEAM, then I could see another College Cup run this year. Beating Stanford or UCLA would be a tall order, but not out of the question.
Not seeing Deyna. Don't know why. I assume Zhao and Howell are just getting back and are being held out until they can practice with the team.
The guy who covers women’s sports for tomahawknation poses his response from FSU soccer re: Deyna. “There is not an injury issue with her. We are slowly reincorporating those that have recently gone away for international duty.” Hmm
Kuikka scores on an assist from Berkley. I'm guessing that must have been a set play. Vandy still doesn't have a shot! Missing Deyna, Zhao and Howell is missing a lot of talent. Glad to hear there is NO injury issue. When I first read your blurb my eyes just saw INJURY.
Looks like a pretty dominant performance from the stats line (didn’t see the game). Promising start with Zhao, Howell, and Deyna out
Precisely, it does not add up. Also, in the little preview FSU posted yesterday Deyna was not participating.
Don't get me freaked out. With Deyna this team has the potential for College Cup participant. Without, I'm not quite sure, but certainly not as good.
Deyna still not out there. Team and Instagram photos show her practicing this week... so if injured hopefully nothing too serious. But very weird
Apparently we don't have any insiders here (willing to talk), but if you saw instagram photos indicating she was practicing, that is good news!
Crisis averted! I just saw on gametracker where Deyna entered the game about 25 minutes into the 2nd half. Haven't seen Clara Robbins though. Any insight?
Big road test Thursday in Wisconsin, how will the Noles do? Admittedly I know next to nothing about Wisconsin soccer.