Why so hostile? I was just curious. This forum has become chippy. It used to be more relaxed and positive.
Cold someone post some comments on the formation and strategy in the last 2 games? I saw the State game on tv and read about the Duke game and heard Anson's comments (Duke game was blacked out in my area). If I'm understanding what I saw Friday and what I heard after Sunday, UNC/Anson may be going through a large shift in strategy.
I was awkwardly stating that the pressure to win it all is perhaps off both FSU and UNC, and that's liberating perhaps for the big dance to come.
Hahaha, that's what I thought. I tend to agree with you, Stanford looks to be far and away the favorite. I will say I think UNC should also be a favorite, as I think they are one of the few teams who could beat Stanford.
The Adjusted RPI, Adjusted Non-Conference RPI, and Massey all have Stanford winning, if everything goes according to their ratings. On the other hand, my brilliant 5 Iteration Adjusted RPI has North Carolina winning.
Maybe I missed it, but I have not seen many comments here noting how UNC has had a very good year despite having no true home games. I don't know how important the Fetzer home field advantage was, but with Wake Med having more of a neutral site feel, it seems remarkable that UNC has had this run without that extra advantage.
Don't think it makes much difference. It's still an away game for everyone else with UNC's fans there (and some right behind the net). Visiting teams should have taken up a collection to buy a scoreboard.
I don't think unc has had a particularly good fetzer record in the past 5 years. I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if their away record was the same or better. I know I have walked the track to the back entrance at the end of more than a few games not feeling great. For some reason, two different losses to South Carolina at fetzer stung a lot. Nice to beat them on THEIR home field last season, though I respect a lot what USC has accomplished
Stanford was a big favorite in 2009 and 2012 also. I can't seem to recall who beat them, but I don't think they won those years.
UNC has lost to Stanford exactly once- in double OT on a somewhat fluke of a goal. Still, they have great teams. I just get sick of hearing Julie Foudy talking about her alma mater all the time on US WNT games. No other commentator does that that I can recall. UNC commentators seem to go out of their way to be humble and not talk too much about the TWENTY ONE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Tell it, UNC Champs 2012! I got to see the UNC double OT semi-final win over Stanford in 2012 in San Diego in the rain and it was intense! Stanford's always terrific these days. Hey, I like Julie Foudy a lot. I would instead actually encourage all the pro commentators (and Foudy's one of the few who has something worth saying) to mention colleges routinely for all the pro players in order to increase public recognition, which all women's soccer needs. The NWSL's Championship match in Orlando this fall was sadly attended--Orlando of course didn't make the finals-- and attendance was also down for the league this year. Anyone watching the talented Heels this year--and especially their ACC tourney victory-- might become a fan of college soccer. It's wonderful how many matches are streamed on ESPN now. More and better marketing! Lose UNC's crummy athlete website! Taaarrrrr!
I randomly became insanely busy this week. I'm still hoping I can get them done & organized tonight to post tomorrow morning before the game.
That semi was the championship that year. What a game! First time it had rained in San Diego since the Spring. A cow pasture of a field.
4-1 over the Arkansas Most goals allowed all year by Arkansas. (penn st, scored 4 also, beat them 4-2) Arkansas' worst loss of the year.
Well, not much to say about the win against High Point other than the obvious. The Heels' talent outmatched the Panthers(?), who bunkered and recorded no shots. UNC's defense was stellar as usual. Julia Ashley almost made a mistake when a pass got over her head, but tracked it down, dispossessed her opponent, and set up an offensive run--a rock on defense and offense. It's great to see Zoe and Lotte on the pitch again. And being able to bring a player off the bench like Maddy, who is instant offense, must be incredibly disheartening to opponents. I love how hard this super talented, deep team plays. (But what about Jesse?)