The 2 best teams YESTERDAY are going to the Final (and I think that could be debated by a Georgetown fan). Stanford was off their game yesterday much like FSU in a loss to Miami (yes I know they dominated that game but an L is an L). I think it’s safe to say that both teams are very deserving and got their A games at the right time. I also think that any of 6-8 teams could have put it together and been there. Congrats to both of these fantastic programs and entertain us tomorrow!! Really looking forward to it
Overall, judging the latest performances from both teams, I feel like FSU has been playing more creatively in the final third so I would give the edge towards them over North Carolina. At the same time, North Carolina has the quickness and high pressure to mess up the strong defense of the best teams and draw a bunch of free kicks and corners. I could see the game going all the way to PKs like UCLA if both teams are hot. It basically whoever shows up with their A game tomorrow. Set pieces have been well practiced by North Carolina so if they succeed on those which is highly likely, they could get it.
Not one comment here on the final? Weird? Allow me: I haven't seen a lot of the second half yet but UNC was good in the first half--clearly the better team--but couldn't generate any real quality chances out of their good run of play, partly (if not mostly) because Fla. State's back line is so good and the strength of that team and partly because of some missed opportunities by the Tar Heel forwards--a couple of arguably bad offsides and the one lofted ball into the box that the Heel player (I forget who) tried to one-time into net rather than control the ball, which would have put her in on goal, I think. There was also the Dorwart header. But then this is why FSU is so good: They are very hard to outplay, and even if you do, they're still extremely hard to score on. The Heels worked HARD today. It was such a soccer game--all that effort, back and forth--and one moment of excellence by an FSU player and one momentary lapse by a UNC defender and the game is over. I didn't give UNC much chance of equalizing after the Nole goal. Good match between two excellent teams.
Admittedly, I'm biased as a Nole fan. I would assess the match and say UNC brought great intensity and pressure (what's new right?) especially in the first half. It's hard to look pretty playing UNC. Metaphorically speaking, they take you to the ground and pound you. FSU does have a tremendous back line. FSU is also just a little more precise in the final third. IMO, UNC's lack of precision in the final third is their biggest short coming. Give UNC that elite forward ala Macario and voila' NC. Then again, as good as Dorosy is on runs or one touches. She is not a back to the goal create your own shot kind of player. She's great at one touches and redirections and deep runs. Give FSU a Hocking or Macario and Mark changes their attacking style somewhat. FSU and UNC each with that type of forward would have been unreal!
Speaking of UNC, what happened to their Baby (or Light) Blue? Their uniforms seemed in this tourney seemed to be dark blue!
I've puzzled about this color change too. I did talk to another fan about it about three weeks ago and he claimed that about 75 years ago that UNC used the dark blue and adopted the "Carolina Blue" after WWII. I have no information to corroborate this statement, but it's an interesting theory. I suspect most all present day fans would keep the light Carolina Blue!
Something to the extent of, "Mark how often do you work on your backs shooting in training" to which he replied "all the time, everyday" while taking off his headset
I remember him replying to Julie. She made a comment about how about his defensive players were the scorers To which he replied something along the lines of “that’s great coaching. I coach them up to save their best shots for the biggest Moments.” Now to be fair, he was smiling and obviously saying that tongue-in-cheek. I personally didn’t object to her question or his answer. I like that he has a sense of humor.
Thanks to WWC, I will quote accurately the question and answer between Julie Foudy and Mark Krikorian. "You must be super pleased with the way they (FSU) kept the ball in the first half Mark. And also how about 2 defenders in their first goals, and good timing for you?" Mark "Yeah it's good coaching. Julie, that's really good coaching. We work on that all the time. Save the goals for when they matter. Thank you guys." Now he was smiling and obviously tongue in cheek. I don't know Mark, so I don't know if JF irritates him, or if that is simply his sense of humor. WWC I must kindly disagree with an earlier point in this thread, or maybe it was in the UNC thread. He basically criticized Anson for being owned by Mark. On this point, I have to agree with Anson. in the ACCCG FSU was clearly the better team IMO. In this game, I saw 2 evenly matched teams. UNC severely disrupted FSU's rhythm with the ball. FSU's defense thwarted all but a couple of good looks UNC had. That header in front of goal in the first half that sliced to the left of goal, was a great look by UNC on a corner. Neither team had many great chances. Just a couple for each team. FSU was just more precise on one run! My point is that Anson's team obliterated the gap that existed a month ago. That IMO is not being owned by FSU or Mark. Now to be fair, FSU has lost its starting GK and a wide midfield starter since then and UNC regained Emily Fox (a total stud). Those are the hands we were dealt.
I was rooting for a Stanford as it is my alma mater. I remember those great years in college. Long nights studying, partying and meeting new people, making friends. Nowadays, kids are using stuff like this https://writingpeak.co.uk/assignment-writing-service , it is not that bad, but we didn't have this kind of things. Also, I met my future wife at college. Now we're happily married.
^ Anyone in the mood for some spam? Quite frankly, sir, if you're the one doing the writing and editing, kids would be well-advised not to use your service. That being said, I'm happy for you and your wife. I doubt that you met her at Stanford, though.