UMd v SLU [R]

Re: soccertom

... or you guys don't get called enough

 

[sarcasm] naturally... because i'm sure he was the only one causing a problem [/sarcasm]

 

Better team won. Hopefully when the teams get to Columbus, the only shots will be soccer shots and not sniper shots.

 

Good lord it was cold out there.

Ibisevic is far and away the biggest disgrace to soccer I have ever seen in my life, and realize I support a team that had Etch and Hristo on it this last season. First of all, the kid never passes the ball. Maybe had a total of 5 passes the entire game. Instead all he does is run at goal, even if there are 4 players surrounding him. His red card, and it was a straight red, I was right in front of the play and the ref never pulled the yellow, was for using his giant cast to club Ian Rodway in the face. Absolutely disgraceful. He then proceeded to keep going after Maryland players for a few minutes, including firing the ball the Maryland players checking on Rodway. It took 3 of his teammates to finally pull him away and get to leave the field, and it took force from them to do that even. If that guy doesn't get at least a 5 game suspension, I will be shocked. He also had the nerve the entire game to complain about not getting calls when he was dispossessed.

The foul total was completely legit as well. St Louis was continually a step late on their tackles all game. The penalty was shaky though, and justice was served when Herrara botched it.

It seemed like it wasn't going to be Maryland's day early on, when St Louis finished their first two decent chances. The wind played a large role in the game, as it was blowing at the south goal the entire game. You could see the ball just hang for Maryland in the first half and St Louis in the second half. Lots of players were losing their footing as well.

All in all Maryland deserved to win this game. They dominated the first half despite being down most of it, and were never in danger in the second. I'll be back later to add some more, but I'm off to check out the other quarterfinal.

One more thing, Scott Buete went off in a lot of pain, and had to be carried off. Hopefully he'll be able to recover before Friday.

 

I'll post more once I thaw out. (I would have liked to have stayed for the second game but was just too damn cold.)

The short version is that Maryland showed a LOT of heart and composure to come back and win this game and that SLU didn't do themselves proud by acting like hacks and punks once they went down two.

I have no idea how serious Buete is hurt but here's hoping he's good to go Friday. He's arguably Maryland's best player.

When SLU went up two, I never thought Maryland had the firepower to come back but I was obviously wrong. Goodson scoring so soon after SLU's second was huge and gave Maryland life and hope and they totally played off that. Easily the biggest goal for the Terps so far this year.

Goodson also did well against Vedad, I thought. Vedad didn't show nearly as much in this game as he has the rest of the year and his immaturity showed as he got frustarted. I still think he should go pro ASAP but he's got to grow up a bit to make it at a higher level.

SLU has a bright future but you have to worry about their D. It wasn't very good and that was with three senior starters. What's it gonna be like next year with inexperiened players?

I'm gonna go try and thaw out some more.

 

Me too.

I'll post more later, but SLU's first goal was strictly quality. The player who scored was dribbling in the box, got fouled by a tough shirt tug that went uncalled and subsequently tripped on the ball, flicking it up into the air. The ball is in the air about thigh-high behind the player and he back heel full volleyed it into the net for the goal.

Buete went off in pain and there was a sickening pop when he got hurt. I thought it was an ACL potentially because there appeared to be no contact, but it later seemed to be the ankle.

Sandon, I thought the same as you with MD down 2, but I guess we both ate our words about that one.

The fight at theend was classless, but speaking from strictly a fans point of view, probably the best part about the game. After #9 was shown red and both teams were shoving each other (including the goalies who looked happy to be able to move their legs on a 50 yard sprint) he went on to get the ball and slam it back into the crowd, persumably towards the ref.

You have to question MD's firepower in the semifinal however with Mediate out, and the status of Thompson and Buete completely in question.

 

I asked Sasho about Buete's injury during the second game, and he said that it would be a few days before they knew for sure whether he'd be able to go or not, but made sure to add that "Scott is a tough kid."

 

Sounds like Vedad was up to his usual self when things do not go his way. Watched him to many times in the Busch-Scott Gallagher games show the same frustration, just ask Mo Benne. Needs to use this energy to find ways to get open. what a disgrace to the St. Louis University soccer tradition. He has a long way to go before he can even think about going pro.

 

They count as many as they can, especially for the home team. Two on every goal seems about the norm. It's a big joke. After a while, you get used to it.

Only four players? Vedad usually draws more attention than that.

That sounds like SLU's season. One player (Vedad) can be stopped, even if it takes 5 or 6 players to do it. If the best attacking players besides that are defenders (e.g. Gannon), then a team has problems. Did Wickart really score a goal against Maryland? So much for Maryland being a great defense. But, again, it's probably more an indication the futility of the SLU attack than anything else.

Vedad has a lot to learn about keeping his composure.

 

After seeing Maryland dominate games with possession over the last month only to see them squeak out one goal wins, this was an impressive display--their hard work and skill paid off. The Goodson goal was huge as was the Thompson goal to even things up at the half.

MD was so dangerous on every corner, especially in the second half. And the longer the game went on, the more confident they got and the more suspect the St Louis back line got.

Even up 2 goals, they kept coming--refreshing to see after watching DC United the last few years.

I thought Jason Garey had a great game. Held the ball well with back to the goal, great turns, and ran his butt off the entire game. Got rewarded with the 4th goal. Lots of time, but well taken.

It wasn't that cold in the sun, but when we moved to behind the goal maryland was attacking in the second half, in the shade, and face to the wind--whoa.

This team has got me thinking about the road trip to Columbus. Buete was carried off with arms around the shoulders of two other and no weight placed on his legs, which makes me worry. He'sso important to this team, though you gotta be impressed with the way individual skills throughout the lineup and with the way they play together. They've outclassed every team they faced so far in the tournament.

 

St Louis Pukes

You guys got your butts handed to u today Maryland style. We own the refs. Hence the phantom PK, and the astronomical difference in fouls. Has your team ever out fouled another team by such a margin? Welcome to the ACC and Sasho's refs. Your #9 is nothing but a selfish punk that will never do anything if he dosen't learn to look up, pass and control his emotions. I hope your youngsters do not go P-40, as they are not ready and you deserve a chance to play through the NCAA tourney with home field advantage. Your big problem will be reconstituting a defense and teaching an oblivious frontrunner how to play the game. I disagree that 9 is even close to going pro. He dosen't have the head and maybe never will. His style plays at the Ayso,club lower levels, and youth national levels, but not against elite college teams or the pros.

 

A fine performance by the Terps, especially in such bitter conditions. They concede two goals completely against the run of play but maintain their composure and work steadily, then spectactularly, to retake control of the game. Nice work and energy from Marcantonia as a substitute. Fine work all around from Garey, Thompson, and the back line. Maryland were clearly the better team and a deserving winner.

Man was it cold out there.

perc

 

Recaps of the game

Maryland: http://umterps.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/120703aaa.html , St. Louis: http://slubillikens.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/120703aaa.html , NCAA Sports.com: http://www.ncaasports.com/soccer/mens/results/2989

 

One question where was vedad in the maryland match. LISTEN TO IT ON THE RADIO DID NOT HEAR HIS NAME MUCH.