Over-Rated. This UAB team is average at best. UC Irvine is an above average west coast team and they out shot UAB like 12 to 3. Then the USD game was a joke. UAB had no shots at half time was run off the field in the first half. It was an own goal that gave UAB its goal. I think the shots were 21 to 2. USD was stopped only by a very good goalie on UAB. UAB could'nt deal with the speed of USD. UAB plays "junk" soccer. Kick the ball long and hope someone runs on to it....very little soccer.
I've only seen UAB against an amateur team this year so I can't really comment too much. I wouldn't describe them as an out and out "long ball team" but they do have some speed up front so playing directly suits their forwards attributes. UAB's GK is really good. As far as "junk" soccer goes, you play they style that fits your players. Norway & Ireland have been very successful in the past few years playing that brand of soccer.
Played Hard Yes, Stoneybrook played very hard even when the score was 5-0. They tried to play soccer and were just out classed and were more fun to watch than UAB. In the UAB game there were 18 fouls on UAB. That's why I called it junk soccer.....you usually foul when you don't have talent. Stoneybrook was a clean playing team, they deserved better than the score. They also lost to Irvine 3-0.
So you would advocate not fouling and getting beat on aggregate 8-0. Fouls are part of the game. You can use them tactically to your advantage. I'll take fouling with a chance to win for $500 Alex.
I must admit that I'm more than a little worried about UAB this year. Having had some great years recently (a trip to the final 8), this year seems like it could be trouble. They've lost to Auburn-Montgomery in preseason and did jack all out in California. If they don't beat BSC this weekend, we can look forward to a long season. Amazing how sometimes a team isn't as good as the sum of its parts. They've got some great players.
Don't get your panties all in a bunch just yet. It is WAY to early to push the worry button. You have a fine team and coach and you will be allright. Of course SLU will whip your shorts off but you still should be fine!