Heels beat George Mason 2-0 on a pair of second half goals from Ryan Kneipper. In the first half, GMU probably had the better of the play, but Ford Williams made a big save in the half to turn back GMU's best attempt. Both teams had trouble possessing the ball, but UNC found a quasi-rhythm in the second half and strung a few passes together to lead to Kneipper's first goal. A cross into the box and the forward calmly chested it down and poked it home. One thing that was interesting in this game, UNC used NO subs. Only 11 players saw the field for Carolina, which is something I've never seen before in Chapel Hill. A big win for UNC, a team on the NCAA bubble. To beat Wake Saturday night, Carolina will have to play its best game of the year. Since Wake has a deep bench, I wonder if that will be a factor. Elmar has been using fewer and fewer subs as the season progressed, and tonight, in a non-conference game, he didn't go to the bench once.
Carolina seemed lethargic and out of sync during the first half, but put it together in the last 35 minutes or so - by the end of the game, GMU were having a hard time getting the ball out of their own half. GMU mostly attacked with long balls, and had a few good chances. Ford Williams made a couple nice saves, also was very strong gathering in crosses and corner kicks. Crawford now has 12 assists, best in the ACC. I thought Kneipper looked offside on the second goal. Actually, the use of few subs in competitive games has been pretty constant all year - as I remember, the only home games in which there were more than a few subs were the early game against Long Island and the blowout against Navy. I think this lack of depth might be one of the reasons for Carolina's struggles compared to last season, when the defense and keeper would play the full 90 but offensive players subbed in and out regularly. Especially against Davidson, UNC seemed pretty worn down at end of the game. Not tonight, though.
Re: Re: UNC vs. GMU [R] Matt Crawford is the most under-rated player in the ACC, if not all of college soccer. Last year I said I thought Crawford should have been an All-ACC player and a lot of people on these boards, including some Carolina fans, jumped all over me and told me I was crazy.Then he went out and scored a goal in the national semi-final and set up the game-winner in the final. Now, he leads the league in assists. Folks, this kid can play. And, because he's a natural lefty with good pace and a very good passer, he's gonna get a long look in MLS. There isn't a team in the league who can't use another good left-footed passer and Crawford is likely gonna stick on some team next year.
I have to agree with Sandon...Crawford is an absolute baller. People have said on these boards that he's just a tireless worker who won't make it on the next level. But the kid has skills and can play some incredible crosses into the box. I don't even think he's a natural left footer....if you watch him take his free kicks they're always right footed. But that's even more impressive, that Crawford's left is good enough to trick Sandon into thinking he's a natural lefty. My advice to those who get a chance to see UNC play...ignore Carolina's style of play for a while and watch Crawford when he receives the ball off of throw ins and balls in the middle to his feet. He rarely mistraps and has some incredible subtle touches. If you remember the first goal in the NCAA final last year, he recevied a throw in and straight schooled the Indiana guy before crossing for the Kniepper header. Crawford deserves All-ACC consideration.
Crawford is a good player, and he's most effective when he's making runs down the flank. Most of his assists come from balls he sends into the box from the wing. He's very effective and beating people with his speed on the outside. However, this year he's playing centrally and even though he has some good stats, he's much more effective as an outside player. In fact, in the UNC games I've seen this year, Crawford will often move out of the middle to receive the ball near the touch line to get into some open space so that he can maneuver down the sideline and get a cross into the box. The Heels are missing a true attacking mid this season. Crawford is also a very well conditioned athlete. The guy is physically ready for the next level, no question. He also plays a very smart game, and you very rarely see him making mental errors.
Re: Re: Re: UNC vs. GMU [R] Does this mean that a player like Chase Hilgenbrek from Clemson will recieve a long look from MLS because he's left footed?
Re: Re: Re: Re: UNC vs. GMU [R] Yes. Chase keeps improving every year and his left foot and ACC pedigree will get him drafted in like the 3rd-4th round (at worst) in 2004. Will he make it? Who knows, but he'll get a look.