While most of us 'round these here parts consider ourselves to be rather learned, the irony is that collegiate soccer tends to get ignored for the most part (honestly, for decent reason). But, that all changes right now (but reverts back very quickly) as the NCAA's Men's College Cup semifinals kick off tonight.
Deep in the heart of Texas (Dallas... or technically, Frisco), North Carolina (the men, shockingly) will be locking horns with Wake Forest whilst my beloved Maryland Terrapins look to dispatch St. Johns directly afterwards.
That's right, kids; It's practically an all-ACC affair.
Want to watch? Well, you're in luck. Partially.
UNC-Wake kicks off live at 5:30pm on ESPN2. Maryland-St. John's is slated for 8pm on ESPNU. But, you're probably like 99% of the country and either don't get or know where to find ESPNU. Lucky you, you can pick yourself off the floor and watch the tape delay Saturday morning at 11am on ESPN2 (Welcome to the WWL's post-college football void).
Also, if you're lucky enough to have an internet service provider that has ESPN360 (which is actually quite useful), you can probably watch it there (also a fine place to watch Champions League replays on demand).
The Final is on Sunday. But, don't expect a post about that unless Maryland wins it all.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The College Cup Overfloweth
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36 comments:
I just poured a scotch and I'm watching it. BIG FRIDAY NIGHT!
Geebus. Not sure if anyone caught Harksey's opening remarks, but he said something like, "[Wake Forest's coach] has done a lot to increase the tradition in WF's tradition."
This is gonna be great.
UNC scored. I wasn't there. The gameclock counts down from 45, so I'm confused.
/I was told there wouldn't be math, etc etc
Entertaining game. Good back n' forth, opportunities created, opportunities bungled, lack of any meaningful possession. It's West Brom against Sunderland.
UNC working the flanks, curling in crosses. Wake will give up another soon.
FK in a good position for Wake. Right outside the 18, probably 25 yards out. It'll be bungled.
UNC keeper screams, "left! left! left!" at his wall. Everyone hears him, except the wall. Grand comedy.
Ugh. TV timeout. I had forgotten about these.
Wake just called a timeout. Dat's not sackah!
No, really, it isn't soccer. A timeout? What's next? Shot clock? Two-minute warning?
Forest's backline is shakey; can't clear the ball and when they do, they clear right back to UNC. I believe that's called an "Eboue."
Spell of possession for Forest. Nothing comes of it.
Uhh, 6:30 till halftime. I think.
Can't come soon enough. These games are a lot better when I'm catching up on the DVR.
Or in person. I've always had a lot of fun with college soccer crowds.
Forest fighting for the half. UNC's Schreiber is killing them down the line.
Worst part about college soccer about to come. That's the 10 second countdown to the horn.
I was at the NAIA women's tourney last week and the crowd was in every game - chants, singing the alma mater, etc. Pretty cool.
10 ... 9 ... 8 ...
Just went back and watched the goal. Keeper should have had it.
The countdown was cool when I was 12 and watching my hometown school win the college cup, but now it just irks me. Of course, in 1987 there wasn't much other soccer to gauge it against.
Come on Wake. For some reason, I hate the Heels more.
I enjoyed the parties at Wake more than UNC. Surprisingly, the girls at Wake were more . . . normal . . than UNC.
My choice is purely a sporting thing, though I think you may have something there with the ladies of the schools.
A few observations:
On the goal, Wake's keeper muffed it.
And it's Shriver, not Schrieber. Whatevs.
Fuck John Harkes. His advice for Wake: "They need to pick it up in the 2nd half." Really, John? Really?
I wonder if Wake is going to adjust their 4-1-2-1-2. From what I see, they may want to move their holding mid up and play a more traditional 4-4-2. Their midfield possession has been lacking.
Wake applying pressure. FK outside the 18. Nice little control and run by Williams. The kick is . . .
directed at UNC, bounces off a defender harmlessly, Wake maintains possession
"Rigorous examination" for UNC, but they pass for the time being.
Wake has picked the pace up this half. Good build-up, sharp passing around the 18, nice in-swingers as crosses. UNC has played the counter well, though, and could poach a second.
UNC is playing a 6-1-2. Scramble in front of UNC's end, but the ball is cleared. A number of chances for Wake and they can't finish.
UNC counters with the longball, but poor control inside the box allows Wake to clear.
Wake threatens, but that's all. Action has calmed down.
Good buildup from Wake, switching flanks with sharp passing and dummies, but then the shot is shanked terribly.
Wake is dominating play this half. UNC have barely pushed past midfield. Several good saves by UNC's keeper maintains the Heels' advantage.
Another mad scramble. Another failed attempt at goal from Wake.
Is this thing on? I know you're out there, I can hear you leaving ...
Hagerty - UNC keeper - has been both good and lucky today. Wake has had more opportunities than Arsenal against Wigan last week and nothing has gone in.
With less than a minute, Wake has an excellent header but Hagerty saves it yet again.
Players getting chippy but not yet Rooney-chippy.
Free kick for Wake with 15 seconds . . .
There was a handball by UNC in the box with barely ten seconds left, but ref sees fit not to call it.
would it have been that difficult for ESPN to show a replay of that handball? it wasn't like it was an important call or anything.
@ TFA: it's college soccer on a Friday night. I bet ESPN didn't even realize they were showing the game until JP was on air.
It was a enjoyable game, even with the lack of goals, and UNC doing their best catenaccio impression
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