Live from Frisco, Texas, it's the final of the NCAA Men's soccer championship, Maryland versus North Carolina. I'm not sure what it says that college soccer's marquee event follows bull riding on the Worldwide Leader, but such is the world we live in.
Maryland (22-3-0) found their way to the final by beating St. John's, 1-0, with a free-kick goal from Graham Zusi in Overtime. Carolina (15-7-1) earned their berth by knocking off the #1 seed, Wake Forest, in another 1-0 game.
So, what are the chances this one ends with only one goal? Or even goes to PK's?
Guess we'll find out.
One way or another, the ACC is repeating as Champs this year, after Wake won it last year.
PREGAME: We get to see the goals from Friday night's Semi's. It's Harkes and JPC on the mic. I'm sure Harkesy will give us plenty of ammo today. (and f**k Sheffield Wednesday)
1''" Maryland in white tops, red shorts, white socks. Carolina in their lame ass baby blues. Kick-off for Carolina goes almost straight out of touch.
I'm switching to Countdown Clock-mode. Stupid, sexy college soccer.
42": A sunny say in Texas, which might explain why the stadium is practically empty. That or b/c it's college soccer.
41": Maryland's stud GK is only a freshman. The chances he stays four years? Rafa Benitez says there is no chance.
38": The referee's shirt could make one of our kit reviews. Good god, I just got eye-raped. Honestly, possession is back and forth. And I'm in for 90 minutes? UGH.
36": Carolina has a crack at goal, but it's wide left.
35": Maryland plays with the ball in the box (huh-huh), and lofts a ball back-post, but it's claimed by the 'keeper.
34": Yellow card for Carolina for a handball in the midfield. This looks a lot like my recreational men's final two weeks ago.
30": The game is open, but not super tight. A good bit of hoofing it up the field. Worst. Liveblog. Ever.
27": A scrum in the Maryland box after a Carolina corner. But no goal. Dirk Kuyt approves.
25": Maryland are showing signs of culture in the Carolina box, but nothing deadly. The Carolina keeper is down and the clock stops. Really.
Carolina GK is up, but now MD's semi-final goal-scorer is getting a new tape job.
24": For the third time out of what will likely be 43 times, JP mentions that if Carolina wins, it will be the first time in soccer that a school has won championships the same year in the same sport.
23": Carolina's upfield passing is more the 'Hoof and Hope' type.
21": A MD corner (the 2nd consecutive) almost sneaks in backpost, but it's snuffed out for another corner. Maryland takes a crack from outside the box, but it's too crowded.
18": TIME-OUT!! MD look the stronger of the two teams, but they're not exactly outclassing UNC.
adidas would like to remind you that 'Impossible is Nothing'.
18": MARYLAND GOAL. But, it's offsides. Came from a nice one-two, then a thru-ball into the box. That's how you come out of a time-out!
15": The 'crowd' tries to get a chant going, but it lasts about 10 seconds. Carolina then makes a mess of a routine clearance, but Maryland can't capitalize as the GK fumbles and UNC eventually clears.
13": Harkes really hasn't said anything dumb. Think he saves it for the USMNT broadcasts?
12": MD's Zeus plays Hall through, but he can't quite make the stretch properly in the box. Carolina survives. I feel a Terp goal coming.
10": Maryland is certainly fond of playing the ball up field to heads... but they consistantly win them, so I suppose it works. Maryland shoots from 25 out, it flashes wide.
8": Harkes isn't a big fan of the sub rule. Way to take a stance, John.
8": Zeus takes a free kick from 35 yards out. GK can only fist it as that ball had some pace on it.
4": The Terps have had the lion's share of dangerous possession this half. Interestingly, UNC has fouled 8 times, MD only once.
Yes, this game SUCKS. And honestly, so does my liveblog. But....
HALFTIME: They're having on-field introductions with all sorts of recognizable names. They introduce a coach of the '50th Anniversary' team and somebody off-camera says "WHO?!"
45": AND WE'RE BACK!
And the clock countdowns from 45 AGAIN. Ugh, this is killing me.
43": Carolina dribbles the ball into the MD box but flatly refuses to shoot.
40": Maryland is wearing Under Armor uniforms, which isn't accidental. The guy who founded the company is a former Maryland football player (American version).
37": Maryland looks sloppier. Unfortunately, this game isn't getting any better. I'd be interested to know how much time the ball has spent in the air, at a level of 20 feet or above.
27": Sorry, had to fix the HTML. Shockingly, I missed NOTHING.
25": I think this game is going to PK's. Granted, there's 25 minutes left, plus OT, but.. That said, Carolina is giving MD problems right now.
24": And on cue, Zeus finishes for Maryland from inside the box. The ball comes in from the right, Hall has his first-time shot saved and Zeus puts the rebound in. 1-0 Maryland.
How will Carolina respond?
21": TIMEOUT!!
Apparently, I've been misspelling Zusi. Not like the God. Oh well.
20": For you kids at home, the definition of a pro is 'being responsible'. So says Papa Harkes. Carolina's Callahan dribbles into the box, but a kick-save keeps Maryland ahead. UNC is coming.
16": Back and forth we go, knocking the ball up into the air. Volleyball-esque.
12": Maryland isn't even pretending to be interested in possession. Each time they get the ball, they settle and knock it up the pitch.
11": Maryland CK McMath is down. And there's a scrum around a UNC player. Looks like he just got clipped.
McMath is up. Carolina's #20, Wiliams, got a yellow for his troubles.
7": Carolina is trying to add pressure and Maryland is coping.
So, if MD hangs on, will they be burning couches on Route 1 tonight? Methinks it's unlikely.
4": Carolina's #8 is jawing at the ref and actually just touched him in an aggressive manner. How Chelsea-esque of him.
FINAL: Maryland wins, giving it's seniors a 2nd championship. Soak it in, Terp fans, because it's going to be a long basketball season.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
College Cup Final Liveblog
Hot College Cup Live Blog Action!
It's the Terrapins of Maryland versus the Tarheels of North Carolina for the NCAA Men's Championship (Worst. Nature Fight. Ever.) and we're live-blogging it.
Can the Terps add a matching bookend to their 2005 championship?
Can the Tarheel men step out from the shadow of their lovely lady counterparts (albeit, only for a minute)?
Find out at 1pm as we shake off our hangovers, flip the boob tube over to ESPN2 and try to forget that Liverpool has yielded their top spot.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The College Cup Overfloweth
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.
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