Rutgers=Quality soccer

[Guest]

The margin of errors are so small and get smaller every round. You can have a good sound team defense but all it takes is having scorers who know how to rattle defenses and they make things happen. I say margin of error but I mean that no player is perfect in a match. Errors occur on every team. It’s those offensive players who know how to capitalize on those errors. A forward will not be penalized with Shots on goal missed but a defender does not have that same margin or error. Offense and a solid goalie are crucial in this tournament.

are you talking about the characteristics of a sporting event that is win or go home or just soccer? i dont place any more significance on a game just because it is in the NCAA tournament. the nature of the game is, you can play very well and lose. the margin for error is a function of who you play/matchups and it is false to imply that round by round the teams you play get "better". depends on the draw and the results. College soccer is set up in a way that people in back rooms tell you who you should think is elite and more often than not, its based on stats earned vs all the teams they play. a great player (imo) is one who impact the games vs the very best opponents. given the best very rarely play the best often enough, it becomes difficult to do. is a player great because they can beat up on much weaker opposition?

[Guest]

are you talking about the characteristics of a sporting event that is win or go home or just soccer? i dont place any more significance on a game just because it is in the NCAA tournament. the nature of the game is, you can play very well and lose. the margin for error is a function of who you play/matchups and it is false to imply that round by round the teams you play get "better". depends on the draw and the results. College soccer is set up in a way that people in back rooms tell you who you should think is elite and more often than not, its based on stats earned vs all the teams they play. a great player (imo) is one who impact the games vs the very best opponents. given the best very rarely play the best often enough, it becomes difficult to do. is a player great because they can beat up on much weaker opposition?

Dag on I hate to say it but I agree with this post lol lol wow you had me in my office saying "AMEN" out loud as you were preaching a sermon lol. I'm annoyed that you scare-de-cats are afraid to post your name or have this conversation live on the show. I really learn a lot about this game from fellas/ladies as yourself and those of Soccer Nut. I mean this dialogue is so meaningful today and not eye opening but the dialogue is real and filled with opinion but when you look at the opinion of yours it's totally in line to what the facts show. Kudos to you on this.

Eric Harris

[Guest]

Very true that special moments are few and far between. IMO there needs to be a balance from a team perspective for the moments you need that pizazz/individuality you have some players that can provide it but the main effort is 99% of the rest of the time is just doing the right thing/working hard. A team with too many "special" players and not enough worker bees/Paul O'Neills tend to not be successful. I think those Yankees teams from the 90's are good examples of the blend that is needed. Had a few super stars and the balance was very good/complimentary structure.

Simply picking the "best" individuals does not equate to ending up with the best team. I know I have watched some matches that had me wondering what on earth someone else saw in a player and how it was possible they made a team let alone playing so much.

That's a great point when you put the Yankee analogy to it. I don't think the system will ever change because its too far gone and too far profitable for those at the lead to make these drastic changes in my opinion.

Eric Harris

[Guest]

Stop loving on Mike. 1 final four in how many years? Go back through the years of elite player classes and the fails. The subpar performances run deep. If you want to hang your hat on last year and think a few key positional players are going to make them NC, FSU, etc you are Nuts.

Agree, how many years Mike has been the head coach for RU? Just one final 4, maybe it’s just a fluke season for RU.

[Guest]

Agree, how many years Mike has been the head coach for RU? Just one final 4, maybe it’s just a fluke season for RU.

Two final 4's under this head coach; which is pretty good. Learn your soccer history before attacking. I am not a fan of his but also want justified arguments.

[Guest]

Two final 4's under this head coach; which is pretty good. Learn your soccer history before attacking. I am not a fan of his but also want justified arguments.

How does this compare to other elite clubs in last 9 years since he's been coach.

This will tell you where he stands

[Guest]

How does this compare to other elite clubs in last 9 years since he's been coach.

This will tell you where he stands

meant to say universities

[Guest]

That's a great point when you put the Yankee analogy to it. I don't think the system will ever change because its too far gone and too far profitable for those at the lead to make these drastic changes in my opinion.

Eric Harris

Agreed, it will continue on and is out of hand at this point. Will admit not the same game today but back in the 80's, NJ produced several NJ USMNT players who just had CYO/Rec/local travel ball backgrounds so it can be done on the cheap so to speak. Nothing is perfect but I do wish there was a little less "business" in the youth sports world of today.

It also isn't easy by any stretch for a country the size of the US (leave the discussion on specific players aside) to formulate a squad and do enough training in a team atmosphere to continue to be dominant on the women's side of things. One thing to be a role player for a team you train and play with consistently than it is to show up every couple months and try and figure out your role too-

[Guest]

I enjoy reading EH honesty and his thoughts but I disagree with this statement once you get to the NCAA tournament. The margin of error in any given game gets smaller and smaller as you move forward in the tournament. Teams play tight and all it takes are mistakes that give teams opportunities to score. Usually, you will only have limited opportunities to score. Therefore, having a goalie with experience and a proven #9 or wingers who can finish are the most important players as teams moves forward. Defenses are important but having proven scorers, finishers and offensive players who cause havoc bring home championships.

A goalie with experience does not equate to good just experienced. A goalie that leaks goals in conf will leak in ncaa's. And a few players that can score no matter where on the field including defense are key. And if it comes down to it, you gotta make your pk's.

[Guest]

Two final 4's under this head coach; which is pretty good. Learn your soccer history before attacking. I am not a fan of his but also want justified arguments.

What year was the other?

[Guest]

Very true that special moments are few and far between. IMO there needs to be a balance from a team perspective for the moments you need that pizazz/individuality you have some players that can provide it but the main effort is 99% of the rest of the time is just doing the right thing/working hard. A team with too many "special" players and not enough worker bees/Paul O'Neills tend to not be successful. I think those Yankees teams from the 90's are good examples of the blend that is needed. Had a few super stars and the balance was very good/complimentary structure.

Simply picking the "best" individuals does not equate to ending up with the best team. I know I have watched some matches that had me wondering what on earth someone else saw in a player and how it was possible they made a team let alone playing so much.

This is spot on. There have been studies done on this subject for soccer, basketball and baseball. For soccer and basketball it was found that too many superstars can dilute the team and actually cause more losses than wins. In baseball it was the opposite as it’s a much more individual sport.
It makes sense - the goal of a team sport is to find the right balance and chemistry. The coaches that can do that have the most successful teams.

[Guest]

What year was the other?

Either 2015 or 2016. Check their schedules for those years. Although last year's RU wsoc story on their website when they made final 4 may reference it as well.

[Guest]

Either 2015 or 2016. Check their schedules for those years. Although last year's RU wsoc story on their website when they made final 4 may reference it as well.

https://scarletknights.com/news/2015...Cup_Semis.aspx

2015 RU made 1st college cup appearance losing 2-0 in final 4 to rival and the national champ that yr PSU.
Wow. Didn't know that.

[Guest]

Two final 4's under this head coach; which is pretty good. Learn your soccer history before attacking. I am not a fan of his but also want justified arguments.

That’s freaking amazing. What other NJ sports program can say that??? Yup none. Crickets. RU WSOC stands alone. No wonder they continue to be a magnet for top players in NJ and surrounding areas.

[Guest]

That’s freaking amazing. What other NJ sports program can say that??? Yup none. Crickets. RU WSOC stands alone. No wonder they continue to be a magnet for top players in NJ and surrounding areas.

You are kidding right? On the womens side Princeton Lacrosse and Field Hockey.