O Article About Bracket; Interesting Quote from Garrett

Check it out:

The Pilots know little about the Roadrunners and probably won't learn much before Friday

"We're at a little bit of a disadvantage from not having much video from them. We've got two nationally televised games and online availability," Portland coach Garrett Smith said. "But if we can't go out and win a first-round game at home, we're not gonna win a national championship anyway."

http://www.oregonlive.com/pilots/index.ssf/2010/11/pilots_women_earn_top-seed_fac_1.html

Remember my little diatribe last week about how much the UP athletic department does to support women's soccer and provide tons of access for fans? Well, hardly any other schools do that, including several of the teams that earned seeds and made the tournament and especially a team from the Southland conference that doesn't have a history of soccer success.

So, when people wonder why games aren't archived online for more than a day or two, here's a big reason.

Frankly, I'm not sure how UTSA would be able to put up with listening to the audio commentary from our games . . . Gotta make it tough to scout us.

Went to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament Selection Party. It was amazing to watch the selection together and get that #1seed. That is an interesting quote but understandable since the St Mary’s tie is not what was wanted entering the playoffs. But, kudos to the younger players for playing their hearts out all season. It’s been a long season for them and they have expended a lot of energy. It’s the perfect time for the juniors and seniors to step up big and be the ones to carry the team to a National Championship. They know what it takes. The return of Sophie and Kendra to the line-up couldn’t come at a better time. Sophie will be a monster from her high of playing for her Canadian team and Kendra will have the freshness and strength to make things happen. "But if we can’t go out and win a first-round game at home, we’re not gonna win a national championship anyway." With the veteran players stepping up big and Sophie and Kendra aces up our sleeve we will win it all. I’m pumped.

I'd be surprised if Sophie played much this weekend.

A_Fan wrote:I'd be surprised if Sophie played much this weekend.

I'll be shocked if she plays on Friday. On Sunday, I expect to see her.

Yes, we've seen national team players rest rather than get back onto the field for the first game after returning from international competition. Just having Sophie at Merlo on Friday will be a high for Pilot Nation. Time to crank up the excitement.

Stonehouse wrote:So, when people wonder why games aren't archived online for more than a day or two, here's a big reason.

I think it became petty clear, very early in the season, that upcoming opponents were scouting the Pilots and setting up their defenses accordingly. It's one thing if everyone has game film available for the other team, but not good if it's one-sided. I figured that was why the "on demand" videos weren't up that long, and the response of taking the videos down pretty quickly seemed like the right response to me.

I guess it's part of the price of success.

Your mission next season (should you decide to accept it): Scout all Pilots opponents with videocameras in hand, deliver secret files to coaching staff.

Discuss: How valuable is video scouting in the free-flowing game of soccer where the coach does not dictate set play after set play, where players innovate, and where subs are rare?

purple haze wrote:Your mission next season (should you decide to accept it): Scout all Pilots opponents with videocameras in hand, deliver secret files to coaching staff.

Discuss: How valuable is video scouting in the free-flowing game of soccer where the coach does not dictate set play after set play, where players innovate, and where subs are rare?

It can tell you about the team's formation, who likes to play combinations with each other, where the team's top scorers like to make their runs from, what they like to do at set pieces, etc.