MSoc (3-1) v. Longwood (2-1) 6:00 PM, TedMac Field

[asu66]

Is tonight's soccer match a trap that Longwood will try to spring on the Apps? Longwood was 4-14-1 overall last season and 3-6-0 in the Big South. That was good for a miserable RPI of 190 of 205 D-I teams. As weak as the Apps were last season, even they managed to beat Longwood--in a squeaker match on the road.

The Apps were only marginally better than Longwood; sporting a 7-8-3 overall record and a vanilla 3-3-2 in Sun Belt play. That was good for a weak RPI of 178. Well less than stellar. Along the way, the Apps were destroyed 4-0 at home by a stout Navy team.

Fastforward to today. The Apps struggled to beat two very mediocre teams over the weekend--Belmont and Lipscomb. While that was unfolding, Longwood absorbed a 3-1 road pounding by UNC-G before beating Navy 2-1 in Farmville. That was the same Navy team that beat Ohio State 3-0 and lost a 1-0 heart-breaker to #4 Maryland Monday night..

So, what does it all mean?

* Longwood is clearly an improved team. The Lancers have taken the wraps off of RFrosh Willy Miezan and he's quickly put the team on his back. The Lancers have scored seven goals all season and Miezan is credited with five of the seven. He needs to be a "marked man" tonight.

* I believe ASU is better this season, also. Offense is still questionable, but this team has some weapons and some good options. Midfield play has improved and the defense is still the team's strong suit. Bottom lIne, you ask? Our guys are off to a *shaky* 3-1 start. A win tonight could give them the confidence to turn this season into something special. Our guys just need to step it up and score some goals.

[asu66]

Just released at 1:00 PM today...

The weekly National Soccer Coaches A'ssn of America (NSCAA) polls...

Coastal Carolina, the newest kid on the Sun Belt block is ranked #5 in the nation.

Also, on the strength of a 3-1 start, App State is ranked #8 in the NCSAA Southeast Region.

Others of note include #1 ODU; #5 UNCC; #7 Marshall and #10 Hartwick

http://www.nscaa.com/rankings/4285/NCAA ... east/Poll3

[asu66]

Well, that 8th place ranking in the Southeast Region didn't last long. Our guys aren't ready for prime time. They blew yet another opportunity to gain respectability for their program.

Longwood 2, App State 0

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=97593

[DoubleA]

We have scored just two goals in the last three games, all in OT. Also, one of two goals resulted from a PK near the end of 2nd OT period. So, to summarize, no goals scored during 90 minute regulation over the past three games. We have had plenty of shots, and outshot our opponent again last night, 15-10. I understand we controlled possesion last night during the first half and had a couple clear opportunities, but couldn't finish. Hopefully to dam is soon to break, so to speak, and the goals finally start flowing.

[DoubleA]

BTW, I don't know how the team had the legs to play four matches in a week. Not a good idea.

[asu66]

BTW, I don't know how the team had the legs to play four matches in a week. Not a good idea.

No, it's not a good idea, but if Mike Sirignano has been working with them, it should have been do-able. I've heard Matt Nelson in two media interviews fussing about the schedule--but it's my understanding that he and Jeff Bilyk are the very ones who arranged the schedule. Look in the mirror guys!

I suspect that Longwood was placed at the end of that four-game stretch for a breather...a gimmee--based on how terrible they were last season. L'wood obviously isn't the same team with the addition of the two redshirt freshman--Miezan and Jalloh. Oops!

[Highbeam]

I agree with everyone on their views but I would like to add a few of my on. The coaches are the ones that fill the schedule with the coordination from the other teams. It wasn't wise to play this many games in to few a days. This doesn't allow the body time to heal and recharge for the next. Any good strength and conditioning coach would say this isn't recommended. This opens the player up to muscle strains and injuries.

Between August 28 thru September 9th there were no games played. Why I wonder? They could have at least two games within that time period which would have allowed easing of having to play the last three games so close together. I know for a fact that there are two or three, possibly 4 teams within two to three hours of driving distance from App that will not play them on the pitch. The reason why they won't play I will not say. These teams are highly respected and would allow App to get a higher RPI schedule. These teams don't respect App? Maybe. The coaches not wanting to play them due to a sure loss on their record? Maybe. The reasoning of a coach to schedule a lighter schedule to help him this season get more wins because his head is on the chopping block? Maybe.

I know of one team that App played on a regular basis until an incident happened on the field. Now one of the teams doesn't want to play the other. Bad blood? Maybe, but I am sure the incident could have been forgotten and the teams playing each other could have continued. Kids will be kids.

I predict the team not scoring consistently will continue. The team is struggling in the midfield area. We have been forced to start three freshmen in the middle. Lack of experience in the midfield is going to be a major problem as we go deeper in our schedule when we start to play our conference schedule. Chapman is now being marked by the other teams best defender. Chapman has got to realize this and bring that defender out from in front of the goal. This will create more space for our attacking midfielder and wingers. We currently play a 4-2-3-1. Personally, think that formation doesn't fit our personnel that well. Makes our wingers run to much and creates to much space between our holding midfielders and defenders. That was the space that was exploited the other night. I would like to see a 4-4-2 formation. This would allow tighter spacing and more numbers on our attacking side. Less running and better defensively.

We have three injuries to key personnel that would normally be on the pitch. Donovan Japp has a knee injury and has started training again. He should be back in the near future. Austin Stamey had major leg surgery in March and May on each leg due to a problem that wasn't picked up by the team trainers and doctors. The surgery has a 12 to 14 month rehab and he was trying to come back in four months out of surgery. I have now heard that he will be given a medical waiver because he wasn't able to get his fitness and strength back in his legs in that short period of time. It would also be a waste to continue on and lose a year of eligibility. Thibaut Arpinon who was injured his knee in the first game. He will be back within the next game or two. He has recently played some on a limited basis. These three are really good players. I hate that only two of three will by making it back. We are not that deep on the bench.

With conference play around the corner, App is going to need everyone healthy and playing well.

[Rekdiver]

I'm sorry but this program has been mediocre for way too long. I am a soccer fan and I am tired of .500 or worse teams. I am afraid that we wither get the program on the national stage after a 30 year absence or it will become a casualty of the budget. Gillin,,,step outta the box and get this fixed pleased. Start with a very hungry coach.

[3rd]

There was a reason he was only given an extension through this season. He is very much on the hot seat.

[DoubleA]

It's tough seeing UNCW, UNCC and Elon ranked nationally while we sit near the bottom of RPI ratings.

[hapapp]

I agree with everyone on their views but I would like to add a few of my on. The coaches are the ones that fill the schedule with the coordination from the other teams. It wasn't wise to play this many games in to few a days. This doesn't allow the body time to heal and recharge for the next. Any good strength and conditioning coach would say this isn't recommended. This opens the player up to muscle strains and injuries.

Between August 28 thru September 9th there were no games played. Why I wonder? They could have at least two games within that time period which would have allowed easing of having to play the last three games so close together. I know for a fact that there are two or three, possibly 4 teams within two to three hours of driving distance from App that will not play them on the pitch. The reason why they won't play I will not say. These teams are highly respected and would allow App to get a higher RPI schedule. These teams don't respect App? Maybe. The coaches not wanting to play them due to a sure loss on their record? Maybe. The reasoning of a coach to schedule a lighter schedule to help him this season get more wins because his head is on the chopping block? Maybe.

I know of one team that App played on a regular basis until an incident happened on the field. Now one of the teams doesn't want to play the other. Bad blood? Maybe, but I am sure the incident could have been forgotten and the teams playing each other could have continued. Kids will be kids.

I predict the team not scoring consistently will continue. The team is struggling in the midfield area. We have been forced to start three freshmen in the middle. Lack of experience in the midfield is going to be a major problem as we go deeper in our schedule when we start to play our conference schedule. Chapman is now being marked by the other teams best defender. Chapman has got to realize this and bring that defender out from in front of the goal. This will create more space for our attacking midfielder and wingers. We currently play a 4-2-3-1. Personally, think that formation doesn't fit our personnel that well. Makes our wingers run to much and creates to much space between our holding midfielders and defenders. That was the space that was exploited the other night. I would like to see a 4-4-2 formation. This would allow tighter spacing and more numbers on our attacking side. Less running and better defensively.

We have three injuries to key personnel that would normally be on the pitch. Donovan Japp has a knee injury and has started training again. He should be back in the near future. Austin Stamey had major leg surgery in March and May on each leg due to a problem that wasn't picked up by the team trainers and doctors. The surgery has a 12 to 14 month rehab and he was trying to come back in four months out of surgery. I have now heard that he will be given a medical waiver because he wasn't able to get his fitness and strength back in his legs in that short period of time. It would also be a waste to continue on and lose a year of eligibility. Thibaut Arpinon who was injured his knee in the first game. He will be back within the next game or two. He has recently played some on a limited basis. These three are really good players. I hate that only two of three will by making it back. We are not that deep on the bench.

With conference play around the corner, App is going to need everyone healthy and playing well.

Not disputing a thing you say as it appears you have a good grasp of the program. But, I did have a question...does anyone still play a 4-4-2?

[TheMackAttack]

Not disputing a thing you say as it appears you have a good grasp of the program. But, I did have a question...does anyone still play a 4-4-2?

Not really a flat 4-4-2. There are teams who play it with a diamond in the midfield. Jason Kreis made it work at Real Salt Lake but it requires great passing and a truly dominant defensive midfielder, Kyle Beckerman in RSL's case.

[Highbeam]

Hapapp,

All of the younger Academies in Europe are taught this formation. They sometimes start with a 4-3-3 for the kids to start with and then change to the 4-4-2 once they master incorporating the 4th midfielder. The premier league and la liga league will play a 4-4-2 but if you have a couple of studs on the backline they will play a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3. This will push another midfielder and forward up the field. The key is getting attacking numbers in the defensive end.

The US Developmental Academy also starts with the 4-4-2 . Of course the USA is far behind in the Europeans in the creativity on the field on the attacking side, but the USA uses it because it can be adapted based on whether a team is setting out to attack or defend. The formation also allows strength in the midfield area and plenty of width on the field. Not length, which can cause problems. Because you would prefer to attack as a unit in numbers which would overwhelm the defense. Also, helps to defend as a unit. Middle of the field teams, with average players, can use it to "park the bus" and force the attacking team to use resources trying to score and the defending team will sit back and wait for a opening or a counter to score off of. All it takes is one goal right?

The USA Women's National team won the world cup playing the 4-4-2. As for college teams who play it, The University of Virginia played a 4-4-2 when they won the College Cup last season.

Chances are, if your coach is from Europe or played in Europe, then they have been schooled in the 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation and the teams they coach will play it.

As for the MLS, I don't watch it. The MLS is like watching high school teams on meth.