Pilots vs. Virginia Tech, Friday 11/20, Merlo Field

Good photos, thanks for sharing.

Telionis wrote:

pms268 wrote:I was mildly amused that the loud and somewhat obnoxious VT cheering section in the row right behind us got quiet in a hurry.

Really? I'd be blown away if any of our fans traveled that far. According to CityDistance, Portland is 2239 miles from Blacksburg. I know we travel well, but not that well!!! Maybe it was VT alumni that live in or near Portland!?!

Yes...they were local alums. If I recall there were five or six of them. Very knowledgeable about the game but a little unsure of college rules. I'd say they were huge soccer fans who happened to be VT grads.

http://www.hokiesports.com/wsoccer/gallery/

Trenchcoats game review- (short and always... to the point)

Great game indeed! For the first time this year I saw the Pilots score multiple goals on counter attacks. This is a huge move forward in the quest for the national title. Most seasonal play has been, pass pass pass; try to get it the ball into the eighteen yard box; pass, pass, pass, then try for a pretty 'give and go' shot. This game was different! It was filled with gutsy crosses and huge attacks on goal. This is a very positive tactic (attacking the goal) in beating other good teams.

I don't believe I saw any 'short corners' either. What I did see was the outside players (Kendall) knocking it into the danger zone for multiple goal attacks. I like that in soccer!

The only negative I saw was the stall tactic at the end of the game (getting to the corner and standing on the ball). With the score at 4-1 it was unnecessary. I don't like to see the Pilots do things like that (Stall tactics and short corners). They should have continued to attack the goal.

Trenchcoat Pilot game rating......... 5 out of 5 stars.

Threnchcoat

Trenchcoat Wally wrote:The only negative I saw was the stall tactic at the end of the game (getting to the corner and standing on the ball). With the score at 4-1 it was unnecessary. I don't like to see the Pilots do things like that (Stall tactics and short corners). They should have continued to attack the goal.

I was the only person in my area of the stands who liked seeing this. They need to practice killing the clock using that tactic. They haven't done it much this year, and they have to take their opportunities when they get them. So, I was glad to see them practicing it, which is exactly what they were doing.

Plus, I think protecting the 4-1 score was important, for lots of "sending a message" reasons.

Yes, but 5-1 is also a good message to send.

Are we still discussing last Friday's game? Hey, it was worth 12 pages (and counting). I liked the stall at the end only because it was what the Pilots should have done versus UW the week before and didn't -- and nearly paid for it by giving up a corner and a free kick in the final minute. They didn't need to use the stall against VT to win with the score as it was. What they needed it for was practice for when it could be crucial.

I like the VT photo gallery shared by ohhh_yeah -- thanks for the link (even tho the pics made the score look like 1-0 Hokies). It's good to see the Pilots and their field as others see them and it all looked great.

Agreed on the pics--there were some good shots in there, and I like to see how others "see" us... a great reminder of the great program we have on the bluff.

I don't know if I agree with the tactic of going into the corner and farting around with the ball, but I do agree that they need to know how to kill the game off, play within themsleves, take less chances, retain possession and run down the clock.

Harry Redknapp wrote:I don't know if I agree with the tactic of going into the corner and farting around with the ball, but I do agree that they need to know how to kill the game off, play within themsleves, take less chances, retain possession and run down the clock.

I agree 100% (Harry is so wise). We play the possession game so well that we should be able to kill off time just possessing the ball - playing keepaway - with little or no intention of going seriously into the attacking third of the field. I bet that if the Pilots just ate up time with midfield passes and safety passes back to the back line, so that the other team (remember, they're behind and desperate) had to come out and chase, that some very dangerous scoring opportunities would open up. If they didn't come out and chase, just keep playing keepaway.

I agree (to an extent) that it's wise to take fewer chances at that point in the game, but offense and defense are not mutually exclusive. Playing solid, possession-style offense is the first line of defense.