Portland-Missouri, September 15

by PurplePrideTrumpet Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:56 pm

Missouri is 4-3-0 and 140 in the RPI (numbers from the nc-soccer site):

Pacific (RPI 279) W 5-1
@ Memphis (58) L 1-2
SE Missouri St. (278) W 4-0
@ UMKC (151) W 3-0
(N) Baylor (69) L 1-2
(N) San Diego (84) L 1-2
Eastern Illinois (259) W 3-0

Seems like they can score, against the weaker teams at least.

by Geezaldinho Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:38 pm

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:Missouri is 4-3-0 and 140 in the RPI (numbers from the nc-soccer site):

Pacific (RPI 279) W 5-1
@ Memphis (58) L 1-2
SE Missouri St. (278) W 4-0
@ UMKC (151) W 3-0
(N) Baylor (69) L 1-2
(N) San Diego (84) L 1-2
Eastern Illinois (259) W 3-0

Seems like they can score, against the weaker teams at least.

After tonight, the stats look a bit different with all scores in but the Hawaii game.
they beat Eastern Illinois today 3-0 which dropped their RPI to 164. E.I. is 328 of 329 teams.

their opponents and their records and the scores:

Pacific (RPI 279) 0-4-2 , W 5-1
@ Memphis (58) 5-1-0 , L 1-2
SE Missouri St. (278) 0-4-1 , W 4-0
@ UMKC (175) 3-3-1 , W 3-0
(N) Baylor (24) 6-0-1 , L 1-2
(N) San Diego (178) 2-2-2 , L 1-2
Eastern Illinois (328) 0-6-0 , W 3-0

So, three of their wins were against winless teams. their only other win was against UMKC which has an even record.

I'd call their best effort the loss to Baylor. the big issue for me is that MIZZOU is sure to be BIG12 physical.

by UPSoccerFanatic Sat Sep 14, 2013 12:14 am

I expect this will be a not particularly pleasant game, as Missouri has a rep of being very physical and, perhaps, dirty. So let's all of us yell and scream at the ref from the beginning any time we see a foul that isn't properly punished (with either a foul call or a foul call and a card if appropriate). Studies show that fan pressure in fact does influence ref calls.

This is a big game for the Pilots. Missou is in the SEC, and the SEC is a top conference. A win over Missou will help the Pilots when it comes to NCAA tournament time because it will give the Pilots a leg up on any SEC team that has tied or lost to Missou. (This is why a win over Wake Forest would have been huge, in relation to the ACC. A loss is not a disaster, mostly just an opportunity lost.)

I love watching the Pilots this year. Their speed of play, for this stage of the season, is better than anything I've seen in a very long time.

by My2cents Sat Sep 14, 2013 7:02 am

It will be interesting to see what kind of game they will play. The stats on fouls and yellow cards called on Missouri in their first 7 games seems to indicate they may be actually trying to clean up their act since playing in the Big-12. Watched them play in person several time when they were in the Big-12 and they were nortorious at fouling and getting yellow carded, leading the conference in those categories. I checked out what they have done so far and they are actually fouling less compared to other teams in the SEC with 52 fouls committed and only one yellow card. Who knows what they do if they get behind or get desparate.

They usually use a 4-3-3, but noticed the one time against San Diego they went with a 4-4-2. Not sure they have faced a team that possesses the ball as well as Portland does. Missouri will not be able to match up in the midfield so expect quick counters, balls over the top, set plays. They can score on set plays, at least they have against less talented teams. It will be interesting to see what they will try to do to handle Portlands quickness and overall speed.

by DoubleDipper Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:29 pm

Give credit to Mizzou for flying to Portland after a Friday night game at home, but either they looked very weary in the second half or the Pilots really picked up their energy level…..it was a close score, but still a pretty lopsided 3-2 win for UP.

The second Missouri goal through a disorganized defense was a downer….just have to hope Amanda is up and defending in time for the game on top of the parking lot in San Diego next week. It’s my recollection UP has generally struggled against the Aztecs......but at least parking will be convenient. clown

by Geezaldinho Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:44 pm

“@ThornsAnalyst: Just talked to Amanda Frisbie... No twists or turns, just a knock. Should be fine, probably gets a pretty sweet bruise of of it. #GoPilots

by jc Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:29 pm

[quote="DoubleDipper"]Give credit to Mizzou for flying to Portland after a Friday night game at home, but either they looked very weary in the second half or the Pilots really picked up their energy level…..

One wonders why they scheduled this single Sunday game on the West Coast following a Friday match at home, and now Missou must travel again, later this week to Starkville, MS (which can't be easy to reach by commercial air). They did indeed look tired, after seeming quite speedy much of the first half. The Missou back line seemed like spectators for the last several of our attacks.

by Indigo Kid Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:34 pm

Watching from home, I was really impressed with the Pilots 2nd half play. The passing was accurate and they had a lot of passion. Hope to get back to Merlo for the next home match.

by Dan No Yell Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:02 pm

Mizzu was tired at the end, as they should have been after chasing (and often winning) every pass, kick and loose ball.

Pilots were beat up and tired too, but had a little more juice.

Not sure why the pilots were taking so many long passes over the top, and shots from way outside in the 1st. Perhaps just trying different stuff.

Boone for Kendrick was a good sub, #4 was pounding Parkes.

I have admired Frisbees D all year, but really watched her today after all the talk. She is playing that position so well. Pro coaches are going to be saying I want the one who will do whatever it takes for the team to win, and can learn any position.

I think she came back in and played the end of the game after going out.

I thought Elmer was a little shakey Friday night, but her tenacity on the ball ended with a brilliant assist. cheers

Also cheers for the team standing up to a very physical team.

by Geezaldinho Sun Sep 15, 2013 8:34 pm

Highlights are up

by My2cents Sun Sep 15, 2013 8:55 pm

Now if they can start putting two halves together, then they'll be tough to beat.

If I was a coach, win or lose, I would want to play Portland just so my team could see how good possession soccer is played.

by DoubleDipper Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:40 am

As we are generally quick to criticize the Oregonian for its lack of coverage I think we should also acknowledge the post-game coverage of both games this last weekend.

This from Nick Daschel at the Mizzou game:

http://www.oregonlive.com/pilots/index.ssf/2013/09/womens_soccer_micaela_capelle_1.html

by pilothouse Mon Sep 16, 2013 10:20 am

Agreed. Good to see a nice write up. Micaela's energy throughout the season has been key, even without scoring. Also kudos to Cruz, Kurle and McCluskie for playing full games at full speed.

by My2cents Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:43 pm

Loved watching them in the 2nd half as they took control of the game, and kept Missouri penned down in their own end fending off shot after shot.

One area of concern though, is their inability to score on corner kicks. Anyone want to shed some thought on what might be wrong? To not be able to get just one in out of 26 attempts this weekend is not good. In fact, I don't think they have had a goal off a corner kick in the 7 games already played.

by Dan No Yell Tue Sep 17, 2013 2:38 pm

Good question about corners.
Someday soon McCluskie is going to head one in.

Another question, when there is a foul Portland tends to put the ball in play as fast as possible, rather than setting up a set play. Good idea?

by Geezaldinho Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:25 pm

Dan No Yell wrote:

Another question, when there is a foul Portland tends to put the ball in play as fast as possible, rather than setting up a set play. Good idea?

One of those quick starts led directly to a goal when Frisbie quick started to Cruz who centered the ball to ...? ( sheepishly forgets who finished). Embarassed

by PurplePrideTrumpet Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:05 pm

Geezaldinho wrote:
Dan No Yell wrote:

Another question, when there is a foul Portland tends to put the ball in play as fast as possible, rather than setting up a set play. Good idea?
One of those quick starts led directly to a goal when Frisbie quick started to Cruz who centered the ball to ...? ( sheepishly forgets who finished).

First one was Sippel from Evans at the end of a counter, second one was Capelle after Elmer's shot was saved, third one was Kendrick making a run from midfield and laying off for Capelle.

by Geezaldinho Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:15 pm

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:
Geezaldinho wrote:
Dan No Yell wrote:

Another question, when there is a foul Portland tends to put the ball in play as fast as possible, rather than setting up a set play. Good idea?
One of those quick starts led directly to a goal when Frisbie quick started to Cruz who centered the ball to ...? ( sheepishly forgets who finished).
First one was Sippel from Evans at the end of a counter, second one was Capelle after Elmer's shot was saved, third one was Kendrick making a run from midfield and laying off for Capelle.

(sigh) Nevada game winner

On a free kick shortly after the opening kickoff, Amanda Frisbie went with a quick re-start to Michelle Cruz just inside the left edge of the 18. Cruz took a couple of touches before sending a low ball into the box. Parker got a touch on the pass, re-directing it to Wetherington, who did the rest by burying a shot into the back of the net.

Portlandpilots.com

by UPSoccerFanatic Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:34 pm

The question about quick re-starts and an earlier comment about the Pilots putting two halves together are prompting me to comment on strategy. This year, more than I can remember in a long time, the Pilots are playing with a very high speed of play and are moving the ball relentlessly and continuously around the field. This kind of soccer is a "full game" strategy. Much of the first half is spent forcing the opposition to chase as much as possible. Over the course of a game this wears the opposition down and spaces begin to open up in the second half. The first half is not going to be as successful from a possession and goal scoring perspective because the opposition is fresh for the early part and still has energy at the end of the half. The Pilots will lose the ball more in the first half and make more seemingly errant passes because the opposition is quicker and has more energy. But later in the second half, the opposition gets tired and can't do as much. That is when the Pilots are going to score most of their goals.

I don't think I've ever seen this more clearly than against Missouri. I remember remarking to my neighbor fans, in the first half, that the Missouri defenders were going to be wiped out by late in the second half. By the last "quarter," the Missouri defenders were out of gas. I was watching their left side defender, #4, who did a great job contesting the ball in the first half. By the last quarter, she was backing off, hoping like heck that they wouldn't take another run against her. I particularly was watching her when the ball was away from her part of the field. She looked like she was praying for the game to be over ASAP.

So, I think the Pilots put together two good halves (with a mishap in each half) against Missouri. The Pilots looked better in the second half, but it was in large part because Missouri was more tired. Plus, one reason for quick restarts is to keep up the relentless pressure and requirement that the Missouri defenders run around the field without getting time to rest. One reason to foul is get time to recover. Quick restarts don't allow that time.

by Indigo Kid Wed Sep 18, 2013 5:28 am

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:The question about quick re-starts and an earlier comment about the Pilots putting two halves together are prompting me to comment on strategy. This year, more than I can remember in a long time, the Pilots are playing with a very high speed of play and are moving the ball relentlessly and continuously around the field. This kind of soccer is a "full game" strategy. Much of the first half is spent forcing the opposition to chase as much as possible. Over the course of a game this wears the opposition down and spaces begin to open up in the second half. The first half is not going to be as successful from a possession and goal scoring perspective because the opposition is fresh for the early part and still has energy at the end of the half. The Pilots will lose the ball more in the first half and make more seemingly errant passes because the opposition is quicker and has more energy. But later in the second half, the opposition gets tired and can't do as much. That is when the Pilots are going to score most of their goals.

I don't think I've ever seen this more clearly than against Missouri. I remember remarking to my neighbor fans, in the first half, that the Missouri defenders were going to be wiped out by late in the second half. By the last "quarter," the Missouri defenders were out of gas. I was watching their left side defender, #4, who did a great job contesting the ball in the first half. By the last quarter, she was backing off, hoping like heck that they wouldn't take another run against her. I particularly was watching her when the ball was away from her part of the field. She looked like she was praying for the game to be over ASAP.

I like the possession play from this group. It will only lead to better things in the future!
So, I think the Pilots put together two good halves (with a mishap in each half) against Missouri. The Pilots looked better in the second half, but it was in large part because Missouri was more tired. Plus, one reason for quick restarts is to keep up the relentless pressure and requirement that the Missouri defenders run around the field without getting time to rest. One reason to foul is get time to recover. Quick restarts don't allow that time.

I have to agree with you. My wife and I were watching from home. We commented on a couple of their defenders looking gassed. The one that was injured, we were also saying that we thought she just needed a stoppage to get her wind. I am not saying she was not injured, just that the stoppage would help her get her wind back.

Portland-Missouri, September 15

Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15

Re: Portland-Missouri, September 15