Topic: A little info about Natl Champ foe Vermont

[chris88]

- Have a roster with many intls but not as many as us. They are more concentrated than our intls with a whopping 9 players from Germany, a couple from Canada, and others
- They have only allowed two goals in 5 NCAA games
- After beating Siena 5-0 in first round they have beaten final post conf tourney RPI teams: (RPI #5/ranked#18) Hofstra on road, (RPI #20/ranked #3) San Diego on road, (RPI #3/ranked #9) Pitt on road, and (#2 RPI/Ranked #4) Denver in Cary. So they aren't going to be intimidated by us at all.

NCAA Matches (shots/sog/corners):

Vs Siena 20/7/7 vs 12/4/3. GK 4 saves. 5-0 W
@ Hofstra 6/3/3 vs 13/5/5  GK 4 saves   2-1 W
@San Diego 11/3/1 vs 13/7/3. GK 7 saves 1-0 W OT (on a PK)
@Pitt 6/2/2 vs 17/6/5. GK 6 saves 2-0 W
Vs Denver 13/1/1 vs 19/6/7 GK 5 saves 1-1 T, advance on PK

- So they have been outshot, out SOG, out CK in every game since Siena but have won them all.
- They have just 9 SOG since Siena but have won all 4 games.
- Their last 4 SOG over last 3 games have all found back of net.
- Their GK has 26 saves in NCAAs and has given up just two goals. Their GK is a FR.

So they are very patient and very efficient on offense and obviously solid on defense and at GK.

[Garbanjo]

Thanks for the info man

As I've said for the past few weeks, if we play well, we will win it all. We're that good, imo.

Go Herd!

[elginherd]

Thanks Chris.

I think that one of the keys to winning is to avoid surrendering CKs and free kicks in dangerous areas. They are tall and physical.

[MicDrass1]

Do you see a 1-0 / PK type game?

[banker]

In other words, they play like Germans. Technical, no flash, detailed.

[CoachMaclid]

I'm going to be really interested in seeing how Vermont chooses to play us defensively.  Ohio State pressed high the whole game (and got burned on it one time), but in their game against Denver, Vermont was patient and allowed Denver to possess in their half of the field without much pressure.  I dont think Vermont is as deep as SMU or Ohio State were, so we may not face the pressure we have the last two games and have a bit more of an opportunity to build from the back. 

I am looking forward to this one.  Vermont is basically us 4 years ago.  We have to go and earn it.

[bbcard1]

I know very little about soccer...but I know I'll be there with three others tomorrow cheering for the Herd.

[pricherd]

I was fortunate to attend the game in Cary on Friday and I was pulling for a Vermont victory because I thought Denver looked like the better team (anticipating a Herd victory and their matchup in the finals).  That being said, Vermont seems to be a team of destiny so I'm sure the Herd will have their hands full.  Hope we can pull it off!

On another note, I was very impressed with the facility there at Cary.  It was much larger than I anticipated, having only seen it on TV.  The natural grass field surface was impressive and the stands and parking handled the crowds well.  Looking forward to a massive Herd-friendly crowd there on Monday!

[Garbanjo]

I was fortunate to attend the game in Cary on Friday and I was pulling for a Vermont victory because I thought Denver looked like the better team (anticipating a Herd victory and their matchup in the finals).  That being said, Vermont seems to be a team of destiny so I'm sure the Herd will have their hands full.  Hope we can pull it off!

On another note, I was very impressed with the facility there at Cary.  It was much larger than I anticipated, having only seen it on TV.  The natural grass field surface was impressive and the stands and parking handled the crowds well.  Looking forward to a massive Herd-friendly crowd there on Monday!

We are the team of destiny man. F Vermont lol

Go Herd!

[MUther]

We are the team of destiny man. F Vermont lol

Go Herd!

Maple syrup eating mfers.

[parshall2marshall]

Thanks Chris.

I think that one of the keys to winning is to avoid surrendering CKs and free kicks in dangerous areas. They are tall and physical.

Not saying it can't happen but I do not see Vermont scoring from a non-setpiece. They like the sideline throw-in's to come all the way into the 6-yard box, or close to it. They are very tall as a team and looking for headers off those and corners.

If I was Grassie I would be on the game officials to make sure the Vermont throw-in's are done correctly, i.e. within the rules on the grasping of the ball.

They seem slow of foot (as someone pointed out here a few weeks ago), especially defensively. But they are quick and handle well in small spaces. Denver found this out while trying to get the ball past them inside the 3rd.

Marshall should continue to test from time to time over the top as we have been doing. But our constant builds from the back may take a physical and mental toll on them if we can do it as much or more than Denver did in their first 60 minutes or so. Would be nice of course to get a lead early and perhaps change the nature of Vermont strategy.

Go Herd !!

[overherd1]

Any word on injuries.? I am Fajita is out by the looks of what happened when he was taken off the field the last game.  I know we played without him for several games this year.  Just need to have someone step up.

[herdfan129]

Can?t wait. Any word on DoSantos?

[parshall2marshall]

Can?t wait. Any word on DoSantos?

He was on the pitch for the first 30 minutes or so of the 2nd half. I don't think a raging bull could sideline him Monday Night.

[Mako]

I know very little about soccer...but I know I'll be there with three others tomorrow cheering for the Herd.

Same.  The limit of my soccer knowledge is that you are supposed to knock the ball into the net and you can't use your hands unless you're the goalie.  That's it.  But, I'll be there screaming for the Herd.  Can't pass up a chance to see us win another national championship!

[elginherd]

Same.  The limit of my soccer knowledge is that you are supposed to knock the ball into the net and you can't use your hands unless you're the goalie.  That's it.  But, I'll be there screaming for the Herd.  Can't pass up a chance to see us win another national championship!

If you haven't been to a live high level college soccer match, you'll be surprised about how fast and quick the players are. It gets pretty physical too, and I'd expect this match with Vermont to be especially so.

[herdfan129]

If you haven't been to a live high level college soccer match, you'll be surprised about how fast and quick the players are. It gets pretty physical too, and I'd expect this match with Vermont to be especially so.

My favorite thing is the constant action. No TV timeouts every 5 minutes.

[2xBison]

Same.  The limit of my soccer knowledge is that you are supposed to knock the ball into the net and you can't use your hands unless you're the goalie.  That's it.  But, I'll be there screaming for the Herd.  Can't pass up a chance to see us win another national championship!

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[elginherd]

My favorite thing is the constant action. No TV timeouts every 5 minutes.

Yep!
And the home crowd at Hoops is a more enthusiastic, involved crew than most of the home crowds at the Cam or the Joan.

[overherd1]

Looking forward to the game tonight.  Curious how Vermont will play us.  I have very limited soccer knowledge, but it sure seemed like Ohio State pressed us hard in our defensive third.  We countered by sending many longs balls from the goalie, unlike most of the year where we just controlled the ball on our back end.  That worked one time and was enough to win the match.  At least that is what I thought I saw.  I am sure Grassie will game plan and have us ready.  Just don't know how Vermont typically plays.  Go Herd!!

[puma]

Yep!
And the home crowd at Hoops is a more enthusiastic, involved crew than most of the home crowds at the Cam or the Joan.

And the regular season, single camera ESPN+ streams really don't do the sport justice. It's an entirely different experience in person.

[marshallmark]

Looking forward to the game tonight.  Curious how Vermont will play us.  I have very limited soccer knowledge, but it sure seemed like Ohio State pressed us hard in our defensive third.  We countered by sending many longs balls from the goalie, unlike most of the year where we just controlled the ball on our back end.  That worked one time and was enough to win the match.  At least that is what I thought I saw.  I am sure Grassie will game plan and have us ready.  Just don't know how Vermont typically plays.  Go Herd!!

Ohio State is very good, and very physical. 

Reminded me a little of when we beat Clemson in 2020/2021 championship run.  Clemson and Ohio State both dominated possession but we did just enough to win.  Soccer lends itself to matches like that.

[CoachMaclid]

Preview from Top Drawer Soccer:

https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/mens-college-cup-final-preview_aid54183

[herdfan129]

Preview from Top Drawer Soccer:

https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/mens-college-cup-final-preview_aid54183

Great write up. Thanks for sharing.