My thoughts on big win over Pitt (sorry kinda long):
- I was reminded about why driving from Cincy to Hton can be a chore. I was about an hour later than expected (5:30 ish) due to 2-3 construction delays, a bridge being closed, and a major accident involving some teenagers on AA highway. Thankfully everyone was ok. Police had not arrived. I had to move some debris to be able to get around the side.
- Was blessed to speak with LuckyToes and his wife prior to game. We were at MU at same time. I met a bunch of other really great people too. It amazes me how many normal, salt of the earth people I meet on these trips. Ran into some old frat brothers too.
- The soccer stadium looks great with changes/additions. Just a terrific atmosphere. The crowd was great too, although not as wild as I expected. One thing we need is a rowdy soccer hooligan student club. The listed attendance of 1,879 is accurate. The press box side bleachers hold exactly 1,000. No way do the bleachers on other side hold that many. I saw the SRO sign on ticket window as I was leaving so the game sold out. My guess is new bleachers hold about 500. So about 1,500 in bleachers and another 379 SRO sounds about right. Not sure where the 2,500 came from. The WVU game last year had 3,033 so they must have sold a ton of SROs but that also was before the new bleachers. The 1,879 was 4th highest attendance for soccer game in country for weekend behind Scarolina vs Clemson at 5,449, UConn vs NJIT at 3,112, Maryland vs Denver (both ranked) at 3,050. They desperately need another concession stand.
- Game itself was everything I expected. I thought MU was better team in first half and could easily had 3 or 4 goals imo. Pitt really didn't have many good looks at all. Second was as others described with first 15-20 minutes being even although I think MU has best chance just out of reach from Milo and Holmes. Semmle again did a masterful job managing game and has key saves. People don't realize that some saves look easy because he is good positionally. I was disappointed we were on our heels so much in last 20 or so minutes but after watching the replay yesterday I think it was more to do with our cramping issues than anything Pitt did. We had 6-7 stops for cramping and many times the player(s) had to go out. The really killed our connectivity/continuity on offense and led to some minor breakdowns on defense especially as it pertains to getting to spots whether that be substitutes or guys playing through cramping. Overall, think the people off bench did a phenomenal job. I didn't think Colin was great in some of his decision making. His pass towards middle is what created the Pitt goal. He had ample opportunity to move ball back to outside and to Semmle as we had done all game but this mistake created numbers in box for Pitt. He also had a few other curious decisions on throw ins and passes. I realize he is new to wing back but he was a liability at times last night. Alves is a guy who rarely if ever makes bad decisions. I love Colin just expect a little more with his experience. He made a key play on a ball Pitt had in box as he slid in to kick dangerous ball away. Pitt has a couple uber talented skill guys and overall just a good, solid team. I really felt like we were going to blow it toward end. So much so I left my seat and went to bathroom with about 5-6 minutes left. I stayed out by concession area until they announced one minute left and went back in along railing close to field to watch the end. Big sigh of relief when Alves booted the ball high and long out of danger with 20 seconds left. And the celebration began.
- So after game I am celebrating with everyone along railing close to bench. Over a few minutes a man with soccer jersey is on my right and woman on my left. At one point one of them said "you think we'd be allowed to go onto field". The lady to left of me says "I would think if you were the college president". I laughed and the lady says "he IS the president". Then I realized it was Brad Smith. The lady on other side of me was his wife. I mean he had his MU soccer gear on and he was so small it hadn't dawned on me until she said that. Then I recognized him and introduced myself to both of them and told them what a great job they were doing. Both super nice. They then said goodbye and ended up heading out onto field and I felt silly not recognizing him at first but thought it was a good story to share. A drove home after game and got there about 1am.
Next up @Cleveland State (3-0) next Wednesday/ESPN+
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