UIC vs. UMKC
Aug 31, 2008 9:36:03 GMT -6
Post by ss2002 on Aug 31, 2008 9:36:03 GMT -6
Aug 31, 2008 9:11:55 GMT -6 @soccer fan said:
We had a hard time scoring (duh, right?) . In the first half it felt like we rarely had the ball down to where we could score. I remember at one point, we did have a good shot, but for some reason, the UIC player (can't remember who it was) held onto the ball for a couple extra seconds instead of going for the clear shot, allowing a UMKC player to sweep in close on his shot.
In the second half, we finally had scored, only to have the game tied up on a penalty kick, and then within a matter of a couple of minutes the lead was taken away. The thing I and a few of the fans sitting around me noticed about UMKC'S second goal was that as soon as the UMKC player got the ball, our defense pretty much stopped and let him have at it.
A note about the turnout for the game- I was pretty impressed and happy about the turnout. There was a good mix of people there- people from the neighborhood, alumns, current students - it was nice to see. I think that the attendance was boosted by the fact that it was a Friday- I noticed a lot of people dressed to hit the bars/parties later. It looked like people were using it a a start to the night and to meet up. Also, the fact that school has started recently probably helped too. Students are still exploring and figuring out what's fun to do on campus. The Fury was out in full force as well. There were a ton of them. I love the drum that they use!
I wanted to say, and this doesn't really have anything to do with the game, is that I am amazed by the scene down there. It really is great to see students walking down Halsted and making the south campus area the place to be. I'm very jealous of the campus as it is now. Anyone who graduated before all the new developments and hasn't been back since should make an attempt to check it out. You will be shocked. This isn't the first time I've been back, but I am always amazed. The way the area used to look and how it looks now...unbelievable...
I'm planning to make Monday's game and a few more. I'm having fun learning and following UIC is not a bad way to do it. Hopefully, by the end of the season I will be able to post with more details and soccer knowledge
KC employed a very effective defensive strategy in the first half.
Whenever UIC got the ball in their half of the field, KC immediately withdrew, except for the forwards, who took up position 10-15 feet on the UIC side of the midfield. Nobody on KC's team EVER challenged or pressured the UIC defenders. This set up a numerical disadvantage for UIC's midfielders around the midfield line, and as soon as they got the ball from the defenders, they were blitzed. Its a classic trap, and more often than not, our guys coughed up the ball. This is why there were so few shots.
The low points of the game had to be the penalty calls. Neither of them needed to be made, in my opinion.
As a resident of University Village, I am glad to hear your favorable impression of our neighborhood. I've been living here for over two years, I really like it, and yes, it is truly starting to feel like a college town. I'm noticing more students around this year, even more than last, which I didn't expect since Stukel Towers opened last year.
I suspect what is happening is that a lot of the kids who were in the dorms last year are opting to either stay living on campus, or are at least staying in the neighborhood. Rather than leave every weekend, or spend all their time on the North Side (which was the norm in the student commons), they are creating a social scene centered at Halsted/Maxwell.
And hey, don't be jealous, be glad! All it really means is that UIC isn't just a place mainly for hipsters and ethnics anymore. It is also a place for conventional kids to spend a conventional 4 years in college. Which is fine by me, there's plenty of room for everyone.
Thanks for the detailed explanation of the game. I appreciate the insight. Clearly you know a ton about soccer. I love baseball, but there's always room for more sports. So I look forward to more of your analysis on the board to help me learn.
I am happy for UIC for having what they have now. But I will always be a little sad that I didn't have that type of atmosphere for my college experience.
