The Big Dance

[Mr.Right]

I just had time to watch the last part as I'll watch it all later on but the last 10 seconds were hilarious. I don't think they thought the microphone was picking up what they said but Someone goes " that was nice just freelancing" to Weatherbie...then Weatherbie goes "aiight let's get outta here" so they all stand up to leave and Mieth is like umm here let me just ahh grab this umm trophy all nonchalantly...picks it up like he's gonna make out with it and then they all disappear...IDK that was kinda funny.

[BetaBob]

Just hoping Mr. Right would be gracious enough to congratulate Tufts after hating on them/shorting them all season. Probably the same guy who shorted Apple and Amazon. Eventually you'll be right I guess. See you next year my man!

[irapthor]

Thanks to everyone who watched our broadcast of all of the games this weekend... Really enjoyed calling all these exciting games for the third year in a row alongside Dave

[Mr.Right]

Just hoping Mr. Right would be gracious enough to congratulate Tufts after hating on them/shorting them all season. Probably the same guy who shorted Apple and Amazon. Eventually you'll be right I guess. See you next year my man!

You are right I did forget to congratulate Tufts.....I can promise you I am not a Tufts hater and I really do not think I was "hating" on them all season. We can agree to disagree on that. Did I short them? YES...I have no problem admitting that and also no problem saying I WAS WRONG...In my pre-season predictions I picked them to finish #2 behind Amherst in Nescac because I thought they had lost a monster Senior class with some glue guys that I did not think were easily replaceable right away. I was proved wrong. I must admit ever since the Bowdoin game Tufts has been scoring goals at an impressive clip as they were clicking in attack all November. However, up until mid-October they were still really struggling to find the back of the net against strong Nescac defenses that were sitting deep and compact. They had something like 7 Goals in 7 Nescac games until they moseyed out to Hartford and walloped Trinity 6-0 and then the floodgates opened as something obviously clicked because ever since that game they have been finishing with precision. Including the Trinity match they have scored multiple goals in 7 of their last 9 matches against Nescac and NCAA competition. No cupcakes..Colby held them 0-0 and advanced on PK's in the Nescac Tournament and Stevens held them scoreless until the 80th minute. So you have to understand that based on the past few seasons and up until the middle of October I saw a team that was still struggling to score goals. That is why I "shorted" them. I thought they would get knocked out in the Sweet 16 / Elite 8 again this year and replicate their 2017 staggering NCAA tournament record 328 minutes of scoreless soccer. 


Was I more critical of Tufts than others? Yes maybe...I think it just really started to piss me off in late September. Tufts was not scoring goals but they were clearly the most talented and dominant team in Nescac/New England BUT they were still sticking to their guns and playing in that 4-2-3-1 and playing VERY conservatively IMO. We can disagree on that if you want BUT IMO they had WAY TO MUCH TALENT to play in that system and use the same tactics they were using in 2016 with this group of players. 2018 Tufts was more talented than 2016 Tufts yet they were playing the same style. I wanted to see them open it up on opponents and come out of their "shell" more. They had way to much talent to hold with 6 and attack with 4 or sometimes 5. I thought it was ridiculous not to play a free flowing all out attacking style like Pep because they had the talent to do it against other Nescac teams. That is what had irked me but that's me and we can agree to disagree.


I know how good of a Coach Shapiro is and I say it all the time that guys get to this program and continue to improve their play where in other programs guys seem to flatline. I am positive next year we will see marked improvement and significant contributions from guys that did not see much of the field this year. That is a testament to how good of a Head Coach Shapiro is. On the topic of Shapiro it is interesting as unlike most Head Coaches he seems very content where he is in life. 3 NCAA Titles in 5 years would get you a ton of interviews at D1 schools. I guess I am just used to Head Coaches that are always looking for the next career move and I am actually saying it is quite refreshing to see a Head Coach be so content in his situation. It is really old school because you would see a ton of this in the 1970's/80's but it is pretty rare these days. Maybe he does not want to Coach in D1 and deal with all the headaches, all the recruiting, etc etc. He has had his fill at Georgetown and others. Maybe he knows winning titles like this in D1 would be almost impossible unless he were to end up at a top level ACC/Big 10 school.

As far as BetaBob....Where were you all season? Obviously, you were reading my work but failing to throw yourself into the mixer. I would not care if you are a Jumbo partisan. Why not log in and give it to me and critique my work each week? Give us your opinions and evals....Instead you decide to read my work all year and then throw a cheap shot to my gut when I am not looking. That's fine to each his own.....

[Mr.Right]

Just finished watching the Calvin/Tufts pressers and nothing really jumps out at me that is new. I mean you can tell Tufts players love playing for Shapiro as they really respect him. I thought the Calvin Head Coach was obviously disappointed BUT reading between the lines I think he clearly thought Calvin was the better team. He acknowledged that Calvin dominated possession and thought that would determine who won the game. I guess I am a little surprised at his tactics going into the game against Tufts. He probably only had seen Tufts play UR but clearly he should know since they played in 2016 what to expect from Tufts and how to beat them. However, Calvin did not look willing or ready for the physicality of Tufts out of the gates. By the 2nd Half Calvin was matching Tufts physicality but it was to late as they were down 2-0. I also was a bit surprised at how Calvin tried to attack Tufts. They were trying to play wide as they did against Chicago and clearly were attacking the left side of the field BUT they were attacking at the same speed they were attacking Chicago. Chicago just does not defend or hunt the ball like Tufts does. As I said all game Calvin was moving to slow in attack when they were possessing. They dominated possession but Tufts had plenty of time to get set defensively and thwart any dangerous chances. Calvin HAD to play even faster than they were. Get the ball back off a giveaway and ping two quick passes and then get the ball wide to the flanks. Burst down the flank and get service into the box with 4-5 guys waiting. They were not doing that as they took way to long and they started to get frustrated a bit because at about the 30th minute Vetger hit a couple beautiful 40 yard balls long to try to spring their striker but Tufts easily snuffed them out. I guess I am trying to say I am a little surprised at Calvin's Head Coach approach in attack.

[d4_Pace]

Mr. Right appreciate you admitting your mistake. We certainly appreciated your bulletin board material.  I think your criticism of Tufts for being defensive misses you point a little bit. The reality is this team is as offensive as the 2014 group but other teams have changed in response to our success. Happens when you win 3 in 5.  When teams come out with the entire intention of playing for a draw it is going to be tough to score a bunch of goals. With the exception of Trinity every team in this conference is well-organized, athletic and tough to break down. But despite that tufts was only shut out twice all year. 

I think honestly the source of most of the animosity on the part of people associated with Tufts comes from your individual assessments which often are completely wide of the mark. Any time you called someone on the team soft you were wrong, just ask Calvin or Amherst if TVB was soft. 

[blooter442]

FWIW, I think this team was the best Tufts team yet, in terms of record (obviously), talent, and depth. 2016 was a scrappy group that as Shapiro said was incredibly comfortable in tight situations, but most will admit didn't play the best soccer. 2014 had some nice players like Santos, Brown, and Hoppenot but this year's team had Braun (who had a very good year despite my comments about his 1st Team AA Selection), Tasker, Lane, Rojas, and Van Brewer...I also thought Tasker should have been an AA. And even with d4's point about teams setting up to play for the draw, Tufts scored 13 in 5 games this NCAA run (2.6/game) as opposed to 14 in 6 in 2014 (2.3/game). More goals per game during the NCAA run despite teams parking buses...that speaks to how good this year's team was.

[Mr.Right]

Mr. Right appreciate you admitting your mistake. We certainly appreciated your bulletin board material.  I think your criticism of Tufts for being defensive misses you point a little bit. The reality is this team is as offensive as the 2014 group but other teams have changed in response to our success. Happens when you win 3 in 5.  When teams come out with the entire intention of playing for a draw it is going to be tough to score a bunch of goals. With the exception of Trinity every team in this conference is well-organized, athletic and tough to break down. But despite that tufts was only shut out twice all year. 

I think honestly the source of most of the animosity on the part of people associated with Tufts comes from your individual assessments which often are completely wide of the mark. Any time you called someone on the team soft you were wrong, just ask Calvin or Amherst if TVB was soft.

I actually just stated teams were coming out in Nescac and playing defensive and yes I understand it is hard to break them down. I am not talking about goals I am talking about system of play. However, my point was if they could not break them down in Nescac how were they going to break down teams in he NCAA's that would be more talented and still playing defensive. My criticism was the system of play and tactics on Tufts part in the beginning of the year. I just thought it would be nice to see such a talented team come out and play attacking soccer and go all out. Attack with your wingbacks and sit with Aroh, Najjar and Paoletta like Man City. Instead we got a team did not want to give up the first goal and played to conservative with the talent they had. I just happened to think it made for more unnecessary ugly Nescac soccer games.


I honestly do not think my individual assessments were "wide of the mark"....I can admit when I am wrong....TVB did show in the Final 4 especially against Calvin he was willing to get his nose stuck in there. What else....Is Aroh not slow? Does Najjar not give the ball away more than he should? Does Tasker now have a left foot? Surely I am wrong sometimes on individual assessments as everyone is BUT do some of these players not have weaknesses? Is Braun now the most technical striker in D3? .....You people do forget I also praise them a ton as well....Tasker's speed....Braun's raw athleticism....Shapiro's ability to improve players...Weatherbie's guts....Paoletta's technique/Soccer IQ...On and on....

[d4_Pace]

See and thats my point. First off, Calvin is one of the fastest guys on the team at top speed and is an absurd athlete for the d3 level. And tasker scored a goal with his left foot Friday so it must be alright.

Braun's technique... actually you're spot on with that.

And you're being a little generous to Biagio's soccer IQ. Kids an animal though.

[d4_Pace]

And tufts scoring record in the NCAAs, with the exception of last year when Tasker and Kulscar were out and braun was hampered by injury, is the proof of my point. When they play teams that are willing to play them straight up they score goals. They certainly don't change their style for the tournament but their opponents do. Montclair state was the perfect example of what happens to teams that try to play tufts in an open game. 

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Mr. Right appreciate you admitting your mistake. We certainly appreciated your bulletin board material.  I think your criticism of Tufts for being defensive misses you point a little bit. The reality is this team is as offensive as the 2014 group but other teams have changed in response to our success. Happens when you win 3 in 5.  When teams come out with the entire intention of playing for a draw it is going to be tough to score a bunch of goals. With the exception of Trinity every team in this conference is well-organized, athletic and tough to break down. But despite that tufts was only shut out twice all year. 

I think honestly the source of most of the animosity on the part of people associated with Tufts comes from your individual assessments which often are completely wide of the mark. Any time you called someone on the team soft you were wrong, just ask Calvin or Amherst if TVB was soft.

d4P, does this mean that current NESCAC players actually read these threads and are aware, for example, when MR levels individual criticisms at players?

[Mr.Right]

All I can opine on is what I see. Unlike yourself who watches these guys everyday at practice and every game I do not see everything. I try to watch all 11 Nescac teams and write what I see. It is impossible to watch every minute of every game for any team. I watched Tufts just as much as I watched any other Nescac team. I still think I get it right most of the time especially considering I only see them play maybe once a week and on a stream. Your refusal to acknowledge any weaknesses of your players is telling and I was not debating you about your opponents playing style. I am agreeing with you on that. I was talking about Tufts playing style especially late September/early October when it was clear Tufts was the best team in the region. It was just frustrating for someone that watches a ton of Nescac Men's Soccer to see the best team play the way they were playing against lesser Nescac sides. It is just a disagreement on tactics/playing style. I just happened to think it was unnecessarily overly conservative for the best team in the league to NOT ATTACK full throttle and go at every Nescac team they played for the full 90. That's all and we can agree to disagree......

[Mr.Right]

I am sorry but Aroh might be fine "at top speed" but he is not a quick player especially with the ball at his feet. A holding midfielder usually has to rely on quickness for 90 minutes than running at top speed. Braun could have had 4 Goals this weekend if he was a lethal finisher however if he was a lethal finisher he would be starting for an ACC school. So it is a good thing he slipped thru the cracks...

[Mr.Right]

One more thing....Let's assume I do have it all ass backwards and I do not know what I am talking about. Out of curiosity D4Pace or any other Jumbo supporter since you have probably taken a few Coaching Courses prove me wrong. Let's say you are a Head Men's Soccer Coach with a match against Tufts tomorrow. Let's also assume the team you coach is basically just as talented as Tufts. What is your gameplan? What is the best way to go at Tufts? Where on the field are you taking chances? What would the best system of play be against Tufts? I would like to know you or any other Jumbo supporters opinion on Tufts weaknesses.

D4Pace I want to see what your made of. Do you have the sack to opine on your former teammates weaknesses for the whole world to see? Or are u worried about what your friends would think. It is a tough situation isn't it? Am I being too harsh? Maybe but again I am "wide of the mark" most of the time. I need to be schooled and corrected so I can get it right next year. Please help me out....

[Brother Flounder]

Just finished watching the Calvin/Tufts pressers and nothing really jumps out at me that is new. I mean you can tell Tufts players love playing for Shapiro as they really respect him. I thought the Calvin Head Coach was obviously disappointed BUT reading between the lines I think he clearly thought Calvin was the better team. He acknowledged that Calvin dominated possession and thought that would determine who won the game. I guess I am a little surprised at his tactics going into the game against Tufts. He probably only had seen Tufts play UR but clearly he should know since they played in 2016 what to expect from Tufts and how to beat them. However, Calvin did not look willing or ready for the physicality of Tufts out of the gates. By the 2nd Half Calvin was matching Tufts physicality but it was to late as they were down 2-0. I also was a bit surprised at how Calvin tried to attack Tufts. They were trying to play wide as they did against Chicago and clearly were attacking the left side of the field BUT they were attacking at the same speed they were attacking Chicago. Chicago just does not defend or hunt the ball like Tufts does. As I said all game Calvin was moving to slow in attack when they were possessing. They dominated possession but Tufts had plenty of time to get set defensively and thwart any dangerous chances. Calvin HAD to play even faster than they were. Get the ball back off a giveaway and ping two quick passes and then get the ball wide to the flanks. Burst down the flank and get service into the box with 4-5 guys waiting. They were not doing that as they took way to long and they started to get frustrated a bit because at about the 30th minute Vetger hit a couple beautiful 40 yard balls long to try to spring their striker but Tufts easily snuffed them out. I guess I am trying to say I am a little surprised at Calvin's Head Coach approach in attack.

.

I think a good sentence here is that the Calvin coach thought his team was better.  If so, that's a mistake.  The announcers kept saying how great Calvin is offensively and kept saying how many goals they scored. I understand why they did this as it's part of broadcasting and they really don't get to see these teams play much. (I think they did an excellent job by the way). Again, this is apples and oranges. Schedules are different, conferences are different, and the numbers of games played are different. Don't get me wrong, Calvin is a great offensive team but people often give statistics too much weight.  When u get in the tourney, less reliance on stats and more scouting, if possible, is probably the way to go...