Seasons in Review

With the seasons over, I'd have to say it has been mixed results for the soccer clubs I follow.

First and foremost, DC United. On the one hand, we were bounced again from the playoffs by Chicago. On the other hand, we played extremely well over the 9-month regular season after a rough start; winning the Supporters Shield yet again. We played some wonderful football, and let me tell you that Luciano Emilio was a revelation. The real deal, and a dangerous striker in every sense of the word. Also let me tell you there is nothing quite like taking in a soccer match at RFK, standing (yes, STANDING! that is the only way to watch the beautiful game!) on the "loud side".

Second, UVA. Though I am actually an old Hokie (Va Tech graduate), Charlottesville being only 80 minutes from my house (as opposed to Blacksburg which is a good 4.5 hours) I go to a few matches in Thomas Jefferson's old stomping grounds. Two main things relegated UVA to an early (for them) exit from the ACCs as well as the NCAAs. One is the failure of Jonathan Villanueva to live up to the hype that preceded him to Charlottesville. His pattern seemed to be to make some flashes on the ball early, then disappear for stretches of the match, then get unceremoniously subbed out around the hour mark. Also contributing to UVA's woes was the late season-ending injury to Yannick Reyering. He was their go-to guy in the box, their goal-getter, and other than Chris Tierney, no one stepped up to fill the void of the goal production.

Later, thoughts on the campaigns of Virginia Tech, as well as the Stanford Womens soccer team.

~ Ron