NASL Podcast Episode #19; Final 2011 Show
Welcome to episode #19 of the IMSoccer News North American Soccer League Podcast, a special NASL Championship edition and the final show of 2011.
The second leg of the NASL Championship was played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and just like last year’s USSF D2 Pro League Puerto Rico Islanders, who came from the last playoff spot to claim the trophy, the 6th place NSC Minnesota Stars snatched the new Soccer Bowl trophy in the inaugural season of the new NASL. The Minnesota side did so by battening down the hatches and “defending like lions” and seeing the second leg out to a 0-0 draw, thereby giving them a 3-1 aggregate championship victory.
Regular co-host Gerry Wittmann was not able to make the podcast this week but regular contributor Jay (Yankiboy) Long, and yours truly, Brian Quarstad, recap the second leg game.
We also have post game comments from the Stars’ head coach Manny Lagos and team captain Kyle Altman.
We also have a very special guest this week in Bruce McGuire of duNord Futbol fame. One of the original American soccer bloggers, McGuire knows his football both American and international. But he comes on this show as the role of Minnesota Stars fan and Dark Cloud supporter and tells of his experience as the a handful of Minnesota fans flew to Fort Lauderdale and witnessed their team claim the D2 professional soccer championship in the U.S.
Bruce also shares with us his tactical analysis of the game and the three of us also discuss the pros and cons of a 2-legged final.
Please join Jay Long and myself as we present to you the last IMSoccer News NASL Podcast for 2011.
You can find all past episodes of the North American Soccer League Podcast here.
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Great work on the podcasts over the past season. It was a great supplement for me and learning more about D2 soccer and the players and coaches I saw while watching the other matches. I know that it is a ton of work. Great job guys.
I think the keep from the Stars winning (like I GUARANTEED) was that they did a better job controlling the speed of play and being more tactical in their decisionmaking on the pitch. For example, in the last match against FC Edmonton, the Stars tried to turn things into a track meet in the first 45 minutes of play. While they did dominate, they came out flat in the second half and got kicked around. Following that match, they seemed to play with more control and did not necessarily try to go 100 mph. I think that paid off in the end, obviosuly.
Regarding the two-leg finals–I love it. I would point out that even if things looks lopsided after the first match, a teams desire to win can make the second game beyond exciting. For example, Seattle Sounders could have given up last night, however, they really made things interesting against RSL by scoring two goals and keeping fans in their seats and glued to the TV for the entire 90+ minutes. (I still cannot figure out why the Strikers played a conservative match. Push numbers of, spread the field, change the point of attack, attack, attack, attack. I am still scratching my head.)
I also did not find the second match in the NASL championship boring. I was at the Sweetwater, and you could feel the tension and excitement throughout the bar. It seems to me that single match championships get too conservative as sometimes teams will settle for a draw in regulation and extra time and have their fate settled in PKs.
I am looking forward to more podcasts. Keep up the great work.
PS: Bruce, do you still want to challenge me for the title of “Super Fan,” now that BQ has given you the title of “Ultimate Fan?”
Just to clarify; while I enjoy being one of the guys, not all the fans in Ft Lauderdale were male, parents/family or wives/girlfriends. I fall into the “none of the above” category. It happens a lot in my life.
@GumbrGrrl: Gotta give you your R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Maximum! 100% Female. 100% All In “FAN”-ATIC, down in the trenches.
Reprezentin’ the home team and the sport.
Definitely one of my personal SHE-roes!!!