Washington, DC – On a rainy, cool afternoon, AU was able to hold off a fierce WVU 2nd half attack after scoring 2 first half goals to win the game 2-1.

AU and WVU shared dominance with AU taking the first half while WV was much better in the second.

Just a reminder, player identification is sketchy in the spring, because players change numbers.

Starting Lineups:

WVU 4-4-2.

F:  Alex Silva, Declan Coll

M: Ryan Gillespie, Chase Dewese, Gift Maworere, Tuan Doan

D:  Dan Hagey, Jason Bristol, Ruben Garrido, Raymon Gaddis

G: Zach Johnson

AU 4-4-2.

F:  Jack Scott, Mike Worden

M: Cameron Petty, Mark Wysocki (#13 – I think the player identification is incorrect), Colin Zizzi, David Menzie

D: Dor Yasur, Karsten Smith, Jon Freimark, Michael Roberts

G: Matt Makowski

WVU observations:

WVU were pathetic in the first half.  The midfield allowed AU to freely deliver balls behind the WVU defense without pressure.  Additionally, WVU came out in the first assuming that AU would roll-over from a team from the mighty Big East.  They were sadly mistaken.  WV was in disarray after the second goal.  Half time was their salvation.

In the second half, WVU were much better, holding the ball and pressuring AU.  They scored there lone goal in the 81st minute to make the end of the game exciting.

Centerback Ruben Garrido scored the goal acrobatically after a corner kick was bounced around the AU box. Garrido biggest contribution is his ability to read the game and support the other defenders.  I like him a lot.  He might have the best professional opportunities of any player on the field today.

In the first half, Gift Maworere was not shutting down the middle of the field.  He wasn’t helped by Chase Dewese assistance.  Dewese ill-advised dribbling was directly responsible for the second goal.  Losing the ball in the AU half, the goal was 2 quick passes away from the shot.  Dewese sat for the rest of the half after this exhibit.  In the second half, Dewese must have gotten “stern instruction” to release the ball quicker.  He was better until he yelled at his team mate for not running after one of his poor passes.   Cancer.

Many of Maworere passes are East-West which I can appreciate to reset the offense.  But, if he is unwilling to gamble to make the killer pass, his value is reduced.

Rightback Raymon Gaddis has tremendous speed and athleticism, but has unacceptable ball skills and his defending requires too much Garrido recovery.

Zach Johnson was horrific in the first half.  In the half-dozen games that I’ve seen him, the first half was by far his worst.  He looked better in the second.  Perhaps the wet field caused him concern.  If so, he won’t be joining former team mates in England!

Forward Declan Coll has a sweet first touch.  At times, he tries to be too clever settling for flash over substance.

Alex Silva delivers a dangerous corner kick, but was ineffective on free kicks just outside of the box.

AU observations:

AU seems to win their share of games over teams that are more talented.  This is indicative of their desire and their fanatical task master, Todd West.

After dominating the first half, West tried bleeding the clock by making continuous substitutions.  However, this served WVU by never allowing AU to find their rhythm in the second half.

The first goal was scored by Mike Worden in the 22nd minute.  He received a long pass from Colin Zizzi (I think – notes got wet).  Worden’s first touch beat both Jason Bristol and Zach Johnson (who just wandered out there without purpose) to find himself with an open goal.

The second goal was from a terrific strike by Jack Scott in the 28th minute.  After dispossessing Dewese (see above), AU quickly worked the ball out of midfield with the final pass a long ball that was bouncing.  Scott struck the bouncing ball from 25 yards, looping the ball into the upper right corner in a spot that the goal keeper could not reach.  Delightful.

I like Worden’s first touch.  He expertly puts the ball exactly where he wants it.  I like the way that he plays.  He needs to improve his awareness to stay on-side.

Scott is fast, but his touch is normally very ugly.

Many good things happen when Cameron Petty touches the ball.  He is very aware of the field and is pretty good.  I think he may have the potential to be a fringe pro player.  Maybe.

Dor Yasur had a forgettable game.  He would win the ball then promptly turn it over.  He left his football feet in the locker room, today.  Yasur has played better than this.

Goalkeeper Matt Makowski didn’t have too much to do in the first half.  In the second, he enjoyed the bench.