Joe Mauceri has been a soccer junkie since the 1970’s. He was a season ticket holder with the Washington Diplomats for many seasons and then eventually “Team America”. During the dark ages between the end of NASL and the start of MLS, Joe played sweeper at a local community college, graduated from UMBC, got married, started a family, coached soccer teams from recreational U-5 to competitive travel U-17, more seriously followed the USMNT and became interested in following college soccer.
In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, with a young daughter, coaching his daughter, career obligations and the start of MLS and WUSA, he didn’t attend as many college games, as before. Eventually, his daughter’s interests went to other activities, and he decided to stop coaching (after 13 years). This allowed me to start traveling more to watch more USMNT (attended all 2006 WCQ and WC in Germany) and USWNT (2003 WWC). Additionally, I’ve renewed my interest in the college game.
In 2006, I attended 30 college games and I have built up a growing college game tape library. This was the first year that I was systematically organized – my term. It’s too difficult going to so many games to forget your impressions of a player without a process. So, I instituted a very rigorous process for maintaining my notes to perserve my observations.
In 2007, as a reporter for Top Drawer Soccer, I attended 76 college games in the fall with another 31 games on tape. I’ve seen 87 different teams play in 2007. I attended the 2008 MLS Combine (in Ft. Lauderdale) and 2008 MLS Draft (in Baltimore).
In 2008, working with College Soccer News, I attended over 100 games.
I will be working with College Soccer News in 2009.
I still can be found playing soccer several times a week (indoor/outdoor) throughout central Maryland, although I’ve slowed down with age, conditioning and monstrous appetite. Professionally, I manage an IT development group for a fortune 500 company (to pay for my true passions 
).
Mar 26, 2008 at 4:45 am
Joe,
I am very suprised that you are not taking on the New Mexico/Wake Forest or New Mexico/Duke games in April. I would very much like your opinion of Zach Tierney at UNM. I believe he will declare he is leaving after this season. It is highly anticipated he will be a Generation Adidas player. Any thoughts?
Mar 26, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I decided not to travel to NC in the Spring, because I’ve seen WF and Duke numerous times this year and I expect that I’ll see them many more times in the fall.
Seeing NM was tempting, but I saw them twice in Albuquerque last fall and I need to monitor the travel budget in the spring. Besides, I’m thinking about taking another trip out to Albuquerque in the fall (depending upon the timing/other matches/opponents/etc.), because I had a really good time and there was some good soccer.
Last year, I wrote the following about Tierney from the NM tournament against UCSB:
Zach Tierney back from a personal/family issue on Friday’s game was a beast in the back for NM. I would have liked to watch him one more time – it’s just very hard to watch a player in 1 game and assess him with 21 other players, as well. He’s a sophomore, so there’s time. He’s a big guy with a good head.
I haven’t seen him play since then in early September, so my opinion hasn’t changed. I’d be surprised if he’s a GA based upon that one game.
Mar 26, 2008 at 3:16 pm
So you can make a judgement based on one game? I thought I just read that you cannot make a judgement on one game. Why would you be suprised if he is or isn’t GA material, if you really can’t make a judgment based on one game. Who would have ever thought that Chance Meyers would emerge as a number one draft choice? Suprises happen all the time with the MLS I think you would agree. Anyway, you might want to keep an eye on the kid.
Mar 26, 2008 at 5:58 pm
No, it’s “very hard” to make a judgment after one game – not that it can’t be done. Also, I was referring to whether the player could play in MLS. I’d be surprised that he’d be a GA because Tierney wasn’t vastly superior in that one game. Players who have impressed me in just one game, Patrick Nyarko, Roger Espinoza, Eric Avilla, Saidi Isaac, Rhett Bernstein, Stephen King, Michael Parkhurst, Milos Kovic, Sal Zizzo, Bakary Soumare, etc.
There aren’t very many GA every year. If I had to make a list (hmm. interesting idea – thanks), Tierney would be very far down my list based upon what I’ve seen.
I find it funny that you asked for my thoughts and I give them to you, but you are still unsatisfied.
I agree that their are surprises all the time in the MLS.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to catch NM (and UCSB, UCLA, SD). It’d be tremendous to have a 8 team tourney with the winner decided on GD. Think about it – 2 games on Friday, 2 games on Saturday and 4 games on Sunday. That would be a great time.
Mar 27, 2008 at 5:19 am
Not unsatisfied with your answers at all. I just thought you were somewhat inconsistent. On the one hand you said you could not make a judgement based on one viewing of a player, but you made a judgement anyway on GA possibilities for Tierney based on one viewing. That still does not make sense to me. Additionally, vastly superior is in the eyes of the beholder, I suppose. Every coach is looking for different attributes from a player for a particular position. College coaches also have an awful lot to do with who gets what and when they get it. I am predicting that you’ll likely get a suprise regarding this player.
It’s fun nonetheless to speculate, isn’t it?
If we could get a tourney as you suggested in Alb, that would be amazing. I would think it could be very doable.
Apr 17, 2008 at 4:21 pm
You made an error on the game report for Winthrop vs UNCW at the Manchester Cup. You listed Luke Grothe as the player in the game from UNCW. The player is actually Shawn Guderian a freshman who came to UNCW this spring after graduating high school in January.
Apr 17, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Thanks bigmpg – I’ve made the adjustment. In the fall, the SID provides line-ups/rosters, etc. In the spring, it’s a lot more casual.
Thanks for your help on this clarification.
Sep 9, 2008 at 8:17 am
Joe,
I always look forward to reading your match commentary. How in the heck do you take such detailed notes while watching a fast moving quality match. I used to film some matches, but the results were not good…I couldn’t film and follow the match at the same time. Do you have any plans for seeing the Duke vs NIU match in November ?
Sep 11, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Thanks – No1Scoresd.
I have a lot of abbreviations. Also, I have a really good visual memory. With a few notes, I can recreate the picture in my head, but early in the year (or with 4 games in a day), it’s more difficult to concentrate for that long. Again thanks.
I wasn’t planning on going to NC on 11/2, but I may take that under advisement. I was planning on seeing Brown on 11/1 in Philly. I really want to see Brown. Thanks for the reminder.
I think NIU schedule came out later than others.
Sep 12, 2008 at 8:40 pm
NIU is playing very good right now. They have some young players that are going to impress when seen…. 5-6 different players scoring.Freshman Brad Horton,the 2007 Illinois player of the year has 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 matches.The defense is real solid with a couple of new guys in back, most notable 6′5″ Frances Otira and 6′4″ keeper Joe Zimka. Zimka is in a zone right now. Drew Jeskey runs the midfield,,,I think he may be one of the best kept secrets in the country…..a very, very solid mid fielder.Next week will tell a better story after they travel west to play Tulsa and SMU.
Sep 18, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I’m suprised you aren’t planning on going to any UIC (Illinois-Chicago) games this year! They made is to the elite eight last year and returned 8 staters this year. From what I’ve seen of them this year, they are even better than last year. The have several player that could definitely plan at the next level.
Sep 18, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Timing. I tried to work it out, but UIC doesn’t come east and the two times that I’m out in the midwest, it didn’t fit in the schedule.
What’s really disappointing is that I was out in Chicago over Labor Day week-end and my flight was too early for the UIC-Santa Clara match. If I would have known, I would have scheduled a later flight – but changing flights is an added expense that the travel budget just doesn’t permit.
I was at the elite eight game at UMass last year. So, hopefully, the NCAA tourney will send UIC east. Then, I am also hoping that NM, Cal, SMU come east too.
Perfect scenario for me (because it’s all about me), for the NCAA 1st round or 3rd round, Cal @ Loyola (MD) at 2pm, NM @ MD at 7pm, Next day: UIC @ Gtown at 1pm, SMU @ UVA at 730pm.
Yeah, I know seeds/etc. but it’s my scenario!
Sep 23, 2008 at 8:50 am
Joe,
I told you that NIU can play. Or at least I’m pretty sure that SMU thinks so now.The 2nd match against Tulsa was actually the better of the two.Don’t give up on Tulsa, those boys can play the game. NIU had them on the ropes but the younger guys just couldn’t put them away late. Akron at NIU next week should be a good one.Hope to see you on Nov 2 at Duke.
Sep 29, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Given your experience with the college game and the NCAA Tournament specifically, what is the minimum record needed for a mid-major (ie non-major conference team) to get into the NCAA’s as an at-large. I know it depends alot of out of conference scheduling away wins etc etc, but can u give a ballpark record?
Oct 1, 2008 at 7:36 am
Joe,
Having seen Akron play at Indiana earlier in the year. What do you think of them and their play since then…the real deal? I’ve heard differing opinions.Some say over rated, what are your thoughts ?
Oct 2, 2008 at 2:49 pm
soccerky125 – sorry, I don’t have a good barometer to help you. As you stated, there is just too many dependencies to provide any meaningful info. Also, I don’t have time right now to research it, either from a historical perspective.
Oct 2, 2008 at 3:00 pm
No1Scoresd – I haven’t seen Akron since Indiana and Notre Dame. So, there are probably people closer to the scene than I. However, based upon what I saw I was impressed with the foundation that Caleb Porter is building. His attack while young and inconsistent is very dynamic with Bunbury and Zakuani able to score against most teams with Ampaipitakwong a savvy ball handler. Now, he’s building the wide midfield and the backs – Sarkodie is going to be very good. There were a few other players (that I can’t remember their names, that might turn into superlative players).
Saying all of this, the key players to the team are very young and thus they are prone to be wildly inconsistent. Zakuani is very right footed.
I was surprised that Cleveland St took them to OT. The Akron defense is very good and organized. They have not surrendered more than 1 goal. So if Akron can score, they should do ok.
NIU and Oakland are going to be interesting.
Oct 7, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Joe,
I wondered if you will be seeing Brown play again this year. Your biography and passion for the game is so very impressive and it sounds a little like my family and the money we make to spend on watching college games, Euro cups and World Cups. Also, very much appreciated your blog above on players that have impressed you in one game:) Best of luck with the love of the game and maybe see you at the World cup in South Africa where we are originally from but now on the West Coast.
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I plan on seeing Brown at Penn on 11/1.
Thanks for the kind words.
Nov 27, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Joe,
Have you been able to see any of the tourney matches yet.Comments ? Are you going to do any Combine profiling or better yet are you going to be at the combine ?
Thanks
Nov 27, 2008 at 10:23 pm
With the NCAA tournament games essentially occurring at the same time, I’ve only been able to attend 1 game per round.
On Saturday, I’ll get to see Cal against MD. I was considering UCI at SJU, but it’s an additional 8 hours of driving.
On Sunday, I’ll see UIC at UNC.
Next week-end, I’m hoping to catch Creighton @ MD, NW @ UNC & USF @ WF or Creighton @ MD, Mich/Ind @ SJU/UCI @ Mich & UIC @ Akron….
I hoping for 3 games.
I’m scheduled to go to the combine and I’m working on my rankings. But it’ll take a month.
thanks for your interest.
Dec 9, 2008 at 11:11 am
Joe,
I just saw you list of top midfielders on collegesoccernews.com and I didn’t see MF Richard Jata listed as a top prospect. He was just named Player of the Year for the Atlantic Sun Conference. He finished his career with 32 goals and 18 assists(82 points)
He led Campbell University to 3 consecutive wins vs North Carolina (2006-2008) and he scored the game-winning goal in each of the last two. (12 game-winning goals in just 3 seasons at Campbell)
He also led his team in points all 4 years and he’s a center midfielder. You really never see a midfielder lead his team in points.
This year he was 15th in the Nation in goals per Game and 19th in Points per Game. Look at the GPG list and tell me how many other midfielders made it.
He got almost a full ride to Furman as a freshman and he was part of the draft class with Shea Salinas and Jon Leathers. You know how they did last year in the combine. Then he transferred to Campbell for the rest of his college career. He’s got incredible ball skills and he was a starter for the Carolina Dynamo the past two years.
To read more about him take a look at gocamels.blogspot.com
Apr 2, 2009 at 11:15 am
Do you know when the article from you about the Manchester Cup will be posted?
Apr 5, 2009 at 7:37 am
BigMpg – the article on CollegeSoccerNews is posted. Here’s the link.
http://collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page1293.htm
Apr 21, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Joe- as a another hardcore college soccer fan I really enjoy your site. I am from upstate VT so I really do not get to see a lot. I notice that you do not watch ANY d3 games. I am sure that the chances of D3 players going pro are slim. But if I were you I would watch Middlebury vs Williams. I am off this weekend to see Albany vs Hartwick. I saw UVM vs St Mikes and St lawrence. I was actually surprised that Uvm did as well as they did..they lost a ton through graduation. Do you allow other people to send in game / player evaluations?
Aug 31, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Pjstowe –
You right that I don’t generally cover D3, because I want to concentrate on D1 first before expanding to other divisions. However, this year, I want to watch Jon Ports play – so, I’m planning on seeing him again (first time in 2 years).
I’ll send you a separate email – if you’re still interested.
Sep 29, 2009 at 7:13 am
Please keep me infomed! I am very new to this blog idea ( onthe other hand you wrote back to me 4 months after
) I noticed that you are going to Messiah. Might I also suggest a trip to Swarthmore. They are very good. MY email is pjlstowe@hotmail.com. Sadly it does not look like we will be at any of the same games this year.. I am heading to Oakland in Nov. Any soccer viewing suggestions out there?
Oct 5, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Actually, I’m going to York County of Penn to watch a specific player that I’ve been following for 3 years. YCP will be playing Messiah.
If I was in Oakland CA in Nov, I’d go to the following games:
(all times Pacific)
11/6 San Fran @ Santa Clara 8pm FSC
11/7 San Jose St @ Sacramento State 230pm
11/8 St Mary’s @ San Fran 7pm
11/13 SD @ St Mary’s 2pm
11/14 Cal @ Stanford 7pm
11/15 LMU @ St Mary’s 1pm
The second half of the month is a crap shoot with the NCAA tourney. May be able to catch a big west game – but doubtful.
6 games in 9 days, not bad. Please contact me for all your travel arrangements
Joe