(SOC) 2025 Soccer Thread

While I too am disappointed that the improvement in 2023 didn't carry forward into 2024, and while I too am also unsatisfied with the current product on the pitch (especially regarding apparent philosophies on offense, possession, and set pieces), I think a little context and perspective about her hiring is in order.

Remember, the timing of her predecessor's firing was horrible for UF. CSB took the job on very short notice and inherited a team that had just suffered massive roster losses from transfers escaping the previous coach. She had basically zero chance to recruit that first year. 2022 was a lost year, and then there was improvement in 2023.

I can't explain why 2024 regressed. Injuries were part of it, but not all. And, although last night's game was pretty terrible, one must also remember that it is just one game. It's theoretically possible that CSB pulls her team together and they improve throughout 2025, just as they did in 2022 and 2023.

Yes, her team must play much better for the rest of 2025 or her job is in danger. And I suspect she's well aware of that. But, even if it doesn't happen (and I'm hoping it will), I'm still thankful that she was willing to take over a terrible situation and give it her best shot.

 

I understand what you're saying, and I too am now questioning whether she's the answer. I was more referring to their quality of play, rather than league standings. And, I'll also concede that while I'm calling their play improved in 2023, there was still a LOT of room for more improvement.

In 2023, the team was one win away from making the SEC tournament, and had several games earlier in the season (especially against Vandy) where they should've gotten that win and one at the beginning (Mizzou) they shouldn't have lost. At the end of the season, they were playing well enough to win a game or maybe two in the tourney.

Yes, officially, they were 13th. But they were (points-wise and tie-breakers) very close to 9-10th.

We'll see about this year. But, I swear, if they don't figure out how to do something other than blindly boot the ball as far up the field as possible, I'll bring the effigy if you'll bring the torch.

 

UF vs Towson. 2-2 at half. #99 Katie Johnston is the only bright spot.

It's clear that CSB's primary philosophy is that nothing is more important than getting the ball as far away from UF's goal as quickly as possible.

Q: Possession and build up? CSB: Don't care. Q: Not involving the midfielders? CSB: Of course. They're not as far up the field as the forwards. Q: No one able to settle the ball? CSB: Not a desired skill. Doing so would delay getting the ball away from our goal.

It's beyond frustrating.