This year’s Final Four was very enjoyable from a coach’s perspective. The contrasting styles between teams created some interesting match ups. All were very close games that could have gone either way. In the end we saw two very well-coached teams competing in a game that delivered us a new first time champion.

One of the more fun things about the weekend is catching up with old colleagues from my club days at PDA, New Jersey. There is a youth soccer showcase that runs intermittently with the college games, and it usually draws the best of the best. Spending time at the fields through the course of the weekend, the topics range from who the best youth players are at the event to what is going on with the college coaching carousel to the biggest topic: who will win the NCAA championship and why. I have always found it amazing how so many people involved in the same profession could look at the same game and see things so differently. There is no better way to learn and grow as a coach then to take part in these discussions.

From my perspective, the games were very exciting from a tactical standpoint. Knowing a bit about each program from either knowing the coach and/or seeing them play earlier in the year, it was very interesting to concentrate on their game plans. You knew you were going to see the stars come out for UCLA, and they did in the first half of the semifinal, resulting in the classiest half of the event. Between Tina Dimartino’s magic on the dribble, some of the best target play I have seen in college soccer from Lauren Cheney, the versatility of Denesha Adams and the leadership of Val Henderson, it was all UCLA. The only thing more impressive was the resilience of USC. Led by one of the best performances by a goalkeeper (Kristin Olsen) I have ever seen in a Final Four and the solid play of Janessa Currier, the USC back line absorbed countless services and set play efforts in the half, keeping the game with in reach. In the end, USC’s patient and defensive counter-style paid off as they were able to steal the game late and hold on for a spot in the final.

In the second semi, it was the masterful combination play of FSU that made the difference over a stereotypical hard Notre Dame team. If there is any team that can consistently knock teams out of their rhythm, it is the Fighting Irish. The game started very quickly with a brilliant combination in the first 15 seconds that saw Mami Yamaguchi add to her recording breaking season total. As the game wore on, it looked like the Irish were getting the better of play. FSU defended set play after set play and held strong keeping the game knotted at 2-2. With the clock winding down, it was another flash of brilliance as Sanna Talonen neatly slipped a ball behind the Irish defense into the path of a clever run by super frosh, Amanda Decosta, for the game-winner. The remaining minutes of the game saw FSU masterfully kill the game with its possession. Mark Krikorian and the Seminoles were on to their first final.

In the final, you saw a bit slower pace. It looked like both teams had been in battles less then two days ago. Were the legs heavy or was it the coaches’ respect for one another that had their teams playing a more conservative style? I think most will say that the players were tired, but I will choose the latter. Both teams are extremely organized and hard to crack. As I coach, I know I would not want my team being down a goal to either. The game was most likely going to go with the group that scored first. It was USC’s year.

Congrats to all the teams for making it to the show. The way these great coaches run their programs do not be surprised to see them all back a year from now.