[Viking_Guy]

Just to complete my venting about the NCAA bracket:

http://www.nscaatv.com/rankings/3994/NCA...men/Poll12

This actually looks a bit more like the NCAA's seeding, except for two obvious differences:  the #1 team is seeded #6, and the #3 seed on whose home field we would have to play if seeds hold...  is ranked #13.

Oh, and 5 of 6 Pac-12 schools end up ranked in the final poll, with Oregon State riding their win over Washington to #25.

Just for fun, I did a little math exercise, comparing each of the soccer bracket's regions to the seeded teams' RPI rankings.  In a congruent alignment, the total of the RPI rankings should be roughly equivalent to the sum of the seeds = 34 (1+8+9+16, 2+7+10+15...)

In this soccer bracket:
1 Notre Dame, 16 Virginia, 8 Georgetown, 9 Syracuse - RPI Sum: 35
2 UCLA, 7 Clemson, 10 Charlotte, 15 C.al - RPI Sum: 35

Can you guess what's coming?

3 Michigan State, 6 Stanford, 11 Providence, 14 Washington - RPI Sum: TWENTY-ONE
4 Maryland, 5 Indiana, 12 Creighton, 13 Louisville - RPI Sum: 46

Hoping there may be some more conversation about competitive balance vs. cost considerations, in light of this and the women's bracket (i.e. #13 Depaul at #11 Wisconsin in the first round).

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Just to complete my venting about the NCAA bracket:

http://www.nscaatv.com/rankings/3994/NCA...men/Poll12

This actually looks a bit more like the NCAA's seeding, except for two obvious differences:  the #1 team is seeded #6, and the #3 seed on whose home field we would have to play if seeds hold...  is ranked #13.

Oh, and 5 of 6 Pac-12 schools end up ranked in the final poll, with Oregon State riding their win over Washington to #25.

Just for fun, I did a little math exercise, comparing each of the soccer bracket's regions to the seeded teams' RPI rankings.  In a congruent alignment, the total of the RPI rankings should be roughly equivalent to the sum of the seeds = 34 (1+8+9+16, 2+7+10+15...)

In this soccer bracket:
1 Notre Dame, 16 Virginia, 8 Georgetown, 9 Syracuse - RPI Sum: 35
2 UCLA, 7 Clemson, 10 Charlotte, 15 C.al - RPI Sum: 35

Can you guess what's coming?

3 Michigan State, 6 Stanford, 11 Providence, 14 Washington - RPI Sum: TWENTY-ONE
4 Maryland, 5 Indiana, 12 Creighton, 13 Louisville - RPI Sum: 46

Hoping there may be some more conversation about competitive balance vs. cost considerations, in light of this and the women's bracket (i.e. #13 Depaul at #11 Wisconsin in the first round).

VG

[CTcard]

Do you have any evidence that the RPI is a good power measure for men's soccer?

Overall, it is a pretty poor substitute for a power rating. Among other things, it is more a measure of strength of schedule (75%) than strength of the team.

For baseball, there are significant regional biases built into the RPI, due to the fact that it is only doubly connected and play remains decidedly regional in baseball. Boyd Nation has done a substantial analysis of this effect.

For soccer, I don't know.

Regardless, it certainly appears that Stanford was not seeded appropriately.

[CTcard]

Do you have any evidence that the RPI is a good power measure for men's soccer?

Overall, it is a pretty poor substitute for a power rating. Among other things, it is more a measure of strength of schedule (75%) than strength of the team.

For baseball, there are significant regional biases built into the RPI, due to the fact that it is only doubly connected and play remains decidedly regional in baseball. Boyd Nation has done a substantial analysis of this effect.

For soccer, I don't know.

Regardless, it certainly appears that Stanford was not seeded appropriately.

[Viking_Guy]

CTCard--

Just using it as an approximator, as one most people are familiar with.  There's also ARPI, and various independent rating systems, that give similar results, though not as many for men's and women's soccer as for other sports.  BennettRank, for example, has Stanford #1, Maryland #10 and Michigan State #18.  Massey has Stanford 1, Maryland 11 and MSU 13. 

The interesting thing is that the TEAMS chosen to be seeded are pretty much exactly in line with the RPI.  As were the at-large bids.  So there's the strong intimation that the selection committee is using the RPI extensively.  But the actual seeds and matchups aren't close.  And mostly to the benefit of the B1G.

I know, just grousing.  Tuesdays are a slow sports day :).

VG

[Viking_Guy]

CTCard--

Just using it as an approximator, as one most people are familiar with.  There's also ARPI, and various independent rating systems, that give similar results, though not as many for men's and women's soccer as for other sports.  BennettRank, for example, has Stanford #1, Maryland #10 and Michigan State #18.  Massey has Stanford 1, Maryland 11 and MSU 13. 

The interesting thing is that the TEAMS chosen to be seeded are pretty much exactly in line with the RPI.  As were the at-large bids.  So there's the strong intimation that the selection committee is using the RPI extensively.  But the actual seeds and matchups aren't close.  And mostly to the benefit of the B1G.

I know, just grousing.  Tuesdays are a slow sports day :).

VG

[Viking_Guy]

One further (if not so great) update:

Jordan Morris did get his first cap for the U.S. MNT today, entering as a sub with the U.S. down 2-1 against Ireland and replacing a struggling Tim Chandler.

Unfortunately, the Americans gave up two more late goals and lost 4-1.  Morris had nothing to do with either goal, and did show a bit of enterprise, but they had him playing a wide left midfield, and Ireland tortured the U.S. up the opposite sideline.  The U.S. backline was also just opened up way too easily.

Well, at least he got on the pitch.  Of course, that does up the probability that he's done after this season as well.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

One further (if not so great) update:

Jordan Morris did get his first cap for the U.S. MNT today, entering as a sub with the U.S. down 2-1 against Ireland and replacing a struggling Tim Chandler.

Unfortunately, the Americans gave up two more late goals and lost 4-1.  Morris had nothing to do with either goal, and did show a bit of enterprise, but they had him playing a wide left midfield, and Ireland tortured the U.S. up the opposite sideline.  The U.S. backline was also just opened up way too easily.

Well, at least he got on the pitch.  Of course, that does up the probability that he's done after this season as well.

VG

[Leftcoast]

Here's a short article covering Morris' Irish debut and pending decision.  My take away is that Morris is saying the sort of things NCAA basketball tournament players say when they are preparing to move on - praising the higher level of competition, postponing the final decision and focusing on supporting their team in the tournament.

In the leadup to the Ireland match, Klinsmann spoke about the impending career decision facing Morris. Does he continue on in college? Does he join the Sounders full-time? Does he take up a European option?

While there should be no shortage of offers for him to consider following his first senior appearance, Morris remains undecided about his future.

“I’m just trying to focus on the college season, just because I have a commitment there with my team, and I just want to have complete focus on that. Then after the season, I’ll make a decision,” Morris said.

http://m.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014...-debut-und

[Leftcoast]

Here's a short article covering Morris' Irish debut and pending decision.  My take away is that Morris is saying the sort of things NCAA basketball tournament players say when they are preparing to move on - praising the higher level of competition, postponing the final decision and focusing on supporting their team in the tournament.

In the leadup to the Ireland match, Klinsmann spoke about the impending career decision facing Morris. Does he continue on in college? Does he join the Sounders full-time? Does he take up a European option?

While there should be no shortage of offers for him to consider following his first senior appearance, Morris remains undecided about his future.

“I’m just trying to focus on the college season, just because I have a commitment there with my team, and I just want to have complete focus on that. Then after the season, I’ll make a decision,” Morris said.

http://m.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014...-debut-und

[washingtonismoney]

Apropos of nothing, but Klinsmann's an idiot.

EDIT: in an effort to make it more apropos, I think it's utterly bizarre that Morris has been called up -- like at all. Morris is a really good pro prospect and a really good player. Is he so dominant or does he have so much potential that he demanded a call-up? No, not really. He should've been at Stanford this whole time. Hopefully he's level-headed and doesn't let this windfall go to his head, because I don't understand the thought process that led to the call-up at all.

[washingtonismoney]

Apropos of nothing, but Klinsmann's an idiot.

EDIT: in an effort to make it more apropos, I think it's utterly bizarre that Morris has been called up -- like at all. Morris is a really good pro prospect and a really good player. Is he so dominant or does he have so much potential that he demanded a call-up? No, not really. He should've been at Stanford this whole time. Hopefully he's level-headed and doesn't let this windfall go to his head, because I don't understand the thought process that led to the call-up at all.