Truncated version today before I head to the game.
- UCSB Nickname: Gauchos
- What’s a gaucho: Gaucho is a term commonly used to describe residents of the South American pampas, chacos, or Patagonian grasslands, found principally in parts of Argentina, Uruguay, Southern Chile, and Southern Brazil. In Brazil, Gaúcho is also used to designate people from the state of Rio Grande do Sul in general.The word gaucho could be described as a loose equivalent to the North American “cowboy” … The word “gaucho” is sometimes used to refer to chimichurri, a steak sauce common to Argentina. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)
- UCSB record: 15-6-1
- Creighton record: 19-2-0
- UCSB games outside of California to date: 2
- Current temperature in Santa Barbara: 66 degrees
- Current temperature in Omaha: 32 degrees
- Strengths: The Gauchos have an absolutely blistering attack. Garza, Opuku, and Sarle are as good a trio as anybody in the country. Their midfield is almost as good as ours. Senior midfielder Luis Silva could start for Creighton. UCSB is used to crowds. They played in front of over 11,000 against Cal Poly and average over 4,000 per game at home. HC Tim Vom Steeg knows how to play and win in late season games.
- Weaknesses: It is cold, early, and far from home for these Cali dudes. Their goalkeeping has been suspect and sophomore GK Andre Grandt doesn’t have very much big game experience. Two seniors along the backline have shored things up somewhat but there will be mistakes and Creighton needs to take advantage of them. UCSB has traditionally not been a very disciplined team, and they’ve racked up 36 yellow cards and 2 reds this season (as opposed to Creighton’s 19 & 0). I have my fingers crossed for a couple early cards that will take some of the physicality out of this game. It’s not that Creighton can’t play and win physical games — it’s that UCSB relies on them.
- Fun fact: Senior defender Tim Pontius is the younger brother of DC United’s Chris Pontius, who’s my favorite player on my favorite team.
- My prediction: 2-0 Hilltoppers
- This is UCSB’s home field, Harder Stadium, on an average night. Whoa.
