Fun with US Pros: Elite Eight, No. 4 Indiana-No. 5 UNC
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MLS News
Tuesday, 31 March 2009 23:55
Back with another March Madness match-up. This time, it's the No. 4 Hoosiers vs. the Tarheels at No. 5. It wasn't surprising to see the amount of depth that came out of UNC, but the Heels certainly exceeded expectations. I never knew Berhalter and Robinson hailed from Chapel Hill.

INDIANA [No. 4]

GK: Jay Nolly (Vancouver)
DR: Drew Moor (FC Dallas)
DC: Danny O'Rourke (Columbus)
DC: Nick Garcia (San Jose)
DL: Chris Klein (Los Angeles)
MR: Josh Tudela (Los Angeles)
MC: Dema Kovalenko (Los Angeles)
MC: Ned Grabavoy (Real Salt Lake)
ML: Lee Nguyen (HAGL)
FW: Jacob Peterson (Colorado)
FW: Pat Noonan (Columbus)

Bench: Josh Tudela (MF - Los Angeles), Kevin Alston (DF - New England), Brad Ring (MF - San Jose), Jed Zayner (DF - Columbus), Brian Plotkin (MF - Carolina)

NORTH CAROLINA [No. 5]

GK: Justin Hughes (unsigned)
DR: Gregg Berhalter (1860 Munich)
DC: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes)
DC: Eddie Robinson (Houston)
DL: Michael Harrington (Kansas City)
MR: Corey Ashe (Houston)
MC: Logan Pause (Chicago)
MC: Carey Talley (Chivas USA)
ML: Dax McCarty (FC Dallas)
FW: Marcus Storey (SV Wilhelmshaven)
FW: Jamie Watson (Wilmington)

Bench: Chris Leitch (DF - San Jose), Caleb Norkus (DF - Carolina), Eric Lichaj (DF - Aston Villa), David Testo (DF/MF - Montreal)

So the UCLA vs. Clemson match-up was a tad lopsided. The Bruins ended up winning handily. The No. 2 vs No. 7 will take place on Saturday. For now, here's a brief breakdown of the No. 4 vs. No. 5:

UNC has a great back four with two long-time American internationals in Bocanegra and Berhalter, but the quality seems to thin out as you get towards the top. Jamie Watson had a long run with Real Salt Lake, but has since had trouble latching on to an MLS squad. Marcus Storey is starting to rev things up in the German fourth division (Regionalliga), but it's hard to believe they can outproduce a forward tandem of Pat Noonan and Colorado's Jacob Peterson. Advantage Indiana.

The Tarheels might have the advantage in the midfield with two young wingers in McCarty and speedster Corey Ashe capable of playing a playmaker role, while vets Pause and Talley hold down center midfield. The Hoosiers have the ultimate ball-winner in Kovalenko and comparable speed in Lee Nguyen, but I like how Dax McCarty runs an offense when given a chance. For a young guy, he has great vision. Advantage UNC.

Back to defense, both sides have strong and even back lines but the UNC's central partnership of Carlos Bocanegra and Eddie Robinson ensure minimal letdowns. To fit their quality, Indiana might have to play out of position in the back, but any MLS squad would take that back four. Advantage UNC.

Indiana might have a slight advantage at keeper, but barely. Jay Nolly has less than 10 games at the MLS level while Hughes was with Colorado up until the end of last season. Nolly, however, will be playing a bit more with Vancouver of USL-1. Advantage Indiana.

So who's it going to be? The Heels or the Hoosiers? My vote—I like a team led by Bocanegra (unless it's Danny Califf next to him). The question is, could the Heels find offense against Indiana? Yep...if Dax McCarty can let loose and Harrington covering the left wing box to box with Ashe speeding around. Carolina, 1-0.

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