If this is a fifth-place team I want to buy the first-place team and open a MLS franchise with 'em. Cooper's got a potential juggernaut here, folks, but he is as sly as Bennett about underselling his charges. They dismantled a good Air Force squad today, 3-1, and the goal they gave up was a giveaway off a busted defensive assignment in the game's opening minutes. The Gaels shut 'em out for 88 of the 90 minutes.

Air Force just came off a 2-0 exhibition win over 11th-ranked New Mexico and was a tough, aggressive bunch. But the Gaels are tougher offensively and defensively, and will get better as the mostly freshmen and sophomores work together more. We'll get a good WCC comparison on Sunday when Air Force goes across the Bay to face USF.