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Zips in development leagues this summer


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the Fire had 2 regular starters and a bunch of reserved players playing, but it's still embarrassing

Not necessarily all that surprising. A fair number of collegiate players probably are on equal footing with guys who earn a living as reserve team players.

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Not necessarily all that surprising. A fair number of collegiate players probably are on equal footing with guys who earn a living as reserve team players.

I mean, I don't imagine Hunter Jumper is that much better than Chad Barson, but still one of them is a college player and the other isn't. Even if they are reserve team players, they still train regularly with the first team and they get reserve matches. College players have much shorter seasons and aren't playing at as high a level. The talent might not be too different, but it seems like it should be.

If anyone followed the Open Cup action last night, there were a lot of upsets. 14 of the 16 MLS teams played last night and 7 were eliminated by lower competition. Chicago lost to the PDL Bucks, Columbus lost to Dayton Dutch Lion of USL Pro, FC Dallas lost to Charlotte Eagles of USL Pro, Houston lost to the San Antonio Scorpions of NASL, The Carolina Railhawks of NASL beat LA, NE and Harrisburg City Islanders of USL Pro tied at 0, NE went up three in OT, then let three go past, and then lost in PKs. Finally, after paying to have the game moved to their home stadium, Real Salt Lake lost their match to the Minnesota Stars of the NASL. When top tier teams go down to lower competition, it begs the question "why don't they take this tournament seriously?" But then you can't say a team who pays to have the game moved isn't taking it seriously. It's a berth to Champions League, I would think the teams would put forth their best effort.

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Cox Lifts Sounders U23 To WinHand Timbers U-23s first defeat of season with late goal

Saturday, June 2, 2012

TUMWATER, Wash. – The Sounders FC U23 defeated the Portland Timbers U-23s 1-0 in dramatic fashion on Saturday night as a stoppage time by Sounders U23 forward Jamael Cox handed his side victory against their Cascadia rivals. Goalkeeper Doug Herrick stepped up big for the Sounders U-23 to keep Portland off of the board, handing the Timbers U-23s their first defeat of the PDL season.

The rivalry match was played in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 1,300 at Tumwater High School. Supporters from both sides made their way out to cheer on their team. The Sounders looked to be off to a dream start as the ball fell to Aodhan Quinn in the second minute just outside the penalty area. He gathered the ball and rifled a shot on goal, but it wen straight at Portland goalkeeper Spencer Richey.

Shortly after, a long throw-in by Portland into the Sounders U23 penalty area was headed toward for the corner of the goal, but Herrick was able to make his first of what would be many outstanding saves on the day. Sounders U23 came close in the 19th minute when Quinn was able to pick up the ball at midfield and slot a looping pass through the Portland defense to a diagonally-running Fernando Monge, who had a great look at goal but could not beat Richey.

For much of the first half both teams struggled to create chances on goal. In the 26th minute Portland’s Roberto Farfan crossed a free kick into the Sounders U23 penalty area, but the defense stood strong and was able to clear the threat. As the half was winding down Sounders U23 forward Sean Okoli earned a free kick for just outside the right side of the box as he held off two Portland defenders. However, the cross was taken right into the one-man wall and the chance went wasted.

The Sounders U23 had one more chance at goal in the 45th minute as DeAndre Yedlin made a run up the sideline from his right back position to whip a cross into the box where two green jerseys were making a run. The Portland defense held strong and won the ball in the air for the clearance, leaving the game scoreless at the break.

Early in the second half the Timbers U-23 were knocking on the door as a free kick was given in the 48th minute just outside the Sounders U23 penalty area in the center of the field. The five-man wall stood tall as the kick was taken directly into it, and then cleared out of danger.

The Sounders U23 went the other way with the ball down the right sideline, and after some great close-quarters one-two passing between the Sounders U23 midfielders, Monge was sprung into the penalty area with a look at goal. He hit his shot which prompted a diving effort from Richey, but sailed just over and wide of the target.

For most of the rest of the game the Sounders U23 survived several good attacking chances by the Timbers U-23s. In the 52nd minute the ball was picked up at the top of the box by Portland forward Erik Hurtado, who was able to beat his defender and send a shot toward goal. Herrick came up with a huge save getting just enough of the ball to send it wide of the post. Herrick came up big again for his team in the 57th minute as he came racing out of his goal to punch away a Portland corner with authority.

The attacks on the Sounders U23 goal kept coming in the 72nd minute as Hurtado broke loose behind the defense and tested Herrick again, but again the Sounders goalkeeper was up to the challenge and knocked the shot wide. The last great chance for Portland came in the 87th minute as a good through-ball raced through the Sounders U23 defense to Mark Sherrod, who wound up to strike the ball on goal. Sounders U23 defender Anthony Arena slid in and knocked the ball away just in time for a goal-saving tackle.

With the game still knotted at 0-0 entering stoppage time, it looked as though the teams were headed for a scoreless draw. Then, Sounders U23 forward Facundo Dipasquale was able to bring down a long kick from Herrick and slide it past the Portland defense to a streaking Cox, who rocketed a shot past the Richey for the deciding goal.

The win puts the Sounders U23s in a tie for second with the Kitsap Pumas in the PDL Northwest Division standings with 12 points. The Portland Timbers U-23s remain in first place with 15 points. The Sounders U23 are back on the field Friday June 8th, when they host the Washington Crossfire at 7:30 p.m. at Franklin Pierce High School. Tickets will be available at the gate, and also at SoundersU23.com.

Looking at the picture embedded in the article, DeAndre is maintaining his look from the Spring. :)

SoundersU23-Portland0602.jpg

Edit: Catching the Sounders and Whitecaps Reserves was great, but I wish I had been in Seattle one more night to have seen Aodhan and DeAndre with the Sounders U23s. Oh well, Zips Soccer season will be here before we know it. It's great to see our guys celebrating together in that picture. GO ZIPS!

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Bucks Open Cup Run Ends with Penalty Kick in OvertimePDL team dominates but can’t finish off Lions

Pontiac, MI (June 5, 2012)- The Michigan Bucks run towards Open Cup history ended Tuesday night when the home team was defeated by the Dayton Dutch Lions (D3 Pro) 2-1 on an overtime penalty kick. The fourth round win for Dayton puts them into the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup where they will travel to Kansas City on Tuesday, June 26 to play Sporting KC of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Bucks came out a bit shaky defensively in the opening minutes but quickly settled into their aggressive tempo much to the delight of the rowdy crowd of over 1,100 fans at Oakland University. Lions forward Eli Garner created several early runs that had the Bucks back line on their heels before he finally opened the game’s scoring. While colliding with a Bucks defender at the top of the eighteen, the ball fell to his feet with only Bucks keeper Adam Grinwas to beat, and he calmly chipped him for a 1-0 Dayton lead in the 12th minute. The goal served as a wake up call to the Bucks, who proceeded to take control of the game offensively with continuous pressure from Tom Catalano and Nermin Crnkic. In between offensive counter attacks by the lower division PDL side, Grinwis came up with two big saves to keep the lead at 1-0 into halftime.

Bucks coach Gary Parsons’ game plan was working fairly well into the second half, when injuries caused the Bucks some real problems. The US Open Cup operates under FIFA rules, where each team is only allowed three substitutes for the game. “We expected a long night and a very physical battle. The plan was to go into half time tied or close, if we didn’t have a lead and then make the offensive substitutions that would change the game. With Simon (Omekanda) and Stew (Givens) having to come out to injury, we were never able to bring on Kenny (Uzoigwe) or Stefan (St. Louis) to finish off the scoring. Kenny would have been the difference maker in the second half and over time, but we didn’t have the ability to sub him in,” concluded Parsons.

Parsons first sub of the game was replacing forward Steve Miller with Anthony Grant at halftime. Grant has played in two PDL games this year and has scored two goals in each, so the young Jamaican from Bowling GreenUniversity was ready for the call. In the 55th minute, Grant would beat his defender to the ball at the penalty spot, leave him on the ground and struck side netting when he buried his shot past Dayton keeper Matt Williams to knot the score at 1-1.

Two minutes later Givens would pull up with a hamstring injury that would force Parsons to use a valuable sub in the back line. Joey Dillon was called on to finish the game at right back. In the 72nd minute Omekanda pulled up lame and had to be replaced by Zach Steinberger, who added instant life to Catalano and Crnkic, who were relentless all night long. With the Bucks lineup complete for the evening, the home side knew they needed a goal in regulation to insure they would not have to play down a man if another injury occurred. The Bucks dominated from the time Steinberger entered the game and he created three spectacular chances, hitting the post on one and sending a cross through the box that only needed to find a body part to be the game winner, but somehow eluded three Michigan players at the six yard line.

The Bucks bombarded Williams’ goal with 22 shots on the night (to Dayton’s 8) forcing the goal keeper to make several key saves. The Bucks had several opportunities to score in the waning moments of regulation time, but the ball would not find the back of the net. In overtime, it was much of the same as the younger side continued to press. Kevin Cope had two headers just creep over the bar on successive corner kicks while midfielder Scott Caldwell and defender Chad Barson continued to pick up Lion turnovers and start the counter attack looking for the winning goal.

In the 7th minute of the 30 minute over time period, Dillon was isolated on his Lions attacker just inside the penalty box when he awkwardly challenged for the ball. The Lions player went down and referee Kevin Terry Jr. pointed to the spot, much to the dismay of the Bucks bench and the partisan crowd. Michigan native Joel Delass slipped his PK inside the post just past the outstretched arm of Grinwas who guessed the right way but was a few inches short. The Bucks went back to the offensive attack and threw everyone forward for the remaining 23 minutes and created a couple of free kicks that would also just miss the mark.

“This is a funny game,” said Parsons. “Sometimes you can dominate but just not finish. So far this year we have not really had this problem so you hate to see it crop up in a game of this magnitude; but it does happen. My heart goes out to these boys. They have played three professional teams on three consecutive Tuesdays and have taken all three to the 90th minute plus and came away two wins in the three tries. We knew we needed to get this done inside of 90 minutes because I was afraid we just wouldn’t have the legs to go on. Our schedule since we started the season three weeks ago has been absolutely brutal and isn’t going to get any easier.”

Parsons was referring to the four US Open Cup matches since May 15 and the five league matches the Bucks will play, including the match at Toronto on Thursday and against Chicago on Saturday. Michigan will have to rely on its depth to get through the rough stretch which will have the team playing nine games in just over three weeks to start off the 2012 campaign. The team is currently 3-0 in league play and finish this year’s Open Cup run with a record of 3-1.

Bucks Chairman/ CEO Dan Duggan was disappointed with the outcome but pleased with the great crowd, the recent support of the team and his players’ efforts the past three weeks. “Yes we do live for the Open Cup opportunity and this year we took advantage of it by hosting three games in four weeks. That being said, I think US Soccer has learned a couple of things about our success. First, you can’t have Open Cup games on four consecutive Tuesday nights in May and early June. It is not good for the players with the combined league schedule and it certainly is impossible to sell tickets in six days week after week. To have the youth clubs in the area cancel practice the past two Tuesday’s and encourage their kids to attend these high level matches was the fundamental reason why we had the success that we did. We feel like we pushed everyone and used a ton of favors to get people to the matches. With the fee structure that US Soccer is operating under now, a hosting team has to sell at least 2,000 tickets or they will lose money on the event. This will have a negative effect which will keep some teams from bidding or wanting to host in the future. I suspect there will be some changes to next year’s tournament, but all in all I am happy with most of the modifications they did put in this year and I do like have the tournament concluding in early August. We just need a couple of weeks between each round to catch our breath, play our regular season schedule and if we host, have time to properly promote the match so everyone can make it to the event.”

After returning from Toronto on Thursday night, the Bucks will host the Fire at CatholicCentralHigh School in Novi on Saturday. Kick off is 7:30 PM and tickets can be purchased in advance for only $5 by visiting the Bucks web site at www.buckssoccer.com and clicking on the TICKETS link. Tickets at the gate will be $10 Adults and $7 Students (5 and under are free to Bucks games). The Bucks and Fire are two of the top PDL teams each year and are the teams who have sent the most players on to MLS. Last year the Fire had eleven players selected in the MLS draft and the Bucks had five so fans will once again get to see tomorrow’s MLS stars today by coming out and supporting the Bucks as they try to hold on to first place in the Great Lakes Division.

The article doesn't say it, but I know Chad Barson and Scott Caldwell have been a big part of the Bucks' success. The both played the full 120 minutes against Dayton. This had to be some great experience gained by playing against MLS players in the US Open Cup. I hope to get up to Detroit on a weekend this summer to see Chad and Scott with the Bucks, but I think there's only 3 remaining weekend games at "home" (this Saturday, which I can't make and 2 in July).

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Anthony Grant could cause the Zips a lot of problems.

"Grant, a forward, comes to BGSU after spending a year at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill. Last season, he set school records with 23 goals and 53 points as McKendree broke the program record for wins. The Bearcats went 17-1-0 on the season. Grant’s total of 23 goals included a whopping nine game-winning goals. He had three hat tricks and five other games with two goals, and scored at least one point in 15 of the team’s 18 matches. Grant scored a team-high 17 goals in his final at his high school, Jamaica College."

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http://www.sounderatheart.com/2012/6/2/305...ong-hgp-chances

It's nice to see DeAndre mentioned in this article:

But the big winner among the starters is Aaron Kovar. If I can be bold enough to declare a top tier for possible HomeGrown Player signings it would include current Sounders U23 players like Sean Okoli, Deandre Yedlin and Nick Palodichuk. Those three were part of last year's strong U18 run, have selections to national teams, are at top schools and are on short lists of top freshmen of 2011's college season. Kovar belongs in that conversation and maybe at the top.

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Scott Caldwell scored the lone goal around 9 minutes into the match to get the win for the Michigan Bucks 1-0 vs London (Ontario) Friday night. Many thanks to Scott and Chad Barson, who both played the full 90 minutes, for making my 6 hour round-trip drive well worth it by getting the score and chatting with me following the match. It was a little different to see Chad playing mid field, but good effort as always.

http://www.buckssoccer.com/scripts/runisa..../+72011+2883704

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Interesting take on the develop of soccer in America. Toting the Old Ball 'N' Chain: Player Development in America

I was also surprised to see who the author of this piece was too. I actually met John in Nashville back in March and got into an in depth conversation exactly about the things mentioned and a few of the Zips players who were mentioned in this article.

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Interesting take on the develop of soccer in America. Toting the Old Ball 'N' Chain: Player Development in America

I was also surprised to see who the author of this piece was too. I actually met John in Nashville back in March and got into an in depth conversation exactly about the things mentioned and a few of the Zips players who were mentioned in this article.

I understand why some want to mimic the European system, but collegiate sports is too big in the US. How many college players make it to the MLS every year? around 40 to 50? A very tiny percentage. How many academy players make it to the MLS? A very tiny percentage.

The NASL and USL-Pro do not pay enough, a college degree is so important for U20 American soccer players.

If the youth system is going to improve, it's going to require college and PDL/NSPL to get better. A talented U20 player has college for Fall and Spring, and the PDL/NPSL for summer. If they want to play year round, they could always play indoor soccer during the winter.

2nd league in UK - Championship players earn an average salary of £195,750 ($303,412),

3rd league in UK - League One players £67,850 ($105,167)

4th league in UK - League Two £49,600 ($76,880).

2nd league in US - NASL $16,000 to $25,000

3rd league in US - USL Pro $10,000 to $20,000

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Thomas Schmitt scores the equalizer and Andrian McAdams played in goal for AFC Cleveland. Bryan Gallego was also picked up by AFC Cleveland and played a full 90. 1-1 Draw - Final

AFC Cleveland plays their last two matches at Broadview Heights High School this Friday, June 29th against Erie and July 6th against FC Buffalo. Obviously closer than driving up to Parma if you're in the Akron area. It would be great to get some Akron Zips support in attendance.

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Thomas Schmitt scores the equalizer and Andrian McAdams played in goal for AFC Cleveland. Bryan Gallego was also picked up by AFC Cleveland and played a full 90. 1-1 Draw - Final

AFC Cleveland plays their last two matches at Broadview Heights High School this Friday, June 29th against Erie and July 6th against FC Buffalo. Obviously closer than driving up to Parma if you're in the Akron area. It would be great to get some Akron Zips support in attendance.

Thanks for posting that. For me, either Brecksville-Broadview Hts High School or Parma is as close. I'm happy to see Andrian played at GK, and look forward to supporting him, Thomas, and Bryan. I noticed from one of your links that David Murrow (transferring to Cincy) is also playing for AFC Cleveland. I look forward to supporting him as well.

http://www.afccleveland.com/news/afc_cleve...th_detroit.html

rust_belt_winner_slide.jpg

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Seattle Sounders U23 4-3 over Portland Timbers U-23

... Instead of the Timbers taking the lead, the Sounders were presented a golden opportunity to take a 3-2 lead in the 67th minute. A long shot was blocked by goalkeeper, Spencer Richey in the Portland goal. His save was parried back toward Luis Esteves in front of goal. When Esteves lept to head the ball, he was pushed in the back and knocked off balance. His header went off frame, but immediately the referee pointed to the spot for a Sounders penalty kick.

Aodhan Quinn stepped up and put his left footed shot into the bottom right corner to put the Sounders up 3-2. ...

Maybe Aodhan will take some of our PK's this Fall.

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Sounders U-23 Weekend Preview (FRI/SUN)

... In their first meeting with the SeaWolves FC, the Sounders U-23 took care of business for the 3-0 win at home. Three first half goals by Sean Morris, Aodhan Quinn, and Sean Okoli were too many for the SeaWolves to overcome. ...

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AFC Cleveland 1-1 Draw with Erie

The Akron connection proved valuable for Cleveland yet again as three Zips starred for AFC. Andrian McAdams put another solid performance in goal, while Bryan Gallego anchored the backline. Thomas Schmitt was probably the most dangerous attacker on the field as he tested Erie’s defense again and again.

Gallego and McAdams looked solid and calm in the back tonight. Schmitt looked frustrated up top trying to find space, but kept working for 90 minutes. AFC Cleveland is in third place behind Erie and Detroit with two matches left. The final home match against FC Buffalo is Friday, July 6th. I'm going to try and make it to this match too.

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AFC Cleveland 1-1 Draw with Erie

The Akron connection proved valuable for Cleveland yet again as three Zips starred for AFC. Andrian McAdams put another solid performance in goal, while Bryan Gallego anchored the backline. Thomas Schmitt was probably the most dangerous attacker on the field as he tested Erie’s defense again and again.

Gallego and McAdams looked solid and calm in the back tonight. Schmitt looked frustrated up top trying to find space, but kept working for 90 minutes. AFC Cleveland is in third place behind Erie and Detroit with two matches left. The final home match against FC Buffalo is Friday, July 6th. I'm going to try and make it to this match too.

Thomas should have been awarded a PK near the end of the match for the take down by the 2 Erie defenders in the box. I also didn't understand the PK awarded to Erie. I don't think Gallego took down the Erie player, nor did I understand going back and awarding the PK after the continuation was allowed which resulted in an offside. How can a ref allow play to continue, then go back and award a PK because the continuation (or advantage, or whatever it's called) didn't work out?!

BTW, did anyone happen to catch the glimpse of Schmitty's Mom and Dad on Channel 19 near the beginning of the 10 pm broadcast when they were showing the thunderstorms and their effect on events around the area? Thomas' Mom was holding an Akron Zips umbrella, and his dad was talking with him prior to the match while waiting through the weather delay. Thomas was hidden by the umbrellas.

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Sounders U23 Defeat SeaWolvesRemain in playoff position with dominant performance

The second half brought three more goals: a 53rd-minute penalty kick by Aodhan Quinn; an 84th-minute goal by Darwin Jones; and a goal one minute later by Esteban Potenciano.

NorthSound-Sounders0630.jpg

Another write-up: Sounders U-23 5 - 0 N.S. SeaWolves (RECAP)

As play continued in the 12th minute, a long through ball out of the back found Sean Okoli behind the SeaWolves defense. SeaWolves keeper, Claudio Lazar, raced out of the goal to meet Okoli, but he was able to touch the ball past Lazar into the box. Okoli raced to gather the ball on the end line and dropped a ball to an open Aodhan Quinn, but he miss timed his shot, which sailed over the bar for a goal kick.

Then in the 19th minute a long throw into the box was collected by Aodhan Quinn. He used his chest to carry to ball forward a couple of paces and past his marker. As the ball dropped toward the turf, he hit a left footed volley with pace on goal, but Lazar was there to knock the ball over the goal.

As the second half got under way the SeaWolves came out with some fight. A couple of attacking runs from Aman gave the Sounders U-23 defense some trouble, but in the 53rd minute, the Sounders U-23 put a third goal on the board. Quinn was fouled in the box after beating his man with a cheeky step over and the ref awarded the penalty. Quinn hit the shot with power with his left foot and found the right corner of the net.

Only a minute later, Quinn broke loose in the box again and tried to chip the surging SeaWolves keeper, but his attempt skipped just wide of the mark.

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Thomas should have been awarded a PK near the end of the match for the take down by the 2 Erie defenders in the box. I also didn't understand the PK awarded to Erie. I don't think Gallego took down the Erie player, nor did I understand going back and awarding the PK after the continuation was allowed which resulted in an offside. How can a ref allow play to continue, then go back and award a PK because the continuation (or advantage, or whatever it's called) didn't work out?!

BTW, did anyone happen to catch the glimpse of Schmitty's Mom and Dad on Channel 19 near the beginning of the 10 pm broadcast when they were showing the thunderstorms and their effect on events around the area? Thomas' Mom was holding an Akron Zips umbrella, and his dad was talking with him prior to the match while waiting through the weather delay. Thomas was hidden by the umbrellas.

I agree a foul should've been awarded in the box to Thomas, but it doesn't surprise me it didn't get called by the way the referee was performing. I didn't get a good look at what happened on the other PK. We see a goal, followed up by a 5 minute discussion with the line judge, and ending in a PK. I have no idea what was going on. In the end, I thought the referee was quite horrible and had no control of the game.

What did you think of the match? Personally, it wasn't as good as the previous one I attended. The referee didn't help either. It seemed against Erie, AFC played to many long balls. Wish they'd keep the ball on the ground more. Maybe it was the opponent because in the last game I attended, I don't recall so many long balls and knocking it forward. I don't think that fits into Thomas game, unless you're playing him a long through ball to chase and beat the defender or having him make runs off the other forward after winning the ball in the air, but I didn't see much of that last night. Also in the previous match the kid up front with Thomas in the first half, Vinny Bell was a beast. He just looked out of form and not fit last night. I'll definitely be going back this Friday. I did enjoy watching the Zips in a different system and with different players to see how they react in situations.

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What did you think of the match? Personally, it wasn't as good as the previous one I attended. The referee didn't help either. It seemed against Erie, AFC played to many long balls. Wish they'd keep the ball on the ground more. Maybe it was the opponent because in the last game I attended, I don't recall so many long balls and knocking it forward. I don't think that fits into Thomas game, unless you're playing him a long through ball to chase and beat the defender or having him make runs off the other forward after winning the ball in the air, but I didn't see much of that last night. Also in the previous match the kid up front with Thomas in the first half, Vinny Bell was a beast. He just looked out of form and not fit last night. I'll definitely be going back this Friday. I did enjoy watching the Zips in a different system and with different players to see how they react in situations.

I agree too many balls in the air. The other match I attended was against Detroit at Byers Field, and AFC Cleveland seemed to control the ball more that night. Last night, I felt Erie was on the attack more than AFC Cleveland. I'll also be there next Friday. If I didn't already have other plans, I'd consider driving to Erie next Saturday. It's great seeing our Zips in different situations. I'm glad Bryan Gallego joined AFC Cleveland, and that we got to see Andrian play GK. It was great seeing Andrian, Bryan, Thomas and David (Murrow who's transferring to Cincy) on the field together after David was subbed late in the 2nd half. I'm getting my sports fix from my Zips while awaiting Fall.

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Bucks Extinguish Fire 2-0, Dampen Chicago Playoff HopeUnbeaten streak goes to twelve for division leaders

...In a game delayed sixty minutes due to weather, both teams came out ready to play and moved the ball up and down the field at will. Chicago had the better of the first half chances out shooting the visitors 7-4 in the first half and had a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. The Bucks defense was solid on Sunday as it has been all season long led by center backs Kevin Cope and Seb Harris, who dominated the game in the air. The Bucks did have several first half chances that were all created on counter attacking through the midfield between Scott Caldwell, Nermin Crnkic and Tom Catalano. The three worked well together and played several balls into the area for forward Anthony Grant, who would have two great first half opportunities saved by Fire keeper David Meves and another sure goal rejected by the near goal post. The Bucks were content to go to the half scoreless, where head coach Gary Parsons made the necessary adjustments to the offensive plan.

The Bucks wasted no time in the second half in putting the Fire under constant pressure and would finally break the scoreless draw in the 51st minute when Man of the Match Crnkic would steal a ball at midfield, take on two defenders before slotting a perfect pass into the path of Grant, who first timed his shot past Meves for a 1-0 lead. Grant’s goal would be his team leading sixth of the season; but that would be matched just two minutes later. Crnkic took a neatly played ball from Nate Boyden on the left flank, beat two men as he cut across the middle of the penalty area and ripped a twelve yard shot into the side netting for a 2-0 lead and his sixth tally on the season to match Grant for the team lead. The Bucks would continue to pound at the Fire goal for the next ten minutes but could not get the third goal past Meves....

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Yedlin to Quinn! Game winner!

Sounders U23 1-0 WA Crossfire (RECAP)

Redmond, WA - The Sounders U-23 got a late game winner from Aodhan Quinn to take a 1-0 victory over the Washington Crossfire.

The match was a back and fourth game that was physical in nature. The Sounders U-23 had opportunities early but were unable to find the back of the net.

In the second half the Sounders controlled possession and had a few great chances inside the Crossfire 18 yard box before Aodhan Quinn finally buried a goal off a DeAndre Yedlin pass in the 88th minute.

The Sounders then held on in stoppage time as Crossfire pressed but were unable to equalize.

cropped%20vs%20crossfire.jpg

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Yedlin to Quinn! Game winner!

Sounders U23 1-0 WA Crossfire (RECAP)

Redmond, WA - The Sounders U-23 got a late game winner from Aodhan Quinn to take a 1-0 victory over the Washington Crossfire.

The match was a back and fourth game that was physical in nature. The Sounders U-23 had opportunities early but were unable to find the back of the net.

In the second half the Sounders controlled possession and had a few great chances inside the Crossfire 18 yard box before Aodhan Quinn finally buried a goal off a DeAndre Yedlin pass in the 88th minute.

The Sounders then held on in stoppage time as Crossfire pressed but were unable to equalize.

cropped%20vs%20crossfire.jpg

Me thinks we may hear this call again in 2012!

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