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Much different experience this time than 2010. 2010 I agonized over every minute because just once I wanted to see Akron athletics accomplish something really special and didn't know if we'd ever be at that point again. Would have loved to see a second star Sunday of course but not the same kind of agony. I fully believe this program will be entrenched for years to come. I even hedged my bet - I brought my daughter who is a University of Maryland graduate so one of us was going to be happy at the end darn it. :-)

Thanks 72 Roo!!! The Athletic Dept did an outstanding job with this College Cup. The pre-game parties at the Beachside restaurant were outstanding and they also held a soccer alumni dinner on Saturday evening during which we watched Darlington Nagbe and Zarek Valentin in the MLS Cup. Interim President Green and his wife were in attendance. George Van Horne asked everyone in attendance to stand up and talk about their connection to Akron Men's Soccer. Great stories. Speaking of the UCSB folks, we had a number of UCSB alumni sit in our section. Told us we were the team to support! Truly, Soccer Heaven! I have to reiterate your statement that Jared deserves National Coach of the Year. As you said, "he replaced 7 out of 11 starters and at the beginning of the season it was 9 out of 11 due to injuries." If I recall correctly, in August the 2018 Zips had 19 of 32 players who were not Zips in 2017 and he and staff took this team to the National Championship Game!

I saved my first Zips away game for this Final 4. What an amazing trip and Santa Barbara is an awesome place. On the games, I believe we got what we deserved with unfortunately was 2nd place. On Friday, Zips were incredible. From defense to attack, each player played their part. It was great to see 5 different goalscorers on the night. Everything we shot went in the goal. Excellent performances from our back line to contain a good forward in Sierakowski. He has hurt us in other games against MSU before. Many at the game were speaking of MSU goalkeeper being potential pro option for MLS clubs. Where does that leave Lundt if this is the case? Another note; did our staff lose a member? I noticed a younger guy dropping cones for warm ups at the MSU game. Anyone know who he is? I checked the website and nobody mentioned. In the final, our team underperformed. We looked bad defensively and the choice of Milanesse instead of Hernandez looked the wrong one from coach Embick. Interestingly enough, I felt it was the right choice every other game that it happened in the season. We cannot hold that against Embick. He and his staff have done a fantastic job to get this team this far. This is my first year REALLY being a fan of the zips, despite being a huge European soccer fan, and I am hooked. Nothing beats watching this Zips team live and in person. I leave Santa Barbara early tomorrow morning but I wish this journey was not over for these young men.

Zips are always enamored with Notre Dame re’sume’s. He’s gotta be the front-runner.

Kehres can interview during the season, but it is considered classless and a betrayal of the coach's (his) current team. Once the season is over our AD, if he wants to talk to him, calls the Mount AD and asks permission to talk to Vince. It is almost always given. As for Jacobs, now that his season is over, we can begin the process with him if we want. I was once skeptical of this search, but as it goes on I am becoming more confident we will make a good hire.

Much thanks to all in the athletic dept who made the weekend in SB so much fun. Our ath. admin did a super job in hosting alumni and representing UA. I talked with the director of the tournament, an associate AD from UCSB by the name of Hastings. He was very complimentary of the university, our team and Akron fans. We really do have many friends out here. Caleb Porter came to the final and it was good to see him. It was better to talk with him about the culture of Akron and how players learn to play for the colors and the school or they leave. That is still the case. Believe it or not recruits love that and come in eager to embrace the Akron culture. They want to be part of something bigger than themselves. In this age of pampered, entitled, egotistical athletes these guys are so refreshing and inspiring. Congratulations to Maryland. They were the better team, but our guys would play them again, anytime, anywhere. Let's also not underestimate the job Jared and the coaches did this year. They completely rebuilt the team - recruited individuals and created a team. Jared deserves national coach of the year. He replaced 7 out of 11 starters and at the beginning of the season it was 9 out of 11 due to injuries. I even had time to talk with our athletic administrators about the football hiring process. Let me restate that. I talked and they nodded their heads and said absolutely nothing. I appreciate that. They know this hire has to be about the best coach possible and they can not have a deadline if there are still good candidates to be found. They also recognize the passion the Akron fan base has for finding a winner who wins the right way. ZNO was even cited as an example of the passion for Akron football. I think they get it and I support them in the process. I still like Kehres though. Just my opinion.

https://www.ohio.com/sports/20181210/university-of-akron-mens-soccer-thyroid-cancer-no-stumbling-block-for-sophomore-diogo-pacheco This story deserves its own topic. Diogo Pacheco is a very brave young man.

As Hannibal Lecter says, we covet "what we see every day." Lol. So I've wondered for about 20 years what a Kehres could do at UA. But in reading a little about Notre Dame College's Mike Jacobs I'd be really excited about him. Here is Mike Jacobs' bio from Notre Dame College.

Now official. CP to coach LA Galaxy .

The Herd lost by 1 in overtime at previously 8-1 Toledo Saturday night and beat 3-5 Morehead State by 12 tonight (Monday). Just the name Morehead State takes me back to the OVC. I'm thinking the Zips will have their hands full with Marshall.

I hope that the zips will play some important soccer before the fall. Teams are allowed to take an international trip once every 4 years. Caleb took a team to Spain. Jared took a team to Brazil in summer 2015. if you remember, the zips in 2014...lost in the round of 64 in a PK Shootout... The 2015 team made it all the way to the college cup. The players on that team credit that trip for great improvement and that they really grew to believe in each other. I hope that there is a 2019 international trip. It is expensive.....but I am confident that the zips alumni and family...will want to help these young men get better. Personally, I am hoping that they go to Portugal......so that Diogo Pacheco and his teammates will get to play in front of his family

Man...what a ride this has been. Thanks to a great bunch of young men, thanks to a great coaching staff, thanks to great support from the gameday staff, thanks especially to all the wonderful fans these guys and the program have for making it so special to attend a Zips game, or event. Thanks to UA for doing the right thing and hosting some nice get togethers three different times during the run. Thanks to the Ohio.com and Beacon for allowing Brad Bourneval to submit outstanding reporting on the season and the post-season, and for Marla for some great writing at the end. I'm a HUGE critic, but TennZip has shown me how to be the bigger person and admit when someone does something right, and they definitely improvd from past coverage. And thanks to all on this board who contribute so much to keeping everyone informed of happenings, inside and outside the touch line, for giving good, solid opinions, for agreeing to disagree sometimes, but most of all thanks again to these wonderful young men and Coach Embick, Coppinger and Kolba. Thanks for the ride Gentlemen, I don't want to get off...

I believe this young man....plays non high school soccer for a team coached by former zip Clint Caso I believe that young Mr. Cruz is a midfielder.