NYC ZIP

Lots of high RPI teams on the schedule. Good challenges and opportunities for the Zips. OOC schedule is very strong and I’m guessing that Xavier on the road will be a battle. Creighton will likely bounce back and be better as will UConn and St John’s. Not to mention an October Tuesday night game in Ithaca, NY at Cornell.

I was just logging on to celebrate the exodus from FloSports.

The more Zips goal scorers the better! 🚀

Another USL 2 goal by Stefan for Akron City in a 1-1 draw with Steel City. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLf5x9Jya73/?igsh=MWloeWJudTUzcTR5cg==

It’s the Zips combining. Cross from Royer, flick by Stefan, finish by Buebendorf. Hope for about 20 of these in the fall…… https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLX2CKaAUXK/?igsh=dGpzeDJnaTFibDl5

Goal James Buebendorf, assisted by Jamai Royer, for Akron City FC in a 2-0 win over Cleveland Force.

The Zips announced their full home schedule for 2025. Some quality opponents coming to First Energy this fall.

Quite possibly the Zips will open their season on the road against another potentially strong opponent VCU on August 21. VCU beat Wake Forest and was highly ranked until the Zips bashed them 4-0 in a monsoon at home. That loss unraveled the Rams a bit and they finished middle of the pack in the A10. https://vcuathletics.com/news/2025/6/16/mens-soccer-mens-soccer-announces-2025-schedule.aspx

5 new members in the month of June.

Add another match against a top team for the Zips this fall. Akron will play at home against West Virginia on August 29. Last season, West Virginia finished 13-2-7, won the Sun Belt tournament , and lost in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament to UVA. They ended at 16 in RPI and 16 in most national polls. Another opportunity for the Zips against a top out of conference opponent. https://wvusports.com/news/2025/6/13/mens-soccer-announces-2025-schedule.aspx

Solid debut!

I think the schedule is done. Traditionally, Jared has steered the ship. The official announcements vary by school, but Akron generally announces first week of July.

Not necessarily NIL, but scholarship money available. All schools are now allowed, but not required, to have all men’s players on the roster receive full scholarships up to 28. Prior to this change, mens soccer teams were limited to the equivalent of 9.5 to divide across the players. I’m sure the Zips gained very little, if any $$ to allocate to men’s soccer. On the other hand, I’m confident schools like OSU did and can leverage a “full ride” deal for transfer players from schools that aren’t opted in. Even an increase to 15 scholarships could be a massive difference to the construction of a roster.

William Arnesen who spent the spring with the Zips after transferring from Old Dominion, has transferred to Ohio State. https://www.instagram.com/p/DKkKo_0Mjby/?igsh=MTVjOTZ5cG05MXp4cA==

ESPN article about possible visa difficulties for international players given new immigration policies. This could impact the Zips somewhat, but could crush teams like Marshall, West Virginia, Pitt, Seton Hall, Vermont, and many others that have heavy non US rosters.

Also our big east conference games against the East Division do not appear to include Georgetown (3) or Providence (18)

If opponents perform similar to last year, there are several Tier 1 RPI wins on the schedule. OSU(1) WMU(30) SLU (37) Cornell (25)were all top 30-ish RPI teams last season. Plus I’m sure a conference opponent or two will be high RPI rank. Big opportunities for the youthful Zips roster.

Zips will play at Ivy League team Cornell on October 7. Cornell lost to Pitt in the second round of the NCAA tournament last year, and finished ranked #22. https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule/2025

Xavier picked up a couple highly regarded transfers and will be a tough conference opponent on the road.

St John’s will be the Family/Homecoming Weekend game on October 3. Important Big East Conference game. https://redstormsports.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule

A10 team St Louis University will play the Zips in Akron on September 23. They were in the NCAA tournament last season after finishing second to Dayton in conference. https://slubillikens.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule

Camden Stockton has moved on from Akron. He did a nice job promoting basketball last season.

Mitch Budler listed as a top 11 USL 2 player to watch by Top Drawer Soccer. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ9-7lFxy7v/?img_index=3&igsh=MWFveTV5YnZwMWdhcg==

Flint City beats Kalamazoo 1-0 on a goal from Ashton Kamdem. https://www.instagram.com/p/DKDuRthv7-O/?igsh=MWVqMG9vbGJwb2dpcQ==