Z.I.P.

Addendum: Until now.

Yes -- was a very exciting contant back-and-forth action, as neither team plays an "Akron-style" offense. Was surprised that they only got 7500 into Harder Stadium, as I think they had around 15k when the two faced off in SB two yrs ago. There sure were a lot of tortillas flying -- but most were aimed at the refs! I'd guess a couple thou in the Loco section. One interesting side bar that came up from the FSC announcers: They let out a piece of info I hadn't hear before -- the 2013 men's College Cup will be played in Philadelphia. Philly in December? BRRRRRRRRRR!

So, are we going to "over-recruit" Jack Gibbs?

Biggest surprise is that XU is offering lower level players than usual -- and losing out to Akron. Wow!

Have to say, from the little I was able to watch without puking (and fortunately there was an MLS game on another channel!), I was very surprised by this outcome. I watched Buffalo's opener vs Georgia, and the Bulls looked like they would be a threat for at least second in the East. They play a top-10 team almost even for a half, and their possession passing game looked hard to stop. I wonder where that team was hiding last night. Could it possibly be that Can't's defense is actually capable? BTW -- who was that Samoan DLman? Not from 'round here I hope.

Was anyone here in the Capitol City for the Crew matchup versus Chivas USA tonight? (Hello, Crew8?) The Crew scored in or near injury time for a one-nil victory. Quite symbolic of Chivas' season overall. They played a first 20 minutes as well as they've played all year (though similar to their last two losses vs Seattle and San Jose), but they had just one real scoring chance over the 90 minutes. Robin Fraser was in the stands sitting out the game after receiving the red card in the San Jose game -- and that could explain his team's temporary good play. Ben Zemanski started the game and played 90 minutes, in place of Shalrie Joseph, who also was suspended for accumulated yellow cards. Poor Ben again was forced to play himself into playing rhythm, and has not yet caught up -- which can be said of many Goats in this jumbled line-up. Ben's signature play now is the 40-yard attacking pass into the 6-yard box -- he's always close but not quite able to connect, as happened on a pass early on to former Crew forward Alejandro Moreno. Finally, I have to admit something -- watching MLS futbol games can too often be like watching two MAC schools play futbol Americano. I can't recall a night where that fact was more present than tonight. Both games were televised to the 50th state. Yeeach.

Tonight the First District Court for New York decided that inmates at SingSing were allowed to watch ANY channel except ESPNU. Otherwise would constitute cruel and inhuman punishment.

You mean the 70:00 mark?

Just our of curiosity, do your times reflect time remaining to play, or time played?

This is interesting. I wonder if the 2000+ for St Bonnie was due the return of former BeeGee HC Mel Mahler. Many Old Time Zips remember Mel was a GA under Bob Dowdy in the early 80s.

The FSC announcers didn't mention Koroma's absence but once in the second half, I think. Pretty strange that something that potentially serious could go unannounced prior to the game. I too hope AK is back in training soon.

How is Gallego adapting to central mid? Did he ever play there in juniors?

Can someone explain how the Home Grown Player rule works? I'm assuming that the MSL "home team" has first dibs on their services (and they aren't MLS Superdraft eligible?) -- but can the player turn the home team down for another "free agent" contract? My vague belief is that there are very few current MLS players contracted under this rule.

WONDER TWIN POWERS....ACTIVATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Changer, did you mean Twin Powers, or Twin Towers??

Zesty, I do hope you mentioned to Dillon that your were intending to blast this news to the world. Otherwise, you may need a new study partner.

Sorry for the delay, but I saw Steve start his first MLS game since April of 2011 on Saturday versus Chivas USA in Seattle's hard-fought win (televised on Fox West Prime Ticket). Strangely enough, it was a collision between Steve and Chivas starting central mid Ben Zemanski in the right alley 15-20 yards from goal which resulted in the free-kick that tied the score at 1-1 late in the first half after Chivas had been dominating a slow-starting Sounders ballclub. Steve was subbed early in the second half by Sigi Schmidt, but was looking sound (as Sounders should) throughout his first half time. Ben started for the first time since the Shalrie Joseph trade and played 90 minutes, but the 4-6 weeks off told, as he mistimed several balls and did not look like the same guy who started about ten games in a row earlier this season. Will be interesting to see if Zakuani gets a full 90 soon.

Thanks for your research Bobby. I can tell you from my own experience living in Portland in the late 90s to 2002 that the Pilot women's team is one of the big reasons why PDX is called Soccer City USA. Their (IIRC) two-time national champion team has consistently drawn 2000-4000 at Merlo Field on the North End of town for over 20 years. Alumni of UP include Canadian national star Christine Sinclair, and USWNT players Megan Rapinoe, Tiffany Milbrett and Shannon McMillan. Their late legendary coach, Clive Charles did for Portland what Caleb has accomplished in Rubber City. Well...so far. Interesting coincidence, hmmmmm. BTW -- that Dayton-BU game was an NSCAA/FSC national TV game. Our chance comes up on Friday. How many can we cram into the ElJay?

Oh boy!... Something just struck me -- could this be the first time that Akron has beaten a Yeagley coached team? We did not play them last year IIRC. And my intense hatred makes me think they skunked us through the Jerry-era. I recall just one IU @ UA game on a sunny late Sept/early Oct Sunday about 1978-79, when we MAY have gotten that team (or at least a draw). The previous year was the year Yeagley subbed 10 players at-a-time on us. Any historians know the answer?

Amen to THAT brother! Caleb Porter: Undefeated in his coaching career versus that school. Hope the search committee considers ability to maintain that perfection in deliberations.

Ball State is coming to play my Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Warriors this coming weekend on O'ahu. Looks from appearances that they are similar to Akron, being unable to quite get over the hump and compete for a MAC title, but I think they've beaten Akron at least last two games. Anyone have any comments on the Lady Cards? I see their leading scorer last year was a fullback, now senior from Cincinnati #12, Brigit Reder, West Chester Lakota HS.

Meanwhile, NBC SportsNet says that the Portland Timbers new coach has built a "Bo-hemouth" program at Akron. And Timber Jack Jewsbury hopes that Caleb is watching their game tonight. Later, maybe...

Sorry, just got off work. Is it 2-1 now??

Maybe the team is better off not having been televised being shellacked at home by another mid-major. If only the same were true of oh, say Clint Eastwood. I watched ESPNU from late first Qtr to end of SCar-VBilt game, and I didn't see a single play from INfocision. On the other hand the game @Dicks got both replays and live play (but, darn, I missed that wrong-way run!). What I don't understand is -- if you're not going to show another game in the entirety, why devote about half the time (maybe more like 2/3) to showing the same game at the same time on two different channels??

LOL! I wouldn't be surprised if we could offer more than Chivas USA, which is where Wynalda SHOULD go.

Thanks Knight. Done.