Z.I.P.

Very nice reminiscence! Last time, we had Bruce Arena on the committee. Let's see if we can't get Klinsmann this time around! (not that we need him, but...)

No...but that doesn't eliminate Bloomington coaches from consideration. IU #1 Ass't Coach Brian Maissoneuve is in similar position to where Caleb Porter occupied seven years ago, and should receive a long look. Other than that, I would like to see youth academy coaches get consideration, starting with Columbus Crew Academy Coaching Director Billy Thompson. OK -- I met Billy when he played in Hawaii! But with his background in college, pro and MLS academy development he has high standing. Hope he applies. But first, let's join our coach in focusing on achieving our goal for this season. I know the boys in blue and gold will!

A quick FYI, Chivas USA plays @New England on Wednesday (8/29). Not sure if Blair is starting for the Revs. The acquisition of Shalrie Joseph has pushed the team's most improved player, Ben Zemanski to the bench behind Joseph and Nick LaBrocca. Sad that. I won't be surprised if this is Robin Fraser's last game (if it's an 'L') at the helm, as Eric Wynalda kind of predicted prior to their draw at Colorado last week.

Well, this one I have to take exception to. Or at least to one interpretation of it: If he stays, Caleb could win several of these That's similar to the path taken by Bruce Arena to USMNT coach. Now I would like to pursue the question, "Why Portland?" You have to wear an ankle-length overcoat there for four-five months a year. Does anyone know any other reason why he would leave for PDX after turning down DC United? Right now the Timber are either #18 or 19 in MLS. I guess if you like a challenge...

I turn on my favorite website, and ... nearly regurgitate my breakfast... Whatever Caleb decides, I wish him the very best. On the other hand... Say it ain't so coach. At least not till we get another star on our shirts.

The kid is Does his team rugby punt, or do they quick kick a lot? Looks like he's made for the MAC.

Well, considering what we had in the past, I think the school ought to consider renewing George's contract for the next few years. That wouldn't be a conflict would it?

Hey -- I remember one university that once tried to trademark the letter "O"! for hutzpah.

Sked shows Creighton game TV broadcast on "NET". What's that? Nebraska Educational TV? Probably can't find that on DirecTV

Zips Look to Go to Koroma. From Soccer America piece.

Awesome! Sawatdee Ampai!

I watched the hated Indiana Whosers on FSC on Saturday, at the Ft Wayne pre-season festival playing Chivas Guadalajara's U-23s (game went to PKs). They looked really good on possession, but appeared to lack an inside finisher. I'd give Akron the pre-season advantage going into the Sep 7th matchup @ South Bend. Petts, Kotlov, Konstansky in the middle make IU a really difficult nut to crack. I think we'll do it though.

If it's true -- another slap in the face to the Mid-American Conference. Just when a left-for-dead program jumps into (potential) national prominence, he goes and t'rows em under da truck. Those with any sentiment to EMU, or the MAC in general gotta feel sad -- and embarassed. If he leaves, he better not try and come back to any mid-major conference again!

How long before they can create a wide receiver who catches passes with his tongue?

A little surprising to me that there's no one else from Akron, but at least Scott Caldwell made the pre-season list. You don't have to be on this list to get votes. Also, I'm looking forward to seeing the Lowe's Senior Class Award list. I expect our Center Back, CB to be on that list.

Four wins from this team could put Bowden up for dadgum national coach a da year!

I hope my memory's not deceiving me -- I am getting to that age -- but, I seem to recall Drew Souders playing the Right Back for the US in the 2011 U-17 World Cup game 1 (where he also wore the armband). I don't think he played at all in the other two games. It's possible I'm confusing his international comp with Perry Kitchen, who had a very similar story. He too was at RB two years earlier I think. Does anyone else recall Souders' WC tournament, or seeing Drew elsewhere? Unless he can fit in along with Barson in the center (with Gallego moved to LB), he may be the nation's best sub, since I don't see him taking the place of our current RB. Now Chad Barson -- there's a central defender!

At one point prior to last season, one Akron staffer gave Sporting News insight into the culture and lack of identity at Akron. “The kids would come to workouts wearing Ohio State gear,” he said. And were the coaches wearing ND gear?

Someone please remind me -- the voters in this poll are a select group of D-1 coaches only, correct? You would think they would have heard about new bodies...

Pratt is a true freshman IIRC. Is he fighting for playing time this fall? At least there IS some fight on the field this year!

When does the NSCAA pre-season poll come out? I can't wait to get after star #2.

For anyone who has not yet heard the news, the captain of North Carolina's national championship squad passed away after the Crew's victory last night in Columbus.. Here is the tributory tweet from Tarheel and Crew teammate Ben Speas.

Just so he doesn't become John Edwards on the campaign stump. Rielle Hunter could cause yet more problems.

Chivas USA defeated the sliding-into-oblivion Portland Timbers on Saturday night at Jeldwen Field, PDX. Portland was pretty much controlling the pace of action with their fine young attackers, but was unable to put away multiple chances. Then Ben Zemanski, the Goats' undeniable new playmaker up to the head of captain Danny Califf, putting Chivas into ecstacy. Timbers never recovered. Could Zemanski be the most improved player in MLS?

From my experience watching the Region IV tournament twice, the U-18 and U-19 comps were always sort of "all-star" teams put together expressly for this tournament. That may have changed with the establishment of MLS youth clubs. The Honolulu Bulls FC won the U-18 tournament (could have been U-19?) around 2005, and half the players had played together up through U-17 on the same Bulls team, the rest were mostly local former Oahu HS players.