Z.I.P.

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.

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.