Z.I.P.

I would be SHOCKED if Brian kept his "promise"! Montreal made a good choice. If he doesn't play, he's great trade bait (a former MLS MVP, for Pete's sake!) either back to Houston or to the West Coast. After Donovan leaves, the Galaxy will be looking for a scorer and leader. Back to San Jose is another possibility, as I believe Brian's wife is from the area.

Gentlemen's agreement? It's called the continuing incompetence of the Chivas USA management. The rest of MLS expects to benefit from the club's inadequacy. What do people think about Chivas protecting Ben but not Zarek? Both seemed to be trapped in Robin Fraser's revolving door lineup midway through the season. Zarek apparently chose the wrong time to be in Fraser's doghouse, after starting every game for about four months, he fell out with the coach in late August and didn't play until the final game, as I recall. Ben started more games than not, and finished the awful season relatively strongly. But will someone -- anyone -- explain how these idiots protected PAULO NAGAMURA? One of the most disliked players in the league -- and a veteran journeyman at best? I have to wonder just how much salary caps contribute to the decision making. Maybe a lot more than we realize. And YES Tank -- I was very serious about Nate Jaqua. He may be the most underrated player in MLS. I've long been a Sigi Schmid fan, but not giving Nate a shot after returning from his injury is the biggest mistake he's made in Seattle. Look at how well he's played in (US Open Cup) matches when he's had the chance. You can let it be known, I'm not a Freddy Montero aficianado.

++++ Infinity

If anyone has time, you should explore the BigSoccer board, and see if there's a G.A. thread there -- or start one. I have to say -- I'm shocked that Seattle did not protect Nate Jaqua. As far as I'm concerned, he's the best player on their roster! Hope Montreal grabs him! As far as Chivas USA, I have followed their fortunes for several years. They're very poorly run from the top down. I know Zarek loves LA, and fortunes can change rapidly in MLS, however, I don't think anyone should regret getting our from under the gravity of the Galaxy at HDC.

So, tell me Buckzip, are you suggesting that OSWho's record would be completely different if just Sweatervest were still in charge? You're NOT saying that! Please tell us. I think I have to go with the Cap'n -- I'd jump on Luke in a heartbeat! If Akron doesn't, somebody bigger and better will. Fick is better than any position coach in existence, and now has BigTen HC experience. Can you say that about any other serious candidate? An aside, you'll notice that this is about my first FB post of the season -- and this could be my last one -- as I have about lost all interest in the sport thanks to ICoach's destruction of the program. I'm sure there are thousands like me in NE Ohio, for whom this may be the last chance to hook their waning interest up to a defibrilator. Does Wistercil care enough to do what's required?

I'm not sure whether Charlotte deserves to host, versus having the best official NCAA golf weather -- I mean did we offer to bribe them with Firestone versus their Pinehurst? However, it appears that Akron is not the only one to get screwed over...According to the NCAA.com bracket, Creighton, the #2 seed receives a sealed invitation to play at #15 UC Santa Barbara!

Romeo, actually. Zeke just tied Rome's record for blocked shots! (Dru was only 6' tall! ) Zeke's going to obliterate that record! Sorry, but I just gotta ask..where's Rickie Brown on that list? He was a shot blocking LEGEND, in the pre-Frenchie era!!

Akron is a fantastic team. I know they didn't finish the year ranked #1 or anything, but it's obvious why they're ranked in the top 10. That team is LOADED. -- Akron is very athletic and exceptionally fast. That doesn't make them better soccer players, but it sure doesn't hurt. Some things can be countered with schematic adjustments, like double-teaming a stud pass rusher, denying the ball to a great shooter in basketball or intentionally walking a great hitter. But this team was flying all over the field. -- Ben Hill is pretty good. Earlier in the year, he got spot duty when Juan Castillo got a rest, but it's time to give this guy his due. He's really strong and created some space in the offensive end because he couldn't be pushed around. He'll play more next year, and deservedly so. -- Our defense played pretty well. Their offense played better. The first goal (by #10 - Maddux?) was great, a diving header on a cross from the other side of the field, bouncing the shot into the lower left corner. The second goal, by the bald kid (I think his name is Holmes) was better, a free kick that he absolutely crushed through a gap in the line. Maybe Ibarra was screened or something, but it looked like he never saw it, or maybe it was such a hard shot that he didn't have time to react. Shot could have been 20 yards longer and would have gone in. The third goal might be the best goal I ever have seen in person: Maddux chased down a loose ball, shook off an SMU defender who was trying to tackle him (football tackle, that is) and kept his head enough to turn and somehow get a shot in under the crossbar from a very tough angle. No idea how that thing went in. -- Maddux got two goals, so he'll be viewed as the man of the match, but I really liked that bald kid (Holmes). He held possession all day in the midfield, and it seemed like he had the ball on a string. For a while, it looked like our guys were flailing at the ball, and he was the reason why. He seemed like the point guard who makes that team go. Akron was the better team tonight and deserved to win. When we were down 3-0, I didn't think they were three goals better, but it also felt more convincing than the 1-goal margin on the scoreboard. Maybe 3-1 would have been appropriate. Thank you SMU fan, on behalf of the hair deprived!

It's not a matter of supporting Akron or any other collegiate soccer program. The Crew website has always done stories on former academy players succeeding after they leave the ugly yellow and black. That will probably be the case for a long time -- meaning they will not change their scouting or draft strategy to intentionally draft former academy players. For that matter, how many MLS players today dress for clubs for whom they played at the academy level? Very few I bet. BTW -- the MLS attendance figures are another exercise in exaggeration. Only the top maybe four or five clubs actually draw close to the announced figures. Just take a look at the stands during TV matches. The Crew Stadium is rarely half full.

Z.I.P. here, back from the weekend...Hey we beat SMU?!?! Hooray! Sorry for the late post. What do we know about this next bump on the road to Alabama? Is the NCAA serious in suggesting the game shouldn't be played at the defending champions home field? Will Charlotte attract even as many fans as an average UNC attendance (<1000)? I think we already beat the toughest opponent we'll see prior to the Cup -- at least I hope that's true. Do Bisbee and Tank have their reservations made for December in Birmingham? The team isn't there yet, but you can smell the pimiento cheese, or whatever they eat down there... I already have a connection, with my friend visiting his son in B'ham in December. No -- I'm NOT going this year. When do they return the Cup to the WC?

Pretty good win! Gotta go folks. Can you believe tonight's the start of soccer seeason in Hawaii? Go Pearl City Chargers!

Two minutes to go. Forecast for Dallas this weekend. Near 80. Chance of thunderstorms Sunday.

Are you at the game? Wondering how the attendance is.. Watching online, but looks relatively sparse. I understand...but it's 50 degrees warmer here.

I agree! And I'm only watching the gametracker.

Way to go, coach!

THREE TO OOOOOONE! Mattocks scores!!!

Delaware - Virginia and Wake - S. Carolina are into 2nd overtimes still knotted.

Come on Zips. We need insurance! Back o'the net, boys.

Pac-12??

Holmes is back in at 66 mins. That was quick! Schmitt was only in for seven minutes.

Northwestern starting to take control. Three corners and two shots with a PK goal in past 4 mins.

62:09 Penalty kick goal for NU. 2-1 Doesn't say who committed foul.

Schmitt just came in for Luke Holmes in min 60. Neither team has a corner.

GOAL! Aodhan Quinn Collects loose ball and shoots it in from 20 yds out. 2-0 AKRON!

It was a nice goal, alright. But seriously, Darling(ton), that Erik Hassli goal is probably the best in the world this season.