Z.I.P.

Any player who has the surname of Wood is bound to excel in a Zips uniform.Welcome aboard, Jasmine Wood.And if it doesn't work out he/she can always try Kearney State.

Yes. This should have been easily researched.It all began when Soccer America called him the Hermann winner in their season review of 2008. I think it's an indication of how much reporters rely on the first thing they hear or read, and fail to get the most reliable (or official) source. Shabby journalism.

Did I tell you people -- Temple is VERY overrated! Now THAT's denigrating! Win #1 on Saturday...or a very long season...

Would you believe, there were no MSU fans at the game? All that noise was being made by Dave in Green! I'm sure if I had been there, this Bulldog would have cheered for her -- to transfer!

I wondered about Mayer as well. He was kicking ball around with other subs at half time of CSUN game and appeared to be OK.We talked with David after the game. He wasn't injured, though he's not quite 100% yet from his foot injury.

My question would be....would you really want to add to the negative stigma of soccer in American as an insignificant Euro-sport? As I've run around bragging about Akron being national champs in soccer since December, this is normally the response I get from people outside of the Akron soccer community. Wouldn't european flags just add fuel to that fire, and place a major obstacle in front of our efforts to make the sport, especially at the college level, more appealing to American sports fans?Let's all give Skip-Zip a break. He thinks the term "Becks" refers to a TV actor bloviating in front of a blackboard, rather than an over-the-hill Chelsea footballer (Edit: Whoops, make that Man United. Both hated, but Beck jus' seem smore "Chelsea, doesn' he?) Not the best example, but it does give an idea of what futbol is up against in the USA. The Univ of Hawaii men's volleyball team normally has players from several differrent counties, and fans bring flags from all the counties to wave. I once brought a flag to wave for a Serbian. Ended up getting in trouble that way -- seems they had sold me the flag of Yugoslavia, pre-1990. That'll teach me.

Just returned from Cal South, so it will take a few days to get over the freewaymania disorder. Interestingly, the C-SUN-Akron game was L.A. Galaxy night in Northridge. They apparently paid former Matador Sean Franklin to come back to toss the coin or something, after which he disappeared. On the other hand ... Los Tres Chivos de Akron were seated five-ten feet from the Zip in Paradise. Will try to download my pix of the group tonight or when I have a chance.What you didn't hear in the broadcast was that after scoring, Scotty through off his jersey and immediately ran around the corner to in front of the stands, pointing up to Zarek and Ben. Funny Valentin jumped over the railing, and threw himself up on top of the track fence around the stadium, from where the Akron players lifted him up on top of the pile. At least that was what appeared to be happening in front of me during the melee. I think the one security guy from CSUN had his hands full, as he had no idea who the guy was that jumped out of the stands!Ben and Zarek were at both games. Blair showed up a few minutes into the Northridge game -- I thought he disappeared before halftime, but I think I see his face in the bottom of the frame I took of Zarek celebrating after Caldwell's winner. Ben was accompanied by a lovely looking blonde. That's the celebrity news section of the ZN.O for today.

Akron's Canadian newspaper wrote a story this week on our team and attendance!Thanks to Marla Ridenour for providing this week's AK-Rowdies chant! "We want steak! We want steak! No more burgers, we want steak!" See you Yedlins, and other Zips fans in the Valley manana. Temps only in the low-mid 90s, down from as high as 107 last Friday. Caleb's Crew will get things heated up again.

Appreciate it! Mayer is "mayor". Nice to know.

Yep.. very impressive... looked like a practice for most of the first half... Pass the ball around and wear out the defense... draw them away from the goal. Funny assessment from Porter too... named almost everyone but Balogun and Portillos... and Balogun had a great game... much improved as Porter said... must have been a hell of an off-season. They should have tried some own goals to keep Meves awake. Here's an interesting tidbit: Game next Thursday will be a homecoming for Michael Balogun. He was a member of Cal-St Fullerton -- but doesn't seem to have ever played for them. So his last real experience was three yrs ago -- I don't think he played at all for Akron last year -- did he (red shirt)? He played last year. He was the main replacement when Kofi Sarkodie went down. He played in 18 games and started four. Thanks David! The all-knowing Z.I.P. just proved his vulnerability trivia-wise. I don't remember him playing in the College Cup -- but I'm sure someone will show a box showing he did!

Walsh and Gilliam have yet to play even a minute of basketball for the Zips, and you're already thinking about their replacements? That's hard-core. Did we find out for sure how many years Walsh has to play yet? He said he was a junior, but web said 3 yrs remaining.

Yep.. very impressive... looked like a practice for most of the first half... Pass the ball around and wear out the defense... draw them away from the goal. Funny assessment from Porter too... named almost everyone but Balogun and Portillos... and Balogun had a great game... much improved as Porter said... must have been a hell of an off-season. They should have tried some own goals to keep Meves awake. Here's an interesting tidbit: Game next Thursday will be a homecoming for Michael Balogun. He was a member of Cal-St Fullerton -- but doesn't seem to have ever played for them. So his last real experience was three yrs ago -- I don't think he played at all for Akron last year -- did he (red shirt)?

UNC defeated UNC-Wilmington on Saturday. They play Louisville @home next Sunday 9/4. Winner could be #1.

Also, in MLS play, Chivas USA plays Real Salt Lake Saturday evening in LA -- game televised on Fox Soccer Channel (1030 EST, I believe). Huge game for both teams as they battle for playoff spots that neither team is guaranteed. RSL especially has been on the rocks of late. Chivas desparately needs three points to keep their hopes alive. Robin Fraser continues juggling lineup -- Ben Zemanski returned last game @ Portland, with Gavin coming off the bench. Zarek Valentin should make the start again.

Since the Great GP-1 started it, I feel obligated to provide my 2 cents! First off, try getting rid of all the body armour, and make them play like real men! You can ask any futbol player what I mean. Second, I don't mind the color "gold" at all. When will the University of Akron exchange that for the long-time BEIGE they've been using? Frankly, it's the only thing I can say against Mike Thomas.

Excellent! Confirmation of Luke Holmes' seven-game suspension. And did anyone read this (from Mauceri)?: Northern Illinois Observation: I wasn't watching Northern Illinois beat Michigan State 2-1, but I did catch freshman Isaac Kannah blister the ball past the Michigan State goalkeeper. Every time that I looked up Kannah was creating havoc for MSU. Kannah is someone to continue to monitor. I expect that NIU fans will enjoy watching him play.

Wow! Florida State coming to Akron! Now if we had this lady on our team -- who reportedly committed to Akron before her senior season of HS, we might be favored in the game. I just want to know, why do website managers put blue font on a blue background? Well, at least ours is just at the top. Recently, I was looking at the Cal Poly Pomona athletic website -- almost impossible to read anything on it!

I'm with you Yaz! People poo-pooed it when I wrote that Schmitt would start this season, but have you actually seen him? He was a real baller, who showed true talent @ Crew Academy in the Development Academy League. Can't wait to see what he's learned from his three seasons of absorbing the Zips' system. Only question is, will Caleb use 2 on top? 4-4-1-1? 4-5-1? 4-4-2?...

Thanks, Mr GoZips for sharing your insights. I hope we are worthy. I'm kind of curious as to why we haven't gotten more info about Betancourt. from what I have read, Carmelo sounds like just as high a pick-up as MacAdams, if not more so. How confident is Keith that he will be able to reel him in if he has a great year at --- wherever he is going and playing this school year? Do we know yet, where that is? Z.I.P.

As things look right now, tickets to both games should be easy to get. Chapel Hill is the easy choice since you will be right there. The statium is in the middle of campus with little parking. The best college football setting I have ever seen. Be prepared to walk a lot. UNC fans are a bunch of babies and be prepared to want to punch some of them in the face while you are there, but hold back from doing so. Franklin Street uptown is a cool scene. Lots of hot girls walking around. Wake is a much different atmosphere. Stadium is not on campus but the non parking pass parking is real good across the street at the basketball arena. There are some bars across the street from the BB arena that are good enough if you don't want to tailgate. The BB lot isn't the best place to tailgate. The stadium is about the size if Info so all seats are real good. Games not sold out so you can buy a ticket. Sit on the Wake side on the end near the new scoreboard as the sun is brutal on the visitor's side. Wake fans are Ivy League type people as Wake is a great school. Old money people who never get too excited or too down. They clap politely. Since I have no school loyalty and just want to watch college football, Wake is the choice for me. It is also an hour closer to my house than Chapel Hill. Lots of hot 60 year old women walking around. It all depends on what you want to do. And the same goes for any ex-Akron soccer players you may run into!

Bintang??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bintang_Beer Come to Hawaii dude. They sell it at Safeway.

Well, if you score 27 goals in 16 games, that will happen. He appears to be the offspring of a line of Sierra Leonean national players. Possibly with senior national experience -- hard to tell from what I've found so far, but his name appears on African Cup of Nations and WC qualifier boxes (but he's only 16).

Is the sked out yet -- I know they open vs the national runners-up. Who else is there? I also noticed on the 11-12 roster that they have only 13 players -- one short of the scholarship limit. Did K-Coach lose more undergrad ballers? Frosh no-shows?

Glad to help. If anyone is traveling anywhere, the Great GP1 has traveled through out the United States on business throughout his professional career and knows a ton of good places to eat. I've thought of writing a food guide for businessmen traveling for work. The seafood spaghetti? I'm green with envy. I hope you were able to take in the downtown area while there. I used to stay at the Courtyard across the street from The BOB. Grand Rapids is a great place. Hey GP-1, since you've offered... You know anywhere on the Left Coast? Heading to LA next week. You must have a favorite tiki bar, there.

The team is capable of winning anywhere from 1-6 games this year. Repeating what litttle I've had to say about the American game, the second week will tell just how good the team can be. If they get blown out in the opener by the Owls it will be a very long season, with very little interest, and few fans. Beat Temple -- a team with few returning starters, and the guys get momentum and confidence going into winnable games vs EMU, VMI, FIU, even Ohio at home (TAKE THAT Jupertoo!), and they create (re-reate?) excitement on campus and in town. Recent schedules have been back-loaded, with late season games that could make the team competitive in the MAC. It seems that the most important -- relatively close and winnable games this season are before Halloween. It's possible they could even be .500 or above by that time. Or they could be 1-7 or something like that. I hope I-Coach does feel some pressure. You get the impression he's not concerned with the recent performance of HIS team. As if, because of the lack of success, he has "nowhere to go but up"! You do have somewhere else to go Coach. Let's start winning some games, NOW. An aside, there hasn't been much discussion about the schedule - but this seems like the most favorable (i.e., easiest) sked in years. There's no excuse for not winning at least four.