Z.I.P.

Interesting but no way do the vast majority of kids get these sorts of opportunities Part V. The grass is always greener where they throw the sauerkraut. Mom, it's hardly as if the US has never considered foreign coaching strategies. In fact, sometimes it seems we've explored everything so much, we've failed to develop our own system.

Thanks, Johnny. I'll put that shot of 'Z-tine' next to the one of Blair Gavin -- both beating LandyCakes to the ball. Hey -- Chivas plays @Houston tomorrow. I haven't seen Kofie play yet this season -- and I think he has as much potential, skill-wise and athletically as any of the Class of Twenty-Ten. Chivas plays as well or better on the road than any team in MLS. Kofi's lack of minutes early in the season has been the most surprising to me. But it does look like he's been getting more opportunities lately. I agree 100% regarding his potential. Perhaps he's having a little trouble adjusting to playing a more traditional defender role as opposed to the freelancing he was permitted to do as a Zip (the Zip D was so consistent and solid, Kofi was frequently available to make deep runs without the risk of giving up a counter). On draft day, I remember the analysts saying they didn't understand Houston drafting Kofi because they were already loaded with defenders...which may be the issue. FYI -- Kofi did not play. And Zarek was replaced, after starting about ten straight games for Chivas by Paulo Nagamura, already my least favorite MLS player. Seeing the game in its entirety, I expect 'Z' to return to the starting lineup this week.

Thanks, Johnny. I'll put that shot of 'Z-tine' next to the one of Blair Gavin -- both beating LandyCakes to the ball. Hey -- Chivas plays @Houston tomorrow. I haven't seen Kofie play yet this season -- and I think he has as much potential, skill-wise and athletically as any of the Class of Twenty-Ten. Chivas plays as well or better on the road than any team in MLS.

My prediction is the ncaa will never hand out the death penalty again after what happened to smu after they received it. Wow.. great prediction. That would be impressive had it been BEFORE the NCAA said it would never again hand out a death penalty. We're both wrong. Two schools received the death penalty since smu in lower divisions. Actually Doug, I was only wrong once. You were wrong twice. Congrats, you win. I loved the Wiki article. This statement about the Morehouse soccer team in particular: The NCAA came down particularly hard on Morehouse due to a lack of institutional control; for a time the athletic department didn't know the soccer program even existed. At least the Akron Athletic Department knows they have a football team, even if no one else cares.

Well, folks, this gets more interesting all the time. By this time next week, they may be down to their freshman team.

Nice find Johnny! Thanks for the translation from the original Macedonian. I think that's the country in the Balkans, and not the township outside Nordonia. I have to admit, I'm learning more all the time from the Zipsnation. Up until last year's College Cup I had always thought the Nanchoffs were Hungarian, and escaped from the Soviet takeover in '56. Then someone wrote that they were actually from Yugoslavia. Now it's narrowed down to the village of Resen. Amazing.

WOW! They can do that? Come to think of it, I think that's how the guy Cortez got his chance with Chivas USA -- he was a part of their Academy team before joining the reserves and becoming the leading scorer. I hope Caleb knows about this "opportunity"!

Thanks for the report, as I was too busy to put it on here till now. YES! Los Quatro Zips! I didn't see Blair after the game as you reported, but I did think that they may swap jerseys. lol they did! I only saw the first half of the Chivas-Vancouver game on last wed or Thursday, and I don't think Nanchoff played. Frankly, Chivas is not playing good soccer at home -- but they managed to get four points in two games vs the leagues newest franchises -- which is the least they had to do. Eric Wynalda made some praiseful comments about Darlington's potential during the broadcast for Fox West. While the Goats played one of their lesser games on Saturday, Portland is awful away from home. They were rarely able to put more than two passes together, and played so many balls from their back line forward that it was painful to watch. Neither team looked to have any finishing ability -- thank heaven the Argentinian rookie Mondaini was back from his suspension. Chivas plays better on the road than at home -- Justin Braun played what must have been the worst game of his career Saturday nite -- but he recorded a hat trick against the NY Red Bulls in New York a couple weeks ago. Overall, I think both CDCUSA and Timbers have a good shot at a playoff spot. The West is very competitive.

Pete Milich George Nanchoff Simon Spelling Shaun Docking Steve Zakuani Darlington Nagbe Some of the most talented played only one or two years. J. B. Amogua (sp)? And yes, I think Evan Bush was a better collegiate keeper than David Meves. Meves will need to be stellar this year for Zips to succeed. Thank you, Buflobo! JB Amangoa (sp?) . I was trying to remember that name just last weekend. As I recall he was from Ivory Coast, yes? Fantastic player, first team all-America I believe.

Mark Alberts! He set the NCAA career 3-point FG record with over 300. Of course the record was surpassed the same night bya player from Radford U. Nonetheless, one of the all-time greats. Also, overlooked and considered the first true great player at Akron, in the 50s -- and someone who would go on to be the greatest Akron player-to-coach: Mike Harkins, who passed away just a year or two ago. Here's Mike's bio: Mike Harkins is the former head basketball coach of Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University—Billings). In 15 seasons at Eastern Montana, his teams won 295 games, 10 NAIA district titles, and 12 conference championships. He also coached four teams in international competition. In 1973, he was head coach of the US World University Games team in Rio de Janeiro. Harkins also served as a professor of health, physical education, and recreation at Eastern Montana College, where he received the college’s award for outstanding achievement in scholarship and creativity. In addition, he was awarded Akron University’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1987. He retired from active coaching in 1976. (He also was Ass't Coach of the USA team at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.)

Off topic, but I was thinking who could represent the 50th State earlier this week when this was brought to my attention. US Soccer: 50 States & 50 Jerseys Z.I.P. came to mind and you just reminded me. The gentleman who owns the 49th State I've met a few times at past US matches. He's the one who's behind this idea. Hey, that's pretty cool Crew8! I gotta find out where to get one customized. I'm up for it -- even if I never attend a USA game in person. I just can't believe the Frozen North is spoken for, but not the land of USA #9. I think that was Chingie's #. There's another Hawai'i kid coming up -- a 15 Y.O., who's playing in Germany for a "varsity" club. He moved to So Cal at 14, played for Irvine Strikers, and got a try-out with the Bundeslige club. Hopefully he gets in a USA jersey soon.

The way they've been talking about Blair the past couple games, it appears his injury is more serious than the "game-to-game" type watch. It sounded like they're not looking for him to return anytime soon. Shame too, as they're short-footed in the middle. That's one reason why it's a good think Ben has advanced beyond expectations.

The US Goats make their annual visit to Crew Stadium on Saturday night. Ben Zemanski (alternating between center mid and wing) and Zarek Valentin (central back) have started together for Chivas for five or six straight games now, including the big win two weeks ago at the New York Red Bulls. I hope we can get some of the Nation to attend on behalf of our Zips Crew. If you go, take your Akron scarves to wave -- especially to the cameras from Fox Prime Ticket who are broadcasting the game back to So Cal and to the 50th State. Christian Miles and Allen Hopkins will be in the broadcast booth tomorrow night. I'm sure they will mention the "home" match for the ex-Zips (# 20 and 21, I think), but make all the noise you can for our guys.

Our new coach is bringing in two players from Russia and/or Ukraine (hard to tell from the write-up). And one of them is just fifteen years old (15). Imagine the social difficulties this could present -- she could be dating students over 18, but guys, be aware! Makes you go, "Hmmmmmm". Shkundina, a native of Ufa, Russia, is currently ranked 635th by the ETA (Tennis Europe) among women of all ages in limited playing time, but saw her ranking climb as high as 36th. Her resume includes reaching the doubles semifinals and the singles round of 16 at the Eddie Herr Championships, and victories over eight players ranked in the top-800 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) world rankings, including three over top-300 players. "Olga has had minimal opportunities to travel for tournament play since 2008, and her ranking has shown this; however, her level of play is outstanding, as seen by her impressive resume," Padgett said. "We expect Olga to come in and add significant depth to our line-up, with the strong possibility of playing fairly high in our lineup as a freshman." Shkundina is the younger sister of Vera Shkundina, who played for Padgett at Kennesaw State and is that program's current No. 1 singles player. Olga, who is 15, will be one of the youngest student-athletes to ever compete in women's tennis at the Division I level. Padgett just completed his first year as coach at Akron after spending the previous three-plus seasons as head coach at Kennesaw State. "Olga will be, what we believe, is the youngest-ever collegiate student-athlete to play a match,'' Padgett added. ''She is only 15, but with her ability, she can come in and play with anyone on our team right now.''

He wouldn't be able to play until 2012, correct? I think that for soccer you can play immediately so long as you've never transfered previously. Zach speaks the truth. The "One free transfer" rule applies.

First time I've seen Fenlason's name. I think this is the first Cali recruit! We are sure becoming a national program -- from FL to WA to MA to SoCal. edit: Thanks Tank, just saw your post, above. Here's a little bit more on Jake. Small but good numbers/experience.

First time I've seen Fenlason's name. I think this is the first Cali recruit! We are sure becoming a national program -- from FL to WA to MA to SoCal. edit: Thanks Tank, just saw your post, above.

Interesting. Anything on Navarrete? Seems weird to show up for Spring semester and leave before that's even finished. Is anyone else going crazy with excitement about this upcoming season. I cant wait for it to start. I find this odd, why would you show up for Spring to leave for UAB? UAB - Diego Navarrete It does seem odd, but looking at that roster, there is another player from Santiago, Chile at UAB. Perhaps Diego needed someone else to help with his transition. I think you meant translation!

And they all seem to have some connection to direct marketing. I guess that 'do not call' list hasn't stopped 'em from raking in the cash.

Well it is good to hear Speas will keep playing. As for future pro signings. Trapp and Souders will at least play one year at Akron. I know for a fact that Barson will be at Akron this year. He was offered a Pro Contract with the Crew right after the National Championship game and he turned it down. I believe he wants to get his degree from Akron, or the majority of his classes (isnt the kid a 4.0 pre med student?). None of these guys are going to turn pro until at least 1 year at Akron. If you look at the payscale of HGP's vs. GenAdidas kids, it makes zero financial sense for someone to take the HGP contract if they think they can get a GenAd deal. Trapp and possibly others are definitely GenAd candidates. Jack McInerney I think they can get signed to a GA contract without even doing a year of college. Looking back on previous GA contract recipients, not all of them even made it to college. Yeah but that is saved for incredibly special cases...Jack McInerny, Luis Gil, Omar Salgado and Zach Herold were the only ones signed in the last two years and prior to that everyone has been in Residency. If they aren't signed to a GA by now they won't be signed until after a year of college. Oh WOW! I have been wondering for a while now, whatever happened to Zac Herold? He reportedly had signed an LOI with UCF. Didn't know he was drafted by TFC. What a shame -- he was a great prospect, with international class moves and pace.

To where is Speas transferring? That's the $Million question. Transferring, or going pro? I just hope he doesn't show up in Cowlumbus, Bloomington, AnnArbor. I'd actually rather see him go to another MAC school -- one we could still beat, but whom would/might have a chance at an at-large berth with an all-America caliber attacking mid.

I thought when UA signed Ben that he was Top Drawer Soccer's #1 in his class. (Edit: I just read ZIP's post which makes more sense given that Ben missed his final year playing at CVCA due to injury.) I hope he left because he found a way into the pro ranks with the Crew (as a homegrown), but I don't know if that's possible at this time. I believe Top Drawer's decision to move Speas to the top was based on his offensive exploits and potential, shown with the Crew Academy. He was playing a defensive mid or center mid with the national team while at Bradenton. His athleticism is strong enough that he still has the potential to be a real threat as an attacking mid/winger. It will be very interesting to find out where he lands. I hope he does not try to go overseas professionally, as that is a route shown so many times to be a dead end for young Americans. Hope he can find a way into MLS. Can't imagine why he would transfer, unless CP's scouting is different from what we've seen. I think he woulda/shoula been a starter this season.

Hopefully this class pans out better than last years' recruiting class. That group looked to be really good, but now look what we have left from them: Reinaldo Brenes - hopefully can produce a lot this year Richard Diaz, Jr. - gone Gabriel Genovesi - gone Perry Kitchen - got a great year out of him, but gone Darren Mattocks - kinda concerned how he'll perform without the service around him he had last year Andrian McAdams - I understand the desire for three GKs on the roster, but surprised he's not gone, he's not going to play Martin Ontiveros - gone McKauly Tulloch - gone Maybe Porter knew that class didn't need to be good because of how many returners he had. I'm expecting a lot from Trapp, Gallego, and Yedlin though. Here's a little fun fact: There was a point (not sure if it was when he graduated, or maybe earlier) that Ben Speas was ranked as Top Drawer Soccer's #1 player in his graduating class. Still shocked that he is leaving. It wasn't even a month ago that I was pieing him in the face Top Drawer put Ben at #1 before his senior year of HS, after a year at Bradenton, and before he suffered the final season-ending leg injury during Development Academy Finals that prevented him from playing that senior season at his HS (Stow?).

Ben's departure comes as a shocking development. He could start for any university in America. Does anyone have confirmation of Beaven's story? I know we have a couple folks close to the Speas family. Give us your piece.