Z.I.P.

Fantastic to see Denzil Antionio's return to the home of his best action. It was a joy to watch his play on the pitch at Lee Jackson. I thought I had seen his name as a coach with the Dallas Texans Red, the top national boys youth club. I'm sure there was an ex-Zip coaching there someplace.

Definitely, best example would be Scott Caldwell. I don't think anyone would rank him very high nationally, but he fits Porter's system well and look what happened last post-season! Ummmm... Well, here's from Caldwell's UA bio. Member of U-18, U-17, U-15 and U-14 U.S. national youth teams ... ninth-ranked high school prospect in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer ... 2008 Parade All-American ... three-time NSCAA Youth All-American (2006, ’07, ’08) OK, he missed the U-16 national team, but I think if I were a coach, I wouldn't mind having such a lowly-ranked player on my team.

Hey, I met this guy before. He's a cool guy. What's he doing with Ianello?

Indian Valley, as in Bobby Huggins? I went to Tuscarawas Valley, but like you, live in Brunswick now. born in dennison, raised in uhrichsville, graduated from tuscarawas central catholic hs (saints)....graduated two w/ bachelor degrees from UA '93...........currently live in dover......oh yea & worked at hilarities! Any of you guys know whatever happened to the girl from Tusky CC who played on the Chaminade WBB team a year or two ago?? Might as well spread the discussion.

TDS has an interesting, if somewhat critical, take on the US U17MNT's recent performance: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/players-to-...l-full-of-holes Does anyone know what youth goalkeepers Caleb & Co are looking at in the 2012 class? That should be the class that we pick one up, considering our roster -- unless CP can get a 4-year starter. Of course that happens, sometimes.

I'm amazed that WMU is competitive in the West this year, given their losses from a year ago. I've always considered Hawkins one of the elite coaches in the MAC -- however, he has never gotten over the "hump" and claimed a title -- he's better at taking below-average talent and making them play over their heads. I suspect they are still a year away from being a serious contender in Cleveland. What do people think?

How many roster spots do we have? Typical Porter here! I don't know but these two bring the 2011 recruits to eleven. Congratulations on beating me to the punch on this one Bisbee. I read something about Bonilla, from Gwinnett Soccer Association last week, but didn't have time to research. I think he may be from the same club as Clint Mathis. I have to check with Clint's former coach, who's now skipper of Honolulu SC Bulls. My first knowledge of the transfer (Quinn). However, I can I guess let the cat out of the bag, since it doesn't appear he will be a Zip: The English player, whose coach was on here and Bigsoccer last Summer attended the January Elite camp, but apparently won't be attending UA. He also, I understand, had pro options in the states and trained with a MLS side. So are you saying that Quinn won't be a ZIP? Yeah, Z.I.P. Is this Quinn coming here or no? Quinn is not the player I was referring to. I don't know anything about Quinn besides what I've read here. Seems however, that he can contribute to the team in some way, given his Bradley experience.

Here is the latest from Bonilla's hometown paper. He played on US U-14/15 boys before injuries. This speaks to his skills: “His core strength is good, but I think his first touch is what gets him out of those situations,” Collins Hill boys coach Drew Prentice said. “He’s almost impossible to dispossess. His first touch almost always gets him out of trouble. And his speed from zero to seven, eight yards, it’s tough for people to keep up with that athletically. And he’s almost faster with the ball than without it.” That's good. Who will he be competing against at CenterMid next two-four years?

Here's the write-up from the 2010 ODP National Finals -- played in Phoenix (Bisbee, was DeAndre there?). Dominic Bonilla scored and assisted for Georgia: 1993 Boys Georgia and Minnesota faced off in the first game for the 1993 Boys. Minnesota started strong with good pressure on the Georgia defense which culminated with Andrew Rorick sending a shot off the post 20 minutes in. However, Georgia would strike first in the 33rd when a failed Minnesota clearance left the ball in front of Dominic Bonilla who slammed it into the back of the net, leaving the score at 1-0 for Georgia at the half. Georgia maintained that lead until the 87th before extending it to two when Bonilla set up Iain Smith who finished with a nice curling shot to the far post. Minnesota grabbed one back in added time after a long free kick into the box was finally sent into the net by Eddosa Muhamed, but the game would end 2-1 in favor of Georgia. California South needed just 12 minutes to assume a two goal lead against Pennsylvania West, Steve Palacios and Ricardo Gutierrez netting for the westerners. Substitute Fernando Hernandez then took responsibility for a penalty kick he drew in the 58th, making it 3-0, before Zachary Batteer scored a penalty of his own for Pennsylvania West in the 88th. Hernandez would grab the goal back a minute later as the Californians finished with a 4-1 victory.

An article appeared in last week's Economist magazine, that shining light of Anglo-American neo-liberalism, regarding the potential for Rugby to become a significant sport in the states. I was only mildly interested, having once trained for the Honolulu Harlequin's annual international tournament with the ORCAS (O'ahu Rugby Club of the Armed Services) but never taken the field. Reading the piece, the final paragraph seems to present the statement meant to bring out American reaction: “Americans like combat sports and good athletes,” says Nigel Melville, the head of USA Rugby. True. Yet they also have a penchant for sports that promote superstars and breed controversy, both on and off the field. With its emphasis on teamwork and fair play, rugby doesn’t quite fit that mould." Perhaps that's the reason why football (or "soccer", as some refer to it) is still second fiddle in North America. Too much teamwork and fair play, not to mention too little time for commercial interruption.

How many roster spots do we have? Typical Porter here! I don't know but these two bring the 2011 recruits to eleven. Congratulations on beating me to the punch on this one Bisbee. I read something about Bonilla, from Gwinnett Soccer Association last week, but didn't have time to research. I think he may be from the same club as Clint Mathis. I have to check with Clint's former coach, who's now skipper of Honolulu SC Bulls. My first knowledge of the transfer (Quinn). However, I can I guess let the cat out of the bag, since it doesn't appear he will be a Zip: The English player, whose coach was on here and Bigsoccer last Summer attended the January Elite camp, but apparently won't be attending UA. He also, I understand, had pro options in the states and trained with a MLS side.

Please keep "Andy" on retainer. I think, personally, that Akron can use a Brek Shea look-a-like. But that's just me.

I'm sure coach Porter will be pleased. Might help recruiting. Is the game on ESPN or Fox Soccer Channel?

Well I can tell you personally that our camps are nationally known as my high school freshman cousin from Tallahassee, FL is coming up for two sessions this summer. The even crazier thing is, he committed to going before even knowing that two other teammates from his high school team were going as well. Now THAT is impressive! PORTER PORTER PORTER, Along that same line, I was watching the brother of Louisville's #16 play in the Hawaii HS state tournament yesterday, and talking to another player's father, he said his son's dream was to play for Akron. Of course he has no chance to do that, but he can at least learn from the best by attending the Akron Soccer Camps! I bet he better get his app in quick though!

I know others are going to disagree with me, but the NIT, CBI, CBA, etc., etc., etc. just don't do it for me. We've been there, we've done that. The games are kind of interesting, and it is nice to have at least some post-season action, but the final 4 of the NIT doesn't have the excitement factor of even a play-in game in the big-dance. NCAA's or bust for me. I've had enough of the consilation prizes. That's only becase you knew I would read this! I HATE the NCAA tournament! It is a suckers' dance where teams like Akron have their girl stolen away by a bully wearing a BCS varsity jacket. The best potential thing that could happen to Akron is that they get into one of the "other" post-season tournaments, and get a chance to beat multiple "Creightons" -- Northern Iowa, Virginia Commonwealth, (maybe Dayton) type teams that are our equals and rivals. That is the next stepping stone, before this program has a realistic chance to get into and make a real run in the NCAA tournament. Maybe THEN I will get excited. But PLEASE, don't make me watch Villanova play Wisconsin!

Geez, don't be so nice, people are going to think all Zips fans are! But seriously, who would we contact at Akron to make these available? I already am a fully paying member of Zipzone...seems a bit much to buy season tickets when I live in Boston!!! Season tickets are actually quite reasonable. I only got to use mine once last year but I buy them to help support the team. They want to keep these scarves exclusive to their season ticket holders, but as I think has been mentioned before even buying the cheapest ticket to support the ladies ($40) will still net you a scarf. Mildly expensive scarf but dirt cheap support of the teams. Isn't there a different soccer scarf that can be purchased in the team store as well? I'm too close to having graduated to worry about giving back to any kind of school. Student loans are my charity right now :-) I am bidding on that Ebay scarf, however. Ha, ha! Seems like my plan to make a killing is getting started, now that the bidding has begun. Now I should be able to put my other scarf on the site starting at $100.00 and should make double that. And to imagine, people are GIVING away stuff to Texans! For shame.

Thank you Zips for giving me a reason to start paying attention again! If the Bracketbuster were being announced over again, Akron would get one of the feature TV games. Strong finish guys...then...maybe another West Regional appearance? Sorry, but with the Portland regional and soccer tourney in Cali, we're becoming used to the Zips on the Left Coast.

I know next to nothing about the Premier Development League, except that it is dominated by college-age players -- kind of a soccer version of the Cape Cod League, I guess. The Chicago Fire Premier is also mentioned on the web. Does that mean MLS Academies have teams playing?

I don't get it. Everyone who purchased a season ticket (men's or women's) got a scarf. I expect the tradition to continue in 2011 -- hopefully with a "National Champions" reference emblazoned thereupon. I'd just wait and buy the tix. Women's tickets only cost $40 I think -- or maybe it was 50.

Monterrey? I thought it was to be in multiple venues. I'd go if I had a team of bodyguards. Of course, you're correct Z.I.P. I don't know why I said Monterrey. It is in Mexico at multiple venues, and I agree about the bodyguards. US Qualifies for FIFA U-17 World Cup Without confirmation, I'm confident it will be televised in the USA. The last two U-17 WCs have been rebroadcast on ESPNU from the world of FIFA-TV. On the one hand, it's marginally professional content; Excellent camera work; adequate commentary. On the other hand, you have to suffer through the beginning/end/segues that remind one of TV on The Prisoner's island.

Who wants to meet May 14 or July 10th for the BIG derby? I think I might be headed to PDX. Zakuani vs Nagbe. BTW -- Where is Ubiparipovic? Back to Bosnia? I don't think he has played for them internationally before, so I suspect he was trying to become a US national. Anyone heard? Strange.

Monterrey? I thought it was to be in multiple venues. I'd go if I had a team of bodyguards.

Nice article. Nice to see the deference/respect shown to the grandparents for raising this kid as their own. And: “[Porter] said ‘We are excited for you to come in at right back,” Yedlin said regarding the text message the coach sent him. “Just keep working on your defending one-v-one and attacking one-v-one.” It's so good to see we have at least one coach who understands how texting works!

GP1 Buddy, the only "smart" comment you are going to get on this issue is liable to sound like a smart alecky one. The idea that you give up constitutional rights by working for the democratic sector is laughable. Unless there is some national security/public safety context involved (which is the reason why I as a military civilian worker and health and safety workers are prevented from striking -- not from collectively bargaining pay and privileges) it's unbelievable that some hot-headed pol like the newly enshrined Gov of Wisconsin would use budgets as an opportunity to destroy basic rights and responsibilities of government. Period.

PAY ATTENTION. We are talking about Akron WBB!!! I dare anyone to find a D-1 program with fewer wins over the past 30 yrs.