Z.I.P.

Maybe you should pull your head out..! (just kidding, hehe) Read any of my posts and make that your poll. 2010 On another pole note, I know several lovely Cant cheerleader lasses moonlighting as Pole-dancers if anybody has an upcoming birthday/bachelor party. After last year, I just don't have faith! Now I was there in the time of Danny Ruff and Jack Beidelman. And the Grantland Rice Bowl and some guy named Bradshaw. Glory is possible, but fleeting. akzips71, You bring up a fascinating truism. Forty-plus-years have passed since those days, and Akron would like to believe it has moved up to "Big-Time College Football", but the truth is, we are at basically the same relative spot in the pecking order that we were in during the College Division, and later Division I-AA days. How much energy and $$$ have we spent to keep running in place on this rat trap? And what effect could that $$$ have had, if it had been spent to better the academic standing of the university?

If you think Zarek was an omission you have to count it Barson. Started every game as well and had a Goal and Assist. He also is with the U20 national team. An oversupply of All-America type players. I guess they will have to soothe their egos by going on the pitch and bringing back a ring.

Good article by Dohrmann. Next year is the U-17 (and I think U-19) World Cup, in Mexico. A good chance that future Zips Will Trapp and Bryan Gallego will be part of the U17s, as well as recruiting target Andrew Souder of Premier Academy -- now playing for Crew Academy. Zarek Valentin will be a star at MLS level, and will be quickly replaced by another star. Anyone who saw Perry Kitchen plan in last year's U17 WC saw what a fantastic long passer he is out of the back. Look forward to seeing him lead counterattacks beginning in mere weeks, if he can earn a spot in the lineup.

I hope they don't hire Bob Bradley. That would start the "Porter to head USMNT" speculation!

Hmmmmmm...So I take it Dreal isn't heading to North Carolina for the start of soccer season???

Zach, I think you should register for that site, just to ask this dipwad how he can stand to work so close to such a pit. And to express sympathy for such low self esteem. You think he's a Wake alum? Maybe the Great GP1 can offer therapy -- or at least some insight to his thinking.

How does this Examiner blog work anyway, with regard to the city cited? Every time I've ever seen it, it has "Examiner Birmingham" displayed to me -- whether I'm at work or at home (I did just open the Examiner Akron, and that's what it read). I usually use it to find info on the Seattle Sounders, in fact the best Sounders blog -- put together by their PR Dept Director is on Examiner (Birmingham, that is). Welcome to Bama?

Is Rossi from the same high school as Joe Tuzze? Tuzze was from either Riverside or Lakeside HS -- and near Scranton. Carbondale I think is the name of the town -- I have a friend in San Diego from there.

"...Tailback Alex Allen is almost fully recovered..." Damn, I thought he was 100 percent?!? I might have to take one of my wins away from my prediction. IMO having a healthy AA this season is important in the win/loss column. I felt that way last year too. How is Bain's back feeling?

Yes, but how do you REALLY feel Cap'n?? Please show us your inner-most emotions about the Golden flushes potential to become road kill for eguins and company!

Hats off to the ol Roo Crew, Go Zips and 72 Roo. Anyone know what's gotten into KD?

Could it be a mistake? He's been listed as an LB during all of last season and in the off-season until just a few days ago. If someone changed his position to TE, you would think either it's legit or a pretty obvious mistake (wrong player?). We'll see if he stays listed as a TE. BTW, I was looking back at his old scout and rivals bios. I knew we beat out Hawaii for him, but I didn't realize Boise St had offered him! Link Edit: His father was an assistant at Boise a while back. Also, Will did catch a game winning TD against Garfield in his senior year. As I recall, Boise came in very late in the recruiting, after he had verballed, or at least shown his favor, to Akron. He cancelled a visit to Hawaii I understand.

I didn't see it, but here's an article with more detail. The answer to your question is, Yes. Article So Valentin played -- then took a late flight to Belfast!

The championship match vs FC Delco (Philly area) was televised last Saturday night on FSC, but I only caught the end -- final 20 minutes maybe, not knowing the Crew would be playing. However, the Crew roster features four Zips, and I saw Chad Barson knock away the potential tieing goal in the final seconds to ensure the title for CCA. Did anyone else see this match? Did anyone besides Chad get into the final? The U19 division in youth soccer normally is composed of "pick-up" players, out of school for the Summer, who haven't played together for over a year, and sometimes not at all. However, with a MLS Academy team like this one, that might be different. Many of them were playing PDL ball this summer (and Valentin is away on US U20 duty), and also possibly the US Development League, where the Crew (U18) finished in second place in their division to Chicago Fire Academy in the regular season.

Interesting development not mentioned -- and I think confirmed on UA's roster: Perry Kitchen is getting a lot of PT in the midfield. With so many fullbacks, it sure helps the all-everything rookie to have multiple talents and flexibility. As I recall, he played the right back for USA last year at U-17 WC -- though Wilmer Cabrera gave him just one-half of actual pitch presence.

You'd be surprised how many student-athletes have kids. I'm sure your right about that. I just don't understand why this kid is making things difficult for himself. A baby is just one more obstacle and distraction. He has talent, but I question his work ethic and priorities. If he backs up the girl and kid the way he needs to, and never sees a D1 FB game, seems to me his priorities are fine. Good luck to them all. Go Zips. ++ on that!! But I bet one guy in a grey vest won't necessarily agree.

The greatest showing by a MAC football team ever...was a loss. That about says it all.

Taking lessons from Serena Williams?

Praise from SAF! I was thinking maybe he was referring to Kei Kamara, who had a goal and assist, but Teal WAS playing the central striker. We'll take it!

For those who could not catch the Fox Soccer Channel national broadcast of last night's Seattle Sounders 2-1 win over Colorado Rapids at Qwest Field, it was quite a night for the 2nd year Forward, #11. FSC gave Zakuani a long interview in the pre-game, catching on everything from his youth in the Congo, to his move to London, to the moped accident that nearly ended his football career, as well as his recruitment by Akron. Then came THE GAME, and Zaki put on a show for Seattle with a career game, scoring both Sounder goals early in the first half -- and very nearly making it a hat trick with a tap-in goal that was waved off-sides midway through the second half. Looks like Seattle are starting to round into shape to try and make a playoff run. Nate Jaqua returns from his long injury -- in fact I think he played in the second half lastnight. I give the Sounders a 50-50 shot at making the playoffs. And as Real Salt Lake showed last year, if you get in by a point, you can win it all.

Public relations is not the job of the football coach. At least it's not at Notre Dame. Uh-oh, did that AD Dude tell RI, that at Akron, PR was part of the job description for the FB coach? Welcome to Not South Bend coach.

I don't think the 2011 class is complete. The ACC powers are making a strong comeback against the new boys on the block. Md., Wake, UVa and Duke -- and Yeagley Jr at IU -- have great hauls so far. But it ain't over yet! One thing it seems -- the rest of the nation is falling behind the ACC, Big Ten and Akron. And considering the great players on the West Coast, it shouldn't be that way. BTW -- New York Red Bull and Kansas City Wizards (Sinisa U. and Tel B.) are in action on national TV on Saturday versus English Premier League teams. KC plays Man U, Red Bulls vs Bolton I believe.

I know it is rude to answer a question with a question, but there is no malice in the following question. Why does a dog lick his balls? BCS schools know you have to take at risk kids to compete at that level. If you are going to take at risk kids, you had better put a bunch of money into supporting their difficulties in the classroom. BCS schools have a ton of money to throw around. Fans at MAC schools are immature and think at risk kids have poor character; therefore, they should not be recruited leaving the MAC in the pathetic state it is today. If we had the academic support we needed, we could hold onto better players. Instead, they come here for a year or two and flunk out because of the lack of help. Then the coach gets fired...then they start the "rebuilding" process. Fans of BCS schools understand they need to take at risk players. These fans are willing to look the other way at minor offenses off the field as long as their team is winning. Hell, they are willing to look the other way on major offenses as long as they are winning. Talent is hugely important. If it wasn't, people wouldn't focus on recruiting the way they do. You need talent to win. If you can't hold onto your talent, you lose. It's very simple. Yes -- but I was referring to non-athletes (see original post). Oh, well.

Some people might still remember the first Spring soccer schedule when Caleb Porter arrived. I can still recall the remarks about Akron playing Rio Grande! We've moved up to Michigan and Maryland. Maybe the football team will scrimmage ND in the future.

This is especially true in baseball and tennis where 7 on 7 drills result in the field seeming fairly empty or the court quite full, respectively. Found out that Youngstown State was never stopped on offense, but considering Nicely threw 6 touchdown's I find it hard to believe Akron was ever stopped on offense either. Sounds like each team's defense was pretty ugly. Out of curiosity only -- is this a "Passing League" game? The Honolulu high schools have a 7v7 Summer Passing League. No running plays or running backs used.