Z.I.P.

The city and campus police are fine with it. It's the state liquor people that like to wander around that you have to keep an eye out for. Yeah... if you are under 21. There are absolutely no restrictions on drinking at InfoCision unless you have glass, or are under age. Thought sure you were heading toward...Until I offered him one, then he radio'd to the rest of the force where the party was!

The scarves are going out this time to season ticket holders for both sides - men's and women's. Last year, I believe they only went for the men's tickets. I think that's a nice marketing point, or else Coach Pfau sticking up for his team and fans. Has anyone seen the other side? And, I got a letter from Coach saying I'd be called by a team rep seeking my reenlistment of support. If you need my number, its -- edit --.

Read it quick, before Brad Pitt ruins it!

Alright, I'll let the rest of the gang in on the story. But what happens in Vegas, is supposed to ... Well, anyway, the three 2011 grads will join their clubmate -- Alex Luevano-Hardin who arrives in August as frosh goalkeeper. The Vegas-Akron route is a result of a trip in the opposite direction. Former Akron women's team goalkeeping coach Mike Hamilton joined former Akron men's assistant Mario Sanchez on the staff at UNLV when Sanchez took the UNLV men's HC job after Ken Lolla's departure in 2005. While, I believe Hamilton is no longer coaching at UnLuv -- Sanchez having rejoined his former mentor in Louisville -- he IS the Club GK Director for the Neusport FC in the LV Valley. And that's more of the story, though with the connection being begun -- and with UA playing in the rebels' tourney in September (vs UC-Davis and LBSU), there is the potential for more story to unfold. What happens in Vegas ends up in Akron? I'm not talking about the swingers' convention, BTW.

Has anyone seen Darius Carter of Firestone HS? JJHuddle is talking about him, as if he's the top ranked Power Forward in the state for 2011. Is the position that weak, or is he being overlooked? --edit-- Now I see it says "No particular order". I saw him listed at top of list.

Brumbaugh, eh? Think this kid's father may have been in my class -- way back in the olden goldy days. Nice to see they still play good football in Bulldog Country. Check it out Dave -- is the family from the Uniontown side of town, by the gravel pits?

Here's my BIGGEST HOPE: Zips on Fox Soccer Channel in 2010!

Touchdown! Forwards? Stephan Jerome? Maybe he'll develop (he's set to debut at UCF this fall), and he looked good with the U17 in 09, but how do you leave a kid with the pure skill atheticism of McInerney off? They're the same age and I would look for the Philadelphia Union to be a better development ground than the CUSA. But that's just me... If he stays injury free, I really think Ampaipitakwong will have as good a chance as any Zip to play for USA pre-2014. U20 World Cup, 2012 Olympics will also provide venues to display skills. Zach and z00t probably know where the U20 is being played. U17 next year in Mexico.

A little bird told me, new stands will be constructed prior to this season. What that entails, I'm not sure. Little bird may have more to share. Will keep my head covered. --edit-- Nevah mind!!!

Good point. How often would you think you'd see a bad MAC team, but their QB was the best in the league? Which would tend to indicate that you are getting good blocking, good receiving, and scoring a lot of points? Yet, you are still one of the worst teams in the league? I don't see that happening either. I'm shocked as well, especially after seeing last week that another service didn't even list Patrick as one of the best 12 QBs in the league. Maybe this again reminds us of just how little these ratings matter. Personally, I don't see him becoming the QB we need to be successful. And I hope I am sooooo wrong about that. Wagner is a no-brainer. I see in him a lot of the same things I saw in guys like John Mackey and Phil Dunn over the years at LB. Good nose for the ball, and a solid tackler. We need a couple more like him. Hey, hey, hey, now! They pay these guys to be college football experts. Who are you or I to contradict, let alone ridicule the aristocracy of the sports intelligentsia? Gotta, go, I think PTI is coming on soon.

Bottom line for me, I'm convinced that the "popularity" of soccer in the USA is a self fulfilling prophecy. No sport is likely to become popular when it gets little to no publicity in comparison to other games. And soccer will not get more popularity when the people controlling access to the airwaves refuse to allow it more air time. There are of course exceptions to this rules, as there are in all things. Look at Seattle, where SSFC outdraws all teams except the American football club. And, if Pete Carroll gets his golden fingers going that may be the next milestone to fall. But for me and I feel, the future of the sport, the blacklisting of football/soccer by American media may not be such a bad thing, for as long as it remains outside the most popular, or "wealthy" US sports, it helps prevent the sport from being "Americanized" the way others have been with the introduction of ideas like "overtime" and "sudden death" in every game, and as you have emphasized, remaking the rules to create more goal scoring -- and worst of all! -- turning the game over from humans to machines to determine the outcome. There's a shot across the bow of ABC/ESPN and Mr Fowler, if I've ever made one! Excuse me.

I agree. NHL used to be boring/less exciting. They fixed this by making it more offensive, which in turn makes the game entertaining. They stopped all the clutching and grabbing, stopped the two line pass, increased the ice behind the net. I look for them to reduce the size of the goalies equipment this off season also. I like Eric Winston's thoughts: Hockey does a similar thing. When a game is tied at the end of regulation, it goes into a 4-on-4 overtime. Taking one man off each team creates open skating with more shots on net. Well, I agree with your dialog on the NHL. It has gotten more entertaining because the speed and athleticism of the players has been allowed to come out more with the added space. I think this would improve basketball too -- but it would be too hard to re-make the court size in relation to the building and stands. Now the guy's theory on soccer -- the idea that cutting out just one player from the game would create more scoring, I believe is disproven by experience. There are enough games in which each team gets a red card to prove or disprove -- and even more if you look at the Argentinian League! I don't think those games have more scoring, largely because the teams become more defensive-minded to avert the opponent. They are most likely to remove a midfielder, but keep the back line and forwards intact, go from a 4-4-2 to 4-3-2. But, I dont have the coaching experience to be certain. Another interesting experiment -- or research source for this hypothetical exercise -- is the 7-on-7 games that are frequently played in youth tournaments and training. Haven't watched enough to see how much, if any, more scoring takes place. I did watch a 5-on-5 tourney that Hawaii women's team played in Spring 2009, and there was "more" scoring than regular 45-minute halfs, but I think they played either 20 min halfs or 10 minute quarters. And...sand soccer has what -- about 5-10 goals by each team. Is it more entertaining? Only in the way some find futsal (indoor soccer) entertaining compared to the outdoor game. It can be fun to watch, but you can't call it "soccer".

Dave, you could have prefaced your entire post with that statement. Give credit where credit is due. Green is quite the cultural mecca. During my time in Akron I've found Mariachi Loco(a local chain Mexican restaurant) to quench my thirst for international flare. And if that isn't enough, there's an Applebee's AND a Friday's right down the road. Green, the cultural crossroads of Summit County. Yeah, but that's just you! I lived there when the cultural highlight was jumping into the sand pits in the summer.

Well, Dave, in football, or if you will, "soccer", you get three points for a win, and one for a draw. My favorite "sports" (and I've always considered football much more than that), are football and hockey (preferably ice). I may be repeating myself, but if basketball wants to improve, they need to change the rules to add the posiition that hockey and football have -- a goalkeeper. I've always considered football as just another "sport," and second to basketball in terms of entertainment. If you don't think football fits in a category with other "sports," I'm intrigued to learn under what category you think it does fit? As far a having a goalkeeper in basketball, that would do a great job of driving down final scores and losing my interest. This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, as I would end up spending less time on sports and earn massive bonus points with my wife. Aloha Dave, How 'bout Maradona and los Celestinos?! John Harkes made the comment at the end of the game with El Tri, that he wonders if Diego wears a uniform in the locker room. You've heard of ballplayers being called "a coach on the field" (court, etc.)? Well Maradona is like a player on the sideline! Yeah -- he sucks as a coach, but no one can motivate his players like this guy is doing. No other coach is looked up to by his men the way the legendary El Dieguito is. Here's my response to your points: The problem with basketball is the game presents no inherent difficulties to the offensive side. Anyone can throw up a ball through a hoop -- and the rules don't allow the defense any significant advantage in stopping that from happening. When the offense has such an advantage in scoring -- especially when the talent reaches where it is in top-25 college and NBA games today -- I lose interest. A team that doesn't put defense first is not one I enjoy watching play BB. I almost never watch the NCAA tournament after the round of 16 (I think they call it something else in BB, I forget?), unless there's a Butler or George Mason still around. Imagine, if hockey players just raced from one end of the ice to the other putting the puck in the net as fast as they could, and only the five field players could defend them. Then hockey would devolve into basketball. And when I said that "football" is much more than a sport, let's be sure we're talking about the same game! I meant the world's game of football -- not America's. Football/soccer is the only sport that truly represents a microcosm of life itself. You might want to pick up a copy of the book, "How Soccer Explains the World". While I disagree with the author's global politics (his presentation of Red Star Belgrade's hooligans becoming the backbone of the Serbian nationalist death squads and militia only serve to deepen the lingering demonization and wounds that brought about Clinton's bombing campaign), the stories do show how football (I'm sure many in Green must call it that by now) raises the public's emotional passion the way only one game can, while allowing the game to serve as proxy to military and economic warfare in determining nations' place in the world pecking order. Surely you must know that a nation that plays great football is truly a great civilization. That's how the world looks at it. Got any good new restaurants in Green these days? Cuisine and music are other activities beside football that represent global passion and competitiveness. Is that Mexican place, La Carta I think was the name, still over on Canton Rd? They used to have excellent chiles relleno. Mmmm mmmm.

The one advantage that Bob Bradley has going for him -- (the only advantage?) is what W. Bush called "the soft bigotry of low expectations" (who wrote that for him, I wonder? ). The USA was arguably less well prepared than any team in the tourney. How do you give up soft goals in the first 15 minutes in three of four games if you're well prepared? I think it was Erik Wynalda doing the Chivas v FC Dallas game last night who asked the same questions, but in a very gentlemanly manner. Bradley is not the only one to blame in the US Soccer administration, but how, at this point in history -- after 15 years of MLS play can the US have developed no world-class strikers? And how could a defense that has been playing together for so long have allowed such easy opportunities to the opposition? Let's go ahead and make wholesale substitutions! Do we have a hope for four years from now -- and beyond? If we do, it is on the backs of the youth. We have to bring people like McInerny along (slowly, yes, but better than we did with the Freddy Adus who proceeded him). USSoccer should be involved in getting players like McInerny, Gil, and the other kids who are "too good for college" placed at good European (or South American) training grounds, where they'll play consistently, at least with reserve squads, working their way up to top leagues like Serie A, La Liga, DFB and the Premiership/Championship. At this point, I fear Jozy Altidore has been wasted to history. AND, I really believe we must give the same serious look at the national youth program. Bringing the Colombian in to coach was a great move -- and not a minute too late. However his one World Cup with the U17s was a failure. We have to have a longer-term plan than four-years at a time. Sunil Gulati's own job has got to be under pressure at this point. What has HE accomplished in about 6 years at the helm of American soccer? The good thing for Zips fans is that in four years time, we could well have several former players with USMNT caps. Follow the play of Kitchen this year and next. Look to see if Sarkodie has a break out year. Valentin is on track at this point to be a future star in the country. And looking at how the US backfield has played for 8+ years, they could get very serious looks before 2014 in Brasil.

Sorry, but the one I'm waiting to here the apology from is named Bob Bradley!

Well, Dave, in football, or if you will, "soccer", you get three points for a win, and one for a draw. My favorite "sports" (and I've always considered football much more than that), are football and hockey (preferably ice). I may be repeating myself, but if basketball wants to improve, they need to change the rules to add the posiition that hockey and football have -- a goalkeeper.

Next month, the film Out of Place premiers at the Hawai'i Surf Film Festival. Is that you Dude? Are you making an appearance? Why don't you answer my PMs?

I bet Nate Linhart will be torn between the two as well. Okay, I give. Or do you mean, like Steve Sweich, etc. etc. (particularly as of late) he's a Ghana? Gotta admit though, I was wondering the same thing. If he roots for the USA, does he lose his royal inheritance? I'm guessing, since he has about a dozen or more caps with Team USA, that that's where his loyalty lies. I wonder if Ampai will be playing for _______________ (hate to be politically incorrect, so I'll admit my ignorance as to which nations he could represent) in the next round of qualifying.

HEY! I've found yet another reason to love the World Cup. Glenn Beck Hates It! (predictably)

w00t, Zavaleta's final choices came down to Akron, Duke, Wake and Indiana. Congratulations to Team Yeagley. Nice interview from last fall. Interesting, his uncle is long-time MLS player Greg Vanney. Looking ahead? Here's Top Drawer's 2012 Top-100. I know that #2 and #4 have to be Akron's top targets -- if they haven't chosen yet. Oliver comes from the same club system as Perry Kitchen and Zavaleta, so I'm sure Caleb and his pal in Hoosierland will be battling it out again . Souder, who is the top talent at Premier Soccer Academy is originally I believe from New England somewhere. And I'm still trying to find out if #3 is related to the Speaker of the House.

Kyle Culbertson Voila! (Another smart kid!)

Thanks Zach. Super quick analysis: Duke and Indiana score great by grabbing Nick Palodichuk and Eriq Zavaleta. Caleb! How could you let those hated Hoosyers get that kid?? Surprising: Xavier with verbals from Will Walker of Crew Academy and a kid from Wisconsin who's scored 125 HS goals in three years!

Ummmmm...Okay. But, answer the out-of-towners' question: Where did you GET those things? Did Yoram Mwila bring them along from Zambia? And where can I get my own? You know, after last year's idea with the scarf to season ticket buyers, we could keep pace by offering our own Zipuzela in appropriate colors with Zippy's image or a "Fear The Roo" sticking out the top. Now, if Waddell were still around, the idea would already be stolen, but can someone pass this along to the brilliant Akron marketing folks? You know Caleb's #, don't you?

Zach...Your source??? I'd like to spread the good news, but I need some confirmation first. Sorry not to see Erik Zavaleta -- yet at least. And furthermore -- about half our club did not play HS soccer -- too busy making a name for themselves nationally and internationally with their club "Crews". And...El Paso, TX is the furthest West Caleb & Co. have wandered. To continue recruiting dominance -- or to get better -- we need to go "no borders" in recruiting. There are a couple kids in Hawai'i who could help. Oh, BTW -- yes, Caleb was already on hand before Rhoads showed up. It was Mike & Mike who put together the recruiting committee, with a lot of help from their UVa connex (including Bruce Arena).