Z.I.P.

There were a lot of bandwagon jumpers there, for sure. Just looking for a winner. But judging by what a lot of fans were wearing to the games, what they were talking about there, their demographic, I have to disagree. I was there (a common theme when we talk about soccer here, if you haven't figured out yet). The Caps (short for Whitecaps) were owned by retired pro player Mike Sweeney. They played in 1997 and 98 in what was then "D3", now the USL's Second Division. In 1997 they played at Byers Field. The led D3 in attendance, breaking single game and season attendance records. They played an exhibition against the Columbus Crew and packed the place. I had season tickets. (See, there it is again). In 1998 the league threw down a rule that teams could not play on artificial turf. Mike tried to find a natural turf stadium to play in, the team bounced around the county, and attendance plummeted. Unable to secure a suitable venue for 1999, Mike decided not to field a team. This was the first D3 team in Cleveland the league screwed up. So if the soccer program wasn't limited in the number of tickets it sold last year, you don't think they could have gotten 10,000 people for the NCAA Tournament and outdrew the E Mich game? The Force use to draw 20,000 for INDOOR soccer. They drew that many to the RB for an EXHIBITION game. Been there, saw that, still got the T-shirt. I've been watching soccer for 30 years, at the local level and world wide. You better bring more than chest pounding to get something like that past me... You go Spin! I gotta admit, I never heard of the Cleveland Whitecaps either, but I know I would have been in the stands with you if I hadn't moved before ITZ & RFR were born. Where is Byers Field, and what is capacity? Hard to imagine the Force playing to over 20k at the RB -- who was the opponent? The only Cleveland team I remember playing outdoors was the Stars (or Comets?) in the 70s. Was that the American Soccer League? The big red-head English striker from Akron was the Rookie of the Year in the league -- then it went into oblivion and took the entire US pro soccer game with it. I do know, because I followed a team in probably the same league (Hawaii Tsunami), that what you are calling "D3" was when minor league soccer was ruled by the United States System of Soccer Leagues (USSSL). The USL only came into existence sometime after 2000. And who knows what they call the minors today. So, how many people do you think would show up to watch an American football game in Nottingham? That's a real lol!

I'm sorry, but that might be one of the worst ideas I have ever heard. By letting every team in, you destroy the 4-month regular season in favor a couple week tournament. If the regular season wasn't meaningless enough, you want to reward bad teams with home court advantage? That certainly doesn't make any sense. Actually, you could conduct the tournament the way overseas football (i.e., "soccer") leagues (e.g., England's Footy Association - F.A.) conduct their league cup competition. The F.A. Cup (or the US Open Cup in the US/Canada) is played throughout the season, with teams taking maybe one week a month off from regular season games to participate in cup competition. Their is a random draw to determine home-away, until later in the tournament. You could even do it with Div's 1 & II combined -- how about rather than George Mason being the dark horse, it's Findlay or Indiana PA (it's Sweich time!). And this way, the season can actually be shortened. Of course, the league championships would be determined by regular season records rather than playoffs, so Dan Gilbert won't get his check. Aaahhhhhhh!

This isn't going to effect the MAC. I think you misread the article. The last four at-large teams will play each other for 11-12 seeds, while the last four automatic qualifiers will play each for 16 seeds. Neither of those will affect the MAC since we aren't getting at-large bids or 16-seeds. Well... if the MAC ever DOES get an at-large team, they can be certain they'll be playing in the play-in game. This not only sucks, but is completely irrational. The last four at-large selections are usually better teams than half the automatic-bid conference winners. Wait, Captain Stats taking off from Green, in 3,2,1...

Akron is a football city. Are there enough people who like football to fill a small stadium? Yes -- once a season...maybe.

USL folded, but I think MLS bought it up and has transformed it into some kind of farm system. I could be way off, but that's the vibe I get and the teams are still playing so they must be getting sponsored from somewhere. My understanding is that because there weren't enough teams left to field a legit league after the USL split, that the USSF intervened and brought clubs together under their brand. BUT -- FSC is still running their "USL Live" highlight/PR show, so maybe there is still a second minor league still under that title? However, FSC has not televised a single USL or whatever minor league game this season, and likely isn't going to.

Actually, it rings true -- to an extent. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blo...away-slave.html

This one is pretty sobering. Over the entire country, the Zips did not appear in the most popular group even once (Can't appeared twice). The only other MAC teams not to appear were Buffalo, WMU and EMU. We have a loooooot of work to do. Actually it was just UB, EMU and Akron. WMU was a might third in the Pacific! We love our Broncos out here. Interesting info: Rutgers is the most watched Big East team?!? And Marshall is #1 in the CUSA?! Randy Moss lives!

Pardon my ignorance...I haven't seen a "minor league" soccer game since the mid-90s, when it was called USSSL (The Tsunami here made it to the league semis with Billy Thompson and a couple of the Cameroons Indomitable Lions). I thought that "USL" had ceased to exist after the league folded last year. Do PDL teams make money? I guess since they don't pay their players, it makes it easier. lol. regarding the City Stars, I think they would have done better in USL-1 if they hadn't lost their manager and best players before the season.

Dan Gilbert called LeBron James "narcissistic". Isn't that like PT Barnum calling his tightrope walker "light-footed". Dan, I'm sorry when you took over, they didn't tell you you're paying a teenager a hundred million dollars to entertain your clients. This ain't the opera here Dan, it's much closer to WWE. Thought you would have gotten used to it by now. When Cleveland hosts Miami next year, I expect as many heat jerseys in the house as Cavs'.

How much time did it take you to post this thread showing just how peeved you are at your rivals for accomplishing something you don't give a %#@* about? Kind of reminds me of soccer haters going on ESPN's World Cup site, and declaring, "that isn't a sport, cause they don't score enough. And they have TIES! TIES!" I guess since it bothers people enough to write, they must care after all. Frankly a simple would have sufficed. Can we get a SOCCER SUCKS sign for ITZ & Co.?

Unfortunately, the "scholarship situation" in soccer cannot be determined by looking at the roster and finding how many seniors there are. With 9.5 schollies max, teams have to spread the wealth. Well, I guess that's another example of Obama's impact on sports! You'd have to get inside info to find out who is on an athletic scholarship, versus academics, versus paying their own way. You can find my PM box, if you want to share. And you know I am discreet with your insider info. Soccerboy414, where are you?

I think it should be live on WAKR, Channel 23, with Jerry Healey hosting. Has to be on Friday, though. Otherwise, KingKron is a total sellout!!!

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.