Z.I.P.

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).

Lance, I wont be drawn into yet again, but I'd start by "deep-six"-ing anyone who writes: "Dosen't matter!" (See top) Spelling does matter.

I know I was not the only ZN.o observer taking in the World Cup post-game on Sunday. How about studio host Bob Ley's remarkable comeback in explaining his guest's indescribable description of events at the France non-training session? "I thank you for your directness..." Apparently, they have different rules of conduct on French television. "Hello, ABC? This is the FCC calling."

May even be familiar with Zipsnation.org... So, what's Ianello's handicap? Hope I got that name right.

Let's put these in order of likelihood: 3,4,1,2. Now two of them are at least fifty-fifty to occur in the next 6 months. The other two, well... Sorry, I ain't holdin' my breath.

$30!!!! That's too funny! Do you think we could find the hidden subsidies that show Can't is actually paying people to attend?

There are few recruiting pipelines more interesting than the Jamaica-to-Akron one! Maybe we can get Michael Reghi to report this. That would be "irie".

I have a picture somewhere of his girlfriend, who was a cheerleader -- from UA basketball trip to HI in 1990. The epic, "I have Zippy's tail, where did you put his head" trip.

Now we're talking!

This makes sense. If Nebraska goes to the PAC-10, the are middle to low level team. If they go to the Big Ten, they will compete for the conference championship next year. GP1! ??? Did you mistakenly flip your conferences above? Nebraska might be a once-in-a-while contender in the Big-10, as they were in Big-12. In the Pac-10, they are a constant threat to win it all (even if SC were allowed to compete). We are talking about American football, aren't we? Nebraska is like the Boise State of the Great Plains. Except their WBB team was awesome last year, and VB ain't bad -- that's it. I'm sure our Great One follows the LadyHuskers fortunes.

Alright, now I'm beginning to understand why someone contradicted me when I predicted Yoram would be our leading scorer this year. Next question: Will he be VCU's leading scorer? Secondly, the loss of Josh will also be felt. Yes you can say, "He's just a backup goalkeeper", but we lose one third of our strength at that position, and someone who a year-and-a-half ago was the presumed starter. Kudos to Giffard, and VCU. With Shaka Smart down there, and now Giffard, this is becoming an interesting inter-regional rivalry. And, BTW -- this could help set up what I presaged yesterday -- with the vacancy for a backup, could it be MONSTER HANDS time in the net? What says you Uncle DREALSCOUT1?

To call anyone in England a "real man" is hilarious. Have you convinced any of those Pac Islanders on the Big Island that they should put down the pads because they aren't "real men"? Those Pac Islanders don't NEED no pads, Brah! You ask DREAL1SCOUT, Doze Polys bring dere own MONSTER HANDS to the game. Which makes me wonder, is Caleb in need of a backup goalkeeper?

Not a special snowflake here... But there is something comforting in that. Not being original or vastly different is acceptable; a feeling of shared destiny and humanity I guess. Now back to hating on Rand Paul. Working Man Rand Paul lost an Anthem. Can no longer play Rush songs note: Ayn Rand inspired some of their music. Just to show that Rush is treating all parties alike, they didn't even allow Tom Sawyer to use the song "Tom Sawyer"!