Z.I.P.

After reading all the soccer blogs at MLSdraft.net, soccerbyives.com and especially the Dallas Hoops blog www.3rddegree.net it appears that Steve Zakuani is having trouble beating physical defenders at camp. According to the observers, Steve is not finishing, and is relying on his pure speed, which will always be his advantage, but he is not strong enough to make his way through a crowd. Because of this, coaches have moved Steve to a right midfield position, to take advantage of his pace, and it could be there where he plays this season in MLS. That fact threatens Steve's hanging onto the #1 pick spot by Seattle, as Maryland's 6-5 fullback Gonzalez is wowing everyone in camp. Doubtful that he would fall beyond #2, which would put Steve-o with FC Toronto.Also, I have to reassess the financial position of the Generation Adidas program after reading the article on 3rddegree that Steve may be the highest-paid GA adidas selection ever. According to the blog, he signed for around $175-180k. That's alot more than I thought was available. Spend it wisely young man.

Having seen Buffalo three times two weeks ago, my feeling is they can't afford to have an off shooting night. If Akron's defense plays to their ability, I predict a win, though not an easy one. Rebounding may be the deciding factor. Neither team has size, but Bulls are as scrappy as they come. Akron 68-60

Per Wikipedia, the vote is by all Division I men's soccer head coaches.Speculation: 1) Akron has been a good club for a long time, but has only been an elite (top-10) program for just basically three years (guess what that coincides with), while Wake has played top flight ball for decades. 2) Coaches in the East and Midwest may be familiar with Akron's quality, and Steve, but outside the region, they're more of an unknown. 3) There's a bias, conscious or unconscious, for coaches to vote for American players over imports. 4) Wake was ranked #1 in the nation for the entire regular season. Tracy received sympathy votes from those who felt Wake deserved to win the team title.

Hey L.A., there's this little chain of islands, just off the coast... Also: Zeke's Mom, Does Zeke da Zip have his own page on Youtube yet? I've spent the last few nites watching videos from Akron soccer and our upcoming Major League Soccer #1 draft pick, Steve Zakuani. Steve has a page where you can send messages, along with comment on his vids. Can't wait to see Zeke's Greatest Hits!And, Zipgrad 1990, I loved your reference to Zeke's "Quadriple Double". Reminds me of one of Fred Sanford's favorite beverages, the QuadRipple Double. Maybe in the future, it will be known as the Quad-Zipple-Double! Go Get 'em Zeke! I'll have to buy up the supply of next month's ESPN the Magazine from the local bookkstores for my familly Around the Globe.

Well, for me, this is a bigger disappointment than what happened to the team in the snow. Marcus Tracy of Wake Forest was awarded the Hermann Trophy by Missouri Athletic Club just minutes ago. I am floored, and flabbergasted at this oversight. The numbers are just not there for Tracy this year. He's a great player, yes, but no one came close to putting up the numbers Steve did against excellent competition. In the early season, Zak scored more than one goal for every two shots taken -- that's amazing. Tracy plays in the ACC. Zakuani plays in the MAC. That is the only way I can comprehend this decision. It's a slap in the face less to Steve, than to the league he performs in. It can't help but hurt recruiting. Let me try and raise my jaw off the floor.

Catch the video collection beneath Zakuani's profile on mlsdraft.net. I could stay up all night watching this stuff. Oh, my God, look what time it is! Boss, wait till you see the show Steve puts on! The end of the theOhio State game is outrageous, and then you can watch Caleb address the Rowdies. This is wild stuff. Also, read the comments. Twellman? Someone compares Steve to Henry. You never know, baby. You just never know. http://www.mlsdraft.net/?q=node/9&id=40

Dis is Soooooooooo flippin' awesome, like Duuuuuuuude.http://www.mlsdraft.net/?q=node/144ESPN's soccer analyst has the lineups for this coming week's MLS Combine teams, and guess what -- Akron has not two but THREE members on Club Adidas Power Swerve!!! So who is member #3, joining Steve-o and the Bushmeister? Head Coach Caleb Porter!!!!! That's who. A grand coup for our #1 Duuuuuuuude. Like wow, you da man, CP.Matches will be played Saturday thru Tuesday, and this WILL play a big part in deciding who goes #1, who gets drafted, and who is left for the USL.Oh, and if you didn't notice on the site, Our man, number Double-One has risen to the top of the draft board. Omar Gonzales, out of Maryland is a fine defender, but on this occasion, he'd better "Fear the Roo". Steve-a-Roo dat is. Oh, yeah! Did you see dat roo go past dat turtle? :blink: Hoooweee!!!!Hurry and sign him, Seattle, so I can be the first in HA-Waiiah wit da Sounders jersey. Hey, L.A. Zip -- how bout givin us a combine review?

Is there a website for club sports at Akron? Is there still a rugby club team? I happened across a report of BG's rugby win over WMU, and wondered about UA. Kevin Whelan (sp?) was a Green HS grad (year ahead of me I believe) who went from the Zips ruggers to the USA Eagles in the early 80s.

Damn if you didn't convince me with your reasoning, Cap'n. In fact, this logic is so sterling that I just called up Keith Dambrot and requested that he toss Humpty, Stewart, Bardo, B McKnight and McNees off the team. I expect that will signal the need for improved team unity which leads to an undefeated MAC season.Kangaroo for AD!

Well, if some other guy from Akron can get the treatment, why not the highest paid Generation Adidas signee -- per the rumour mill (don't you love my English spelling?). Being the highest paid GA 'kid' by MLS (I guess that designation's available to anyone who hasn't consumed their entire college eligibility) gets Steve likely something in the mid-5-figure range WOW! Let's all go to Swensons. Anyway, all the US football/socccer bloggers have Steve going either No. 1 to Sigi Schmid and the expansion Seattle Sounders (better for my travel budget from the isles!), or #2 by Mo Rocka and FC Toronto. I'm pulling for the expansion side, as Steve wouold get major PT I believe, and I think Sigi would know better how to bring the kid up to speed. Meanwhile the writers are having a time trying to find someone to compare Zaks to. Is he more like Taylor, or is he more like Landy? Let's have a poll. Everyone participate. I know he's not more like Brian Ching, still a legend at Kamehameha.Check out the goings-on at www.mlsdraft.net (click on Zak's name on the draft list for some righteous video of the budding Super-duperstar and some of his one-time Akron teammates) and the big-time soccer blogosphere at www.soccerbyives.net and www.3rddegree.net/ga-trackingAnd look for our new ad on FSC, tonight at 2:37 a.m. Right after the guy selling "100% pure oxygen".

If memory serves (and perhaps this goes to show how short some memories are, or how little attention is paid to anything outside American football and men's basketball), this has already been done -- but instead of a coach, it was done with student-players. Wahine Zip basketball coach Jody Kest decided that some unwritten and unspoken law was broken when some of her players approached coaches from other schools for a fall-back position, and as George Costanza would say, yada, yada and the next thing you know nearly the entire starting undergrad lineup is playing for other schools, like West Virginia Wesleyan (including arguably the best recruit in school history, a former Miss W Va basketball). IMHO, this attitude on the part of university officials is not just arrogant, but threatens the legal standing of their institutions. University employees and students are covered by the same constitutional provisions of free communication and free association as all other citizens. Contract law notwithstanding. What does the esteemed future councilor Mr Razor think of this?

You mean to tell me there's still such a thing as the Bill of Rights in America? Goodness!

RealScout,I have seen Phil Tonga's name in regards to University of Hawai'i recruiting. At least one teammate, Genesis Fonoimoana has verballed to UH.I tried sending an IM, but it didn't work. Can you tell us more info about yourself and Phil, or try IM'ing me? Thanks from Zip in Paradise, Honolulu HI.

Anybody want to bet that Dead Horse is the nom de plume of a certain Kangaroo? For the record, this thread (and discussion) has been beaten like one, Cap'n.

How sad it is that you have such a low opinion of the world's most popular cultural, political and spiritual activity: football, or soccer. The University of Akron is an American collegiate power in The Beautiful Game. That by itself places Akron U. ahead of every school in its own conference, and most of those who continue struggling to succeed in internationally irrelevant athletic competitions.Have a great new year.From abroad,The Zip in Paradise

Andy Robinson is a senior. He's the one who used facebook to try to pay someone $40 to write a book report for him...Yeah, you're right. The guy I was trying to describe is UB freshman Titus Robinson -- from Charlotte, NC. He's already an impact player, as is the guy from Phoenix, whose name I think is Mitchell Watt. They're both about 6-9 and can move.In any case, Buffalo managed to scratch out another last second victory, their second in as many nights 62-60 against Colorado tonight. The Bulls did play much better than on Sunday versus Pepperdine. They led by double-figures at halftime, and though the lead was slowly chipped away, I don't believe UC ever led, though it was tied more than once. Buffalo got the ball with 8 seconds remaining after Colorado tied it up. Calvin Betts drove through an open top of the key, and pulled up and swished about a ten-footer for the go-ahead basket with 0.5 left. UB tipped the last-ditch pass to pick up their ticket to the Rainbow Classic championship game on Tuesday night against Colorado State. They will be favored, but its a wide-open final. I am impressed with Buffalo's experienced-looking offense, which makes few turnovers, allowing their strong half-court D to give them a chance to defeat bigger and more athletic teams. Got to shake Reggie Witherspoon's hand after the win. I'll pull for the MAC team, until Jan 13, at which time they'd better have learned the Humpty Dance. :blink: Zip in Paradise,Honolulu, HI

Well, I was at that game in the Rainbow Classic last night. UB looked like they were caught in a Buffalo snowbank mentally and physically last night against a very young but more aggressive Pepperdine team. Seemed like Bulls have very little senior leadership, at least last night. Rodney Pierce, who's supposed to be their star was totally lacklustre, getting relatively few touches offiensively. Calvin Betts (is he a junior or senior, not sure) at least played persistently, and led the Bulls in scoring with 18, and according to the paper had 14 rebounds! He was all over, though he didn't get that many good looks offensively. Bulls had little motion in their offense, so struggled against a very young but fairly athletic Pepp squad. Nice additions from two kids who I think are freshmen for Buffalo -- Andy Robinson and a forward from Arizona (forget his name, but gonna be a very good player). No way this team should be close to Akron at the JAR, but they could be favored at home vs UA. Reggie Witherspoon was very escited to get the 'W', as they lost all three overtime games they played last year. Tonite, UB plays another young but big and somewhat athletic Colorado team. I expect another close contest. Best team in this event is Vermont Catamounts. Best team UVM has put together -- better than their NCAA upset teams.

Okay, great idea. And it inevitably brings up the question: What should Can't State's tickets be shaped like?

In Ray Mernaugh's world, every coach will be a huge success. Come on Ray. Tell us how you REALLY feel!

Beat the Sweaters, Save the World! Let that be our rallying cry.

Some good thoughts, Char. I can imagine what it must be with all those great soccer programs -- and others like UNCGreensboro, JMU, etc in the region. At least those other schools have the chanceto compete in soccer against the ACC. No football, and they're even a further distance in the background for basketball. Don;t be afraid to post your comments about the Zips. We need more experienced footballers on this thread. Go Zipalistos!

That's because Keith is a native Akronite, not a Youngstowner or other varietal outsider, Cap'n Like KD, I grew up with everyone around me calling our university Akron U. In fact, I can't remember ever hearing anyone call it by that long, drawn out name in an actual conversation.However...in official publication, like that Cali paper, someone should tell the author it's THE University of Akron. In fact, let's remind all the folks down Bucknut way about that also. What I really hate is when I tell someone I'm from Ohio, and they respond, "Oh, you're a Buckeye". Aaaaaaahhh! Mele kalikimaka from ka pae 'aina 'o Hawai'i nei to all the Akron U fans in the audience.

not so fast...this is just the Soccer America POTY. Jan 9th is when the Hermann results come in.No, but we all know, failing to win the award in St Louis will be the upset of the century. As the article stated, the last three SA POTYs have gone on to win the Hermann. And I believe the two underclassmen returned to their schools the following seasons (O'Brian White and Joe Lapira). Lapira returned for his senior year before signing with a second division Norway club. White was injured late this season. Not sure if Garey was a senior or not.

Sounds like the intro to Ay Zippy Zoomba. But don't tell the BeeGees.

Captain, captain, captain. Now you and I both loved these players, and we know that it was not any lack of character, talent or desire that prevented them from winning the MAC. It was the lack of proper teaching and coaching strategy. I think Keith Dambrot would love to have players of this caliber on his roster. Well, Hollingsworth, I barely remember the name and never saw play, but hey, hey, hey Tarver, Bosley and Ball -- those guys could play on any MAC team and make it better.