Z.I.P.

I just wanted to get back to the original topic -- which I''ve just been able to read.I think the new logo has the classic look that will serve the league's purpose of separating itself from the rest of the "MAC pretenders" out there. (Looking forward to GP 1's reaction to that one ) On the other hand, I will continue to proudly wear my MAC T-shirt in the old colors. I absolutely LOVED the old colors, which were themselves truly unique. No sports franchise on the globe, that I have seen, wears green and red, and those shades of colors were the brightest possible. The "red" was actually that shade which is exactly midway between red and orange -- the same as what the Atlanta Falcons once wore (before Jerry Glanville destroyed the franchise) called "cranberry orange".I would now love to see the soccer program develop their own MAC-like crest for use in program-specific sales (a pipe dream of course with the current admin) of soccer related memorabilia, like team scarves. It would include the year 1954 that men's soccer began at UA. I think you can see some college soccer scarves at www.wearthegame.com .

Only problem with Terry's story is, it was B.F. Goodrich, not Goodyear which sold the Zipper. Right?

There seems to be several high caliber recruits coming to the University in the next couple years. A National Championship is looking better and better and I thought I would never say that! :thumb: :thumb: What can anyone tell us about Mason? I think it said he's 6-1? Caleb will be looking for more size up front, as the roster is small in the box, but Holy Cow, are they good!!! BTW -- the new roster is on Gozips.com

Yes, well, I remember meeting Frank Stams at the Hula Bowl, along with Lou Holtz after Notre Dame's national title. He was REALLY enthusiastic, and happy to see my AKRON tee-shirt. But I remember he was smaller than my own 6' and well under 200 lbs. Wasn't he a linebacker? Lou Holtz looked more like a player.

The man from Zenica (Bosnia-Herzegovina), is what Fox Soccer Channel color man Max Bretos called former Zip Sinisa Ubiparipovic -- along with the longest name in football, during yesterday's New York Red Bulls vs FC Dallas MLS match up at Giants' Stadium at the Meadowlands. And Sinisa came up as big as his name, making an MVP performance stand up as New York defeated new Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman in his dubut after a short lifetime as SMU mentor. Right from the outset, Ubi, getting the start in place of the World Cup qualifying Claudio Reyna at left MF, was the most inspired performer on the pitch, getting three first half near-miss shots on goal, but serving up the corner kick perfectly on the Red Bulls only goal of the day in the one-nil victory. He had the prettiest play of the game, a left-leg volley near the top of the area that was just deflected by a finger from the Dallas keeper around 15-20 minutes in, but the game-winner came only minutes later.It's not likely that Sinisa will get much opportunity to shine in NY, backing up the US international Reyna, but he's putting himself on display for other teams, and could be in a transfer window come this off-season. Sinisa has a golden future either in the MLS or Europe. He doesn't turn 25 till late in August.

Would be nicer to send 'em to Armstrong Stadium at IU for the weekend against two of the region and nation's top teams. If we get off to the start we're capable of -- THEN we can worry about Columbus when October comes -- and not have to worry about it effecting our post-season chances.BTW -- it's Sunday, June 22nd. Has anyone seen our coach today? We may want to stake out the airport and prevent him boarding any flights for Dallas.

Given our history, it would be a bathroom stall without a door on it and a Cambodian guy sitting on the toilet.Hey GP1,I hear Tony Ampaipitakwong and his teammates are waiting for you to show up at the first Akron football (or "soccer" as some call it) game this year. They're offering a free tatoo, if you'll play goalkeeper for the opposition.

I mis-wrote! The Indiana Hoosier, come Houston Dynamo player I was thinking of, who was recruited by Caleb was John Michael Hayden. Well, Hayden...Holden. Who's counting the # of Tecates I've been drinking lately, anyhow? No one I hope.

What a back line!!!! Clean sheets for the year, anyone?P.S.: Look for Zakuani to get double figures in goals this year. Coach Porter's biggest problem will be trying to hold onto these guys for four years -- as has been shown in Hoosier Country, where Kofi Sarkodie's brother has fled the IUPen to become a professional footballer.

A natural target for the Zips' recruiting net would seem to be Kofi Sarkodie's teammate from Ohio FC Mutiny, defender Chad Barson. Chad is in Portugal with the US U-18 squad that defeated host Portugal, but scored just one goal in its three games in the tournament. He started and played 90-minutes in all three games. Barson has been with the U-17 pool for a year now, I think.I know someone out there knows more than I do on the recuriting status of Barson. We will have to beat out those @#*&%#s from Indiana to get him, I'm sure. Another interesting tidbit: I see that coach Fischbein of New Mexico has managed to corrale UConn transfer Euan Holden, brother of Houston Dynamo -- and former Hoosier all-America Stuart Holden. Stuart was recruited to IU by you-know-who. Adds another layer of intrigue to Part Deux of the building rivalry between the Zips and the Loblos, which will become heated again at 7 PM on September 12th. Be there or miss out, FC Zip fans.

Interesting article. I've been glancing at rivals over the last couple days as well because they're counting down all Div 1-A programs 120 through 1, doing 10 per day. K-ent was 113th of 120. At least the zips MADE IT to day 3 and 99th overall. If a lot of things go right (williams and jones swaps, qb play from whomever, a decent performance from the wideouts) I think this season could be surprisingly similar to 2005 with the Zips shocking some people. And that, honestly, would be the best way to go into the first season at the new stadium. Almost the same way the Tribe magically began to be competitive the year before going into the Jake. B)I saw the first of the Pre-Season CFB magazines on the newsstand yesterday -- Athlon's, and it confirms that just about every MAC team has 2/3 of its starters back from last year. As I recall, they put Akron 5th in the East, and as happens every year, they put K-E-N-T in second! Okay, it's Rolleyes time Just wait till the guy from Cleveland's zine comes out -- he has Can't first every year, anyway -- so will probably send them to a BCS Bowl game this season.

EASTERN KENTUCKY???????????Wow, the UA Ohana has got to be glad Coach Dambrot has passed up the Rainbow Classic opening for this dream trip to Coal Country!!!! I expect GameChgr 54's mom is glad though that the trip can wait till her pride 'n joy hits the hardwood. Seriously, folks, its time to start looking at a ZipTrip to the Pacific, before the rest of our airlines shut down!

Bush is one of the best goalies this program has ever seen. He's very solid. Don't knock him.Who's knocking him? He's the best GK in UA history! BUT -- Last and I believe only goalie to ever win the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy as national Player of the Year: Tony Meola.Now, is Caleb Porter on his way to the Big 'D'?

Okay, I shall attempt my best imitation of Paul Gardner describing the Beautiful Game.First off -- remember how Zeke 54 stated that he wanted to attend a "downtown" campus, but not RIGHT downtown? Understand we are dealing with athletically - and hopefully academically - advanced children, not adults. Therefore, Ben's quote should not be taken as a slap at his good friend, Kofi (correct spelling, sorry for earlier) Sarkodie, with whom he played on the US U-17 squad under coach Hackworth. You see, with Kofi playing in the back and in a year, Ben in the midfield and Blair Gavin, Zakuani and Nanchoff up front (is Nanchoff a forward -- I think so, but excuse my 5000 mi ignorance), we can expect some very fast ball-movement from end-to-end. In fact, in describing Kofi to friends, I've used the phrase "young Becks" to describe his tremendous back-line distribution and field-switching abilities. That, having seen him on TV just twice. I can see Kofi playing at least a pseudo-libero role for the Zips, much as Beckham often does for the Galaxy -- at least when he was out here for the Pan-Pacific Cup. BTW -- I had thought that Speas was himself playing fullback previously, but apparently his offensive skills were too valuable to national coaches to keep him behind the 50.So, back to the idea of the stylish football player. American football has for far too long modeled itself after the slow, less-than-exciting style of the European -- or if you will, British -- game. Now, after a couple decades of dominance by Brazil and Argentina, at long last the US coaching community decides it should switch tactics and go after the South American style of developing great individual ballhandlers and scorers. Soccer is an individual game played by eleven people at a time -- that can sum up the difference of the Brazilian and Argentine game. Think of the way the US dominates the world in basketball -- at least on paper! Great speed (or "pace" as it's known in soccer), dribbling, and shotmaking, and the ability to blend this individuality into team play with precise passes in the zone and crosses to target players is the new "next generation" strategy in developing beautiful skill players to perfect the Beautiful Game. How many LeBrons will the US be able to develop in soccer? If we're to win World Cups, we have to build them.Will Akron U become the Man U of the NCAA? I'd put our young Caleb up against Sir Alex Ferguson any day! Sorry mate, didn't intend to put any more pressure on your shoulders -- either Calebs or Fergies. An aside: I can't wait for Sept 12th. My plans are firm. I see the guy Steven from Fox Football Fone-in wearing his Lobos T-shirt, so I just sent away for the Stevenhatesmyclub T from Whoareyadesigns.com. :blink: Awesome, even if I only wear it once.

Well, all I can say is, if UCLA steals Amobi Akugo away from us, then I'll be singing "Fight on for Ol' S-C" every time the Bruins take the field! Come on Caleb, you can get 'im! Don't let 'im say "no'". BTW -- did you know that last fall Ben (as in Speas) was called up to the men's U-20 squad for their camp in Argentina? Yes, Men's Under-20! (His 17th birthday wasn't until January)

No. The most recent was Kofie Sarkodie, UA recruiting class of 2008. You should read my posts more carefully. (See the thread "Soccer Recruits" for the discussion of Ben and Kofie)BTW -- Kofie is the second national youth team captain Akron has recruited in as many years, as Blair Gavin captained the US-18 squad a year ago

Former Zip All-America fullback Cameron Knowles was named to the USL First-Division (formerly A-Leagie) Team of the Week already this month, according to Portlandtimbers.com. Cameron was one of three finalists for league Defender of the Year last season, and played more minutes than any player in USL last season. With MLS expansion next year, there's an increased chance this youngster will make a MLS roster for good. Not sure what Caneron's goals are, or how long he'll continue to hang out in North America before trying his luck in his native Aotearoa/New Zealand, or in the Australian A-League.Good luck to the Timbers in their first year after the retirement of Timber Ray -- America's only chain-saw clad mascot.

Hmmmm. Did she just sign i the late period? One of the pre-season mag's last year had her listed as an Akron recruit. Wonder when she changed her mind -- before or after the chaos in the JAR. I fear the mire will only deepen.

I'm not sure if it is a "skills camp" or not. Was told that LBJ had some sort of event in June.I think we can get Bron to pull some strings, if you really want Zeke to get in. Now does Jamie Dixon have that power? LOL!

It was reported last fall that Kest had recruited a 6-5 player from Sandusky Perkins HS. Anybody know what happened? Maybe she's going to W Va Wesleyan.

Anyone can be replaced? Let's start with Jody Kest. She has lost my respect as a coach. I have NEVER heard of an entire team being asked -- or told - to leave a school, and that is basically what has happened here. How can this NOT reflect on the coach? Most of these players are her own recruits anyway. What does that say about her decision making and leadership? As those who have read my posts this past season know, I have a deep commitment to the UA WBB squad. Changes have to happen -- sooner rather than later.

You're absolutadootley right neighbor! I was mostly being facetious about Kofi being "underaged". But fact is, he just turned 17 about a month ago. I believe his academic success is partly due to his immersion at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, where along with international soccer competition, players receive intensive classwork and tutoring. It just means one additional year to make the Big $$$ playing in Europe or MLS. Can't wait to see Kof' defend on Michael Green of Strongsville in Sept vs the UNM Lobos. He could and should be the most offensive defender in the NCAA.

OK. I stand corrected. Gleefully!!! Like Thank You Football Gods

We were before the announcement of this recruiting class. I can see UA winning a National Championship in the next 3-10 years.www.collegesoccernews.com usually ranks recruiting classes, but doesn't have a related post yet.Nice that someone is thinking along the same wavelength as Caleb (and I!). But I happen to believe your time span is too long. I'll be surprised if we don't win a title in the next three years, with our talent.It will be very interresting to see how Akron is ranked in the pre-season. I think the coaches may put Akron top-5, but more reasonable is around #10. A team this young and talented will improve as season advances, and could be a real contender by November -- but I hate to put too much pressure on the kids' shoulders so early. Especially Coach Porter. Now let's get that stadium built for our champs!

Simply put, Kofi Sarkodie is the top player in America in his age class. But -- when he pl;ayed in the U-17 World Cup last August, he was just 16 y.o. How can he play college soccer at 17? Anyhow, I'll take him!!!!!