Zip_ME87

I think you’re being too negative about the timeline for Sam’s return.

I hope the "bigs" are able to play. I don't think Jared was "resting them".

But when you talk about getting a result out an overall tournament, you mean being the champion. In soccer, you either win the championship match on goals in the run of play/OT, or you tie and "win" on pk's. Winning on pk's is not really a "win" but the result is you are champion.

I think the more clear answer is that a draw and "win" in a pk shootout is not a called win, but the result is as good as a win.

After that disaster at Trinidad & Tobago, this was a nice read this morning from U17 USMNT Head Coach, John Hackworth, who is leading his team in the U!7 WC in India. The link is to...

WMU also had a quality win over Akron. The Zips winning out and not winning the MAC tournament could result in a NCAA berth dependent upon how much our RPI is hurt by our lesser opponents. However, this team needs to find itself and consistency for any NCAA Tourney berth to be possible this season. I was at WMU. Congrats to the Broncos for doing what they needed to do to get the win. The Zips inconsistency reared its ugly head again. They did not play Akron soccer; they did not respond well to the adversity (wind and falling behind); they had opportunities and once again could not finish; they allowed another goal on a set piece, which the defense and GK just seemed to not be engaged in; and the Zips' set pieces were poor. Another 0-1 road loss. Can't get to the NCAA Tourney this way. Need to dig deep and come together. This team has shown its resiliency in the past; need to find it quickly now.

Zips always stick together. Go Zips.

4 games in 11 days; that is tough. Congrats to our players for grinding this one out. Get some rest tonight and on the ride home tomorrow.

Actually, JK valued DeA very much...just had an odd way of showing it for any player.

Yes, DeA got 90 against Liverpool. He is the current USMNT #1 RB. I don't see anyone starting ahead of him.

I would say yes. I believe DeA is the USMNT's starting RB unless he is hurt or shows reason to not be.

FIFY

Don't know when he will return, but he was dressed and warming up with the team Saturday.

Fluke or not, I'd like to see them win all non-MAC matches.

Michigan State took out their frustration following their 1-4 loss to the Zips by destroying blOSU in East Lansing...

Very nice win for the Zips against a very good St. Mary's squad. The Zips did a great job of grinding this one out.

Nagbe & Yedlin named to USMNT squad for final qualifying matches for 2018 World Cup. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/10/01/arena-names-squad-tasked-getting-usa-2018-fifa-world-cup

The other was a pk following a take down by Ben in the penalty area when Ben couldn't get the ball and raised his leg tripping the Denver attacker in the box.

As Nate said in his post-game interview last night, they had some hard practices after the St Louis game. At UVU, Denver, and St Louis, they looked to just be going through the motions. They had their opportunities at UVU and Denver but didn't put it together to capitalize. Mistakes hurt in both those matches. At St. Louis, the Zips didn't look sharp at all; looked like they were just there and doing enough to get out of there with a tie. These last 2, they look to be playing Zips' soccer...dominant, attentive, pressing, finishing. Being at home, I'm certain is a help as is the additional time working together. Now, they need to put this one behind them and focus on the next one. That was fun and a great win, but there's much more work to be done. I agree...the calls seemed quite one-sided for awhile. In the end, there were at least 2 egregious MSU fouls that should have resulted in yellow cards, but none were given to MSU...only the Zips picked up cards. The lack of consistency in refereeing continues.