Zip_ME87

MLS Draft 2017: Timbers, NYCFC trade big assets to move up and snag top forwards NYCFC acquired the third pick from the Chicago Fire for $250,000 in allocation money — the first-ever trade we’ve been given official word on the allocation money value thanks to a new MLS rule put in effect on Friday — to acquire Lewis. The former Akron striker opened a lot of eyes at the recent draft combine, and plays with a slick style up top coupled with smart, heads-up play not often seen from a forward of his age. I hated losing Jonathan so soon, but if he can perform in the pros with the University of Akron name forever tied to him, so be it. With the World Cup coming up next year, our President and Athletics Department need to get their heads out of their collective butts and take advantage of the popularity rise of soccer in the USA and our former Zips from coast to coast, in Europe, and on Team USA. Zips Mens Soccer, Ohio's Collegiate soccer powerhouse. Come to Akron to see tomorrow's professional soccer players. ...

NYCFC select 2017 Combine MVP from the University of Akron....

TimbersFC at CrewSC early this season, March 25th. Road Trip!

Jonathan Lewis starting in the final Combine match...

Ten collegians who'll shape MLS Class of 2017 6. JONATHAN LEWIS (Akron).

I guess that I may need to be prepared for this...(a slip to #10 would work for me) Parchman: MLS SuperDraft 2017 Predictions A Generation adidas player will slip to the second round This isn’t quite as unprecedented as it may sound. As recently as 2015, NC State defender Conor Donovan slid to the first pick of the second round, where Orlando City poached him. If teams either don’t value or don’t have enough information on a Generation adidas player, the roster benefit is more or less perceived as moot. And while most Generation adidas players have been well-scouted, this is a particularly interesting class when it comes to unknowns. A few Generation adidas players are more or less locks to go high. Miles Robinson, Abu Danladi, Jackson Yueill and Shamit Shome all look to be top 10 picks in most any circumstance. Even if one slips beyond the threshold most expect - we’re talking top five or six here - it’s extremely unlikely they fall much farther. That said, there are two who don’t quite have the same profile. Adonijah Reid, a Canadian Generation adidas signee alongside Shome, is a 17-year-old forward who more or less got his first major exposure during the MLS Combine this week. And Akron attacker Jonathan Lewis was a late Generation adidas signee with arguably less buzz than anyone else here. Both are quality players, but on such short notice, don’t be surprised to see one slide out of the first round in favor of more heavily scouted players.

Danilo was not mentioned by the announcers yesterday, to my knowledge. However, for what I saw, I thought he had a great match vs Team Tango. I don't think teams but huge stock in these matches, but they definitely watch. On the video yesterday, I saw many MLS coaching staffs in the stands at the Stub Hub Center (in the loges, of course)...DC United, SoundersFC, Dynamo, NE Revolution,..., CrewSC (Berhalter & Co.), and Timbers FC (including Pablo Moreira, Cameron Knowles, and I think Caleb was sitting in front of Pablo but the view of him was obscured by a handrail). Danilo going in the 2nd round would be excellent.

Jonathan Lewis was mentioned a number of times yesterday during the MLS Combine match between Team Control & Team Tango. Some comments that his stock has improved...maybe in top 3. I would love to see TimbersFC get him but would also be happy if he goes to CrewSC so that we can see him in Columbus with Wil Trapp. I doubt that he falls to 10 for the Timbers, and I think they need defenders. CrewSC at 5 is possible, but may be a stretch. He is looking good. He could be another who rises quickly like DeAndre Yedlin. By the way, they also commented that Jonathan was trialing in Europe while working out the GA deal. Good for him. Obviously, no takers yet, at least not any that he would have wanted, but who knows where he might be headed after a few good years in MLS. I hate losing Jonathan from the Zips, but if he can rise like DeAndre, I'd be extremely happy. He's already on the U20's as were DeAndre and Wil. I'd love to see Jonathan get called in with full USMNT in a year or so. I think Pulisic, Nagbe, and Lewis could be quite dynamic together. I'd love to add Trapp to that mix, too.

Jonathan Lewis scores at 89:57 to tie the match. Final Team Control 2 Team Tango 2. Announcer ... "What a surprise, an Akron winger making a difference here..."

Sigi Schmid: The changes I would make to college soccer http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/09/sigi-schmid-changes-i-would-make-college-soccer

I'm unsure how narrow the field @ Buffalo is. Like high schools that play soccer on their gridiron football field, they have additional (wider) markings for soccer. The crown on the field, however, is something not germane to association football.

I agree that I would very much like to see the competition improve in the MAC, and fknbuflobo's comment is a good one, however it was meant. Buffalo is the only MAC soccer team that plays on a gridiron football field. Akron, BGSU, WMU, and WVU all have soccer stadiums. NIU plays soccer on the field in the center of their track, but it is not crowned like a gridiron field. (AF could be American Football or Association Football...hence, my not using that acronym.) Respect and purpose of any sport starts at home.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2017/combine/copa-tango-jan-8 Lewis - 2 goals (Team Tango); Cicerone - 0 goals (Team Copa) 1st goal was a pk he earned. 2nd goal was a put back of Danladi's long strike. Edit: These matches really don't mean much, but it still pleases me to see Jonathan outscore Russell Cicerone.

The Combine is certainly off to a great start for this former Zip!

$4M (split with MAC?) for playing in the Cotton Bowl. Plus: In addition to the payouts detailed below, each team participating in a playoff semifinal (Peach and Fiesta Bowls) or the Cotton Bowl receives $2.16 million for travel expenses. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kristidosh/2016/12/31/college-football-playoff-payouts-by-conference-for-2016-17/2/#6478ea2b24a4 Some of that nothing, please!

For those interested, the Combine competitions kickoff at 4:15 pm ET today (with additional matches on Tuesday and Thursday). All are being streamed live. Danilo Radjen is on Team Control. I cannot find Jonathan Lewis on any of the team rosters. Not sure if he's not playing, or if they just haven't added the late additions to the public roster listings. http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/03/mls-player-combine

Jonathan Lewis is indeed turning pro. He posted the following to his Instagram account late yesterday. jon_lewis7 Extremely honored to be part of the 2017 Generation Adidas Class and be part of the MLS Draft. Very excited to see what 2017 brings me and I'm very thankful for all the support I have gotten along the road. Shoutout to Akron for a great semester and for taking me into the family. #Adidas #mlsdraft2017

Not unexpected, but darn. I really wanted to see Jonathan with the Zips for at least 1 more season. Nevertheless, if this is the case, I wish him the best. Another Zip in the Pros is awesome.

Some additional information on Morgan Hackworth's pedigree... http://www.cuse.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=12899&path=msoccer Personal: Morgan Christopher Hackworth … Born in January 1997 … Son of John and Tricia Hackworth … Two brothers … Father, John, played soccer at Wake Forest and is the head coach of the U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team. John has actually moved up to the U-17 National Team coach... http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2016/11/29/18/45/161129-u17mnt-hackworth-names-20-player-roster-for-2016-nike-international-friendlies

Excellent, Wil Trapp and Darlington Nagbe --- USA! "...Since the camp does not fall during a recognized FIFA international window for the release of players, only those who are not in season are available to be selected. ..." Therefore, no possibility to have had Deandre Yedlin or Perry Kitchen called into this January camp.

@TennZip thanks for correcting me, and I corrected it in my post. I knew that Tyler is on track to graduate Summa Cum Laude, but typed Magna for some inexplicable reason. Absolutely would not slight him in the least.

It's often easy to find fault with things and harp on those, but as we begin this New Year, I feel the need to give kudos to Coach Embick and Staff for the continued great Mens Soccer Program that we enjoy and sometimes under-appreciate. Some of our recent accomplishments include: Although 2016 didn't end as we all had high hopes that it would, the team overcame some adversity and won the MAC Regular Season and Tourney for the 5th year in a row. We hosted an NCAA Tournament game and advanced to the round of 32. 3 of our players graduated joining many of us as UA Alumni...and all graduated with honors...Victor Souto, Summa Cum Laude and Brad Ruhaak and Danillo Radjen Magna Cum Laude. Brad Ruhaak was the student speaker at his graduation ceremony. Our coaches and staff deserve accolades for this along with our student-athletes. I'll add that I believe Tyler Sanda is on track to graduate from UA in the Spring, and last I knew, he was on track to do so Summa Cum Laude (and I think go on to medical school) Some of our players are in the mix to go pro, or possibly go pro Victor Souto has signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Danilo Radjen is invited to the MLS Combine Brad Ruhaak is invited to a Midwest Combine in Detroit To this I'll also add kudos to Jared and his staff for everything that they did for Victor Souto. We all saw some of the issues on the field from time to time, and we don't know what happened to lead to Victor's dismissal. But Victor gave us 3+ very good years on the field and was instrumental in our 2015 College Cup appearance. As I mentioned above, Victor graduated Summa Cum Laude with a UA Business degree...an accomplishment for which Jared and his staff brought to fruition by recruiting Victor and supporting him as they did. They should be extremely proud of this as I am (and I hope others are) proud of them. Finally, I'll say that I'm very proud of what Jared and his staff have done and continue to do with all of our players. The player issue above is the only one of which I know while Jared has been at Akron, under Caleb's tenure as head coach and during his own. We have had and continue to have outstanding Mens Soccer student-athletes whom are all outstanding young men and make us all proud. They do things the right way ... the Akron way!