Zip_ME87

TennZip posted this link in the "2017 Zips in the Pro Leagues..." thread, but I think it also belongs here; the 2017 GA class listing is a sign that Jonathan Lewis is staying. Please let that be true. I really want to see Jonathan up close in a Zips uniform for at least one more year. He's so much fun to watch. http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/04/mls-announces-2017-generation-adidas-class-and-senior-signings

I think recruiting talk belongs here. Roster Changes = add and subtract

This happened in 2016, but since it was friendlies "warming up" for 2017 qualifying for U20 World Cup, I'll put it here... Jonathan Lewis saw action as a sub for the U20's in both friendlies in December. There is no mention of how he did, but nice to see that he was in both the draw and win with decent minutes... http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2016/12/21/14/49/161221-u20-mnt-acclimates-to-world-cup-qualifying-venues-in-final-friendlies-of-2016 Match: U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team vs. Costa Rica Date: Dec. 17, 2016 Scoring Summary: 1 2 F USA 1 3 4 CRC 0 0 0 Lineups: USA: 22-JT Marcinkowski; 2-Aaron Herrera (8-Derrick Jones, 68), 4-Tommy Redding (capt.) (13-Miles Robinson, 68), 15-Justen Glad (5-Auston Trusty, 68), 3-Marcello Borges (14-Jake Morris, 68); 16-Eryk Williamson, 6-Danny Acosta (23-Tyler Adams, 45), 19-Victor Mansaray (10-Emmanuel Sabbi, 45); 11-Sebastian Saucedo, 21-Brandon Vazquez (9-Jeremy Ebobisse, 45), 7-Nick Taitague (17-Jonathan Lewis, 68) Subs Not Used: 1-Jonathan Klinsmann Head coach: Tab Ramos Match: U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team vs. Costa Rica Date: Dec. 19, 2016 Venue: Proyecto Goal; San Jose, Costa Rica Scoring Summary: 1 2 F USA 0 0 0 CRC 0 0 0 Lineups: USA: 1-Jonathan Klinsmann; 2-Aaron Herrera, 4-Tommy Redding (capt.) (5-Auston Trusty, 80), 15-Justen Glad, 3-Marcello Borges (14-Jake Morris, 31); 16-Eryk Williamson, 23-Tyler Adams, 8-Derrick Jones (17-Jonathan Lewis, 59); 11-Sebastian Saucedo, 9-Jeremy Ebobisse (21-Brandon Vazquez, 70), 7-Nick Taitague (10-Emmanuel Sabbi, 70) Subs Not Used: 6-Danny Acosta, 13-Miles Robinson, 19-Victor Mansaray, 22-JT Marcinkowski Head coach: Tab Ramos

Wow. If Jonathan gets a good GA deal, best wishes to him, but I sure hope he is at Akron for at least 1 more year. TennZips posted this link in another thread (2017 zips in pro leagues...), noting the speculation about Adam Najem, but it also had a blurb about Jonathan Lewis. http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2016/12/30/30983822/mls-talking-points-the-market-for-landon-donovan-the-next Akron midfielder Jonathan Lewis has been offered a Generation adidas deal by MLS, but sources tell Goal USA Lewis isn't going to accept the offer currently on the table. The Zips freshman, who is currently with the U.S. Under-20 national team, tied for the NCAA lead in assists in 2016 with 12.

Congratulations to Victor Souto!

Really? I seem to recall Robby played in NCAA Tourney matches v Villanova and Indiana, among 12 other games throughout the season and was allowed to contribute. I'm not sure how he "wasn't in the mix".

Morgan Hackworth...Welcome to Akron. Best wishes to Robby.

OH, DARLINGCeltic’s move for Portland Timbers star Darlington Nagbe could cause USA rift ...If ten-times capped Nagbe signed at the start of next month, he would be whisked off to Celtic‘s winter training camp in the United Arab Emirates. But if he insisted on attending Arena’s US camp, he could feature in the Scottish Cup tie against Albion Rovers and the league clash v St Johnstone, but could miss up to three games against Hearts, Aberdeen and another game with St Johnstone. However, Celtic could put their foot down and not allow Nagbe to leave for the camp because the games aren’t on FIFA dates.

FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns, will host the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the United States Men’s National Team as part of a Group Stage doubleheader on July 15, as announced today by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Cleveland’s-FirstEnergy-Stadium-selected-as-host-city-for--2017-CONCACAF-Gold-Cup/11df81cf-c2b4-4e66-a4ab-0f0454e2e6c8 Hope to see some of our former Zips with USMNT in Cleveland next summer.

http://afccleveland.com/news/story.php?id=153 AFC Cleveland has been awarded the privilege to host the 2017 Hank Steinbrecher U.S. Soccer National Amateur Championship, taking place in June. Great news given that two of the teams that will be participating - AFC Cleveland and the Michigan Bucks - usually have current Zips Mens Soccer players on their rosters.

Brad Ruhaak's introduction by President Wilson and speech begins at about 1:45:30 in the video at https://www.uakron.edu/live/three.dot or YouTube:

Victor Souto graduated from the University of Akron last night Summa Cum Laude and posted a picture of himself with his dad and brother in the lobby of EJ Thomas Hall with the following caption on his Instagram account... soutoav8 Jan/2013 I was landing in the ?? not knowing English and what would happen in my journey here in this beautiful country... Dec 2016 I am here with my Brother and Dad, (Mom was watching it online in??) graduating from The University of Akron with the highest Honors Designation any Undergrad student can have... Summa Cum Laude in Business Administration and Sales! I love and thank God, my Family, my Friends, Teammates and everyone that helped me realize this Dream! This is not a personal accomplishment of mine, this is the result of a teamwork. I thank those that truly care about me and never gave up on me! I also thank the people that made me suffered, and for a second made my smile go away... I am back, stronger and happier to take on any opportunity life brings me! I am ready to share all of my Summa Cum Laude Knowledge about Business and Soccer wherever and whenever ??????⚽️? from "not knowing English" when he started at UA in January 2013 to Summa Cum Laude in Business Administration. WOW

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2016/12/bobby-muusss-words-can-be-a-clarion-call-for-college-soccer/ some excerpts ...The NCAA knew the field conditions in Houston were garbage. It adroitly moved the women’s College Cup from North Carolina over the HB2 bill, but did not feel a similar move was necessary for actual on-field concerns in the men’s game. Vocal opposition helps, and it would seem that paradigm is shifting. Muuss’s words were not said in a vacuum, and the field was simply a single glimpse into a world the NCAA as a governing body has ignorantly neglected. ... Part of the hang-up is in logistics. The NCAA continues to insist changes at the DI level trickle down to DIII, which doesn’t make sense. A DI men’s roster choked with high-profile DA players does not need (and should not have) a full rotating substitution rule in place. But if you change the rule set to FIFA regulations (including a normal clock, a lengthier schedule and no extra time during the regular season), under current auspices a DIII women’s program would have the same rules in place. There’s no reason to not split off the DI game from the rest of the pack, but the NCAA has been reticent to act. And therein lies the trouble. The NCAA continues to prove it cares little about the college game, which has been particularly mettlesome in men’s soccer development. The 18-22 age range are practically lost years for men’s players, and regulatory bloat meant the college game had little role to play as an institution in righting the ship. And so we await change while looking to the scions of the college game to continue to beat the drum. Luckily, it would seem those drumbeats grow in volume each year. ...

Jesus Perez leaving (from Reggie Laryea's Instagram account)... reggielaryea14 So sad that my Mexican brother is leaving Akron it was fun playing with u I wish u the best and I know you will kill it where every you go. I know we will meet again if Donald Trump doesn't kick us out of America love you brother ❤️ #jeremystillugly #mannyswillmissyou @chinatwn @marcelzajac11 @robbydambrot

It appears Anthony Macchione is also leaving. Niko de Vera posted a picture of him and Anthony on Instagram with this ... nikookin30"You know our presence but you don't know our history"-G.S It's been real man. Growing up and playing with you basically my whole life. We've been through a lot together. Sad it has to come to an end but excited for your future. Go kill it brother. #portlandboys

Jeremy Pollard posted this on Instagram today... jeremy_pollard Looking back at the past year in Akron I couldn't of asked for a it to have been any better. The people I met will forever have a place in my heart and so will Akron soccer. I've made life long friends and I can honestly say this has been the greatest year of my life so far. Unfortunately it's time to move on from Akron towards a new chapter in my life, but I will always remember my brothers in blue and gold who helped me become a better player and person everyday. Good luck to you all in the future, I'm sure we will meet again. And you know what they say ... it's always a great day to be a zip ?⚽️? #reggieisstillugly

I don't think it necessarily signifies Adam is headed overseas. I think the NYRB still have Adam's homegrown rights. No reason for HG's to participate in the Combine.

Initial List of 2017 adidas MLS Player Combine Invitees Announced Unless I missed someone, the only Zips on this initial list is Danilo Radjen.

http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/2016-17/releases/20161206g1cojo Danilo Radjen, Sr., 3.696, Exercise Science/Physiology Brad Ruhaak, Sr., 3.651, Mechanical Engineering ... not only played for Zips Mens Soccer but also for Michigan Bucks, co-oped and was in the UA Honors College. (Very deserving to be the student speaker at Saturday afternoon graduation ceremony.) http://www.mac-sports.com/news/2015/12/20/GEN_1220153529.aspx?path=fhockey Noted last Fall *Victor Souto, Akron, Junior, 3.829, Business (Sao Paolo, Brazil)... so far from home and English is this young man's 2nd language

More stupidity from MLS. Minor - Wil Trapp is a homegrown; why is he not listed under that heading for CrewSC? Major - Chad Barson is out of contract with CrewSC. If they have no intention of signing him, he should not be protected just for being a homegrown; MLS should not be allowed to completely control players like this. My understanding is that CrewSC still owns Ben Speas' MLS rights. So, even though Ben played for Minnesota in 2016, they would have to make a deal with CrewSC for Ben to play for them in the MLS in 2017.