Zip_ME87

Congrats to Brad Ruhaak and everyone selected as 2016 homecoming royalty... http://uakron.edu/studentlife/involvement/campusprograms/homecoming/homecoming-royalty/

I thought so...

I had a feeling this team was going to put it together for this game. I liked a lot of what I saw tonight. Rough start to each half, but the Zips found a way to get through it each time and take over the match for the most part, I like Pau Belana taking the corner kicks. Overall, a very nice performance by the Zips. I think they will continue to build on this and challenge each other. I'm confident the midfield play will continue to improve as the new and existing personnel continue to get accustomed to each other. GO ZIPS!!!

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2016/09/21/21/23/160921-mnt-five-things-to-know-about-perry-kitchen ... Following the tournament, Kitchen joined Akron University in 2010. Playing under current Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter, the powerful defensive midfielder was at the core of the Zips 2010 National Championship side along with a number of future MLS players, including current MNT teammate Darlington Nagbe. ...

I hope you're able to make it to the 2nd half and that it's a great night for you in the CLE and at UA. Go Tribe. Go Zips.

Big game, Conference game, At Akron... I think somebody or a number of somebodies on our team is/are going to step up big. I think we will see the big time team effort and cohesion to which we have become so accustomed, especially on our pitch.. I sure hope the AK Rowdies/students show up in numbers. I think the U@B supporters will show up in decent numbers on a Friday night.

Thanks jzip84. Awesome read. I'm really happy for Evan.

It's too bad FC Cincinnati lost today and is out of the playoffs. They drew 30,000+ and set a USL playoff attendance record. Eric Stevenson scored their lone goal in the 2-1 loss. http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/704514?referrer_id=2577005

I'm not sure. In the past, it may have been done by the coach, but I think our current AD, being the good man that he is, probably feels that it's his responsibility. As much as I feel this situation to be hard for me (having taken a lot of time to talk with our players before and after games and get to know them some, including Victor), I'm certain that it has to be extremely difficult for our coaches, staff and players. I would ask that all Zips fans please have faith in them and show them support. We'll never know all the facts because that stuff has to stay between the player, coaches, staff, and team.

This has been hard for me, but I know in retrospect that Jared has the best interest of the Zips Mens Soccer Program and its student athletes as his top priority. I'm sure there's more to this than any of us will ever know, as it should be, for Victor's and his teammates' sake. I hope that Victor will move on, get his degree, and find success in whatever path he takes. I hope that the team can move on and be successful this season. I know that I will continue to be there for them. They deserve that and more.

Victor's Instagram post last night... soutoav8 I am not that religious but I feel like God has something really good planned for me in the future! A setback in life won't stop me from becoming a better person, player or whatever is there for me! I truly love Akron, my teammates who became important people in my life, the soccer program and this community that presented me so many special people! The memories and the feeling of being a Zip will never leave my mind and my body! It is hard to see what's next but I will work harder than ever to find it and to help other people that have done so much for me throughout these 3 years and 9 months at Akron! My passion for life and the game of soccer will never go away! Thank God for all the blessings and unforgettable moments on the pitch doing what I love wearing my #8

I remember folks (including me) questioning Jim Tressel's credentials to be University President. He sure seems to be working out well at YSU. I think Matt could be fine as UA President. He's been doing very well thus far. If he's great at relationships and getting the best out of everyone, I'd suspect he could hire someone to help with the strategic thinking. Running the university isn't done by one person, but requires a team anyway.

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Mine too.

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One caveat to my liking of your post. We're not talking about professional players here. This is an amateur, college team as opposed to a professional team. College is a place to learn and develop. That development can occur on numerous levels. Yes, VS8 has had a number of transgressions and chances, but he has done what he needed to do each time. For whatever reason, his passion for competition reared it's ugliness again. I fully understand and agree if significantly more has been asked of him before a return this time. However, just to dismiss him would be wrong. Our other players also can learn from this to step up in the face of adversity. Life doesn't always unfold in the way you would like.

I needed to see this ... Watch Darlington Nagbe rescue Timbers' CCL hopes with last-gasp golazo http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/09/28/portland-timbers-get-monkey-back-massive-ccl-road-win 54’ – CDC – Kevin Melara (Jamal Jack) 79’ – POR – Fanendo Adi 90’ – POR – Darlington Nagbe

I realize I was a probably a little overboard in my "Edit" comment earlier. I think some folks did talk to Victor. I hope whatever may have been said was supportive and encouraging. I probably get overly sensitive because I take the time to talk to our players whenever I can, and they all mean a lot to me. They don't always perform as I or they would like themselves to, but they're all great guys. And when it comes to the players from outside the U.S., I'm probably even more sensitive. I can't imagine how it is to adjust to another country, it's customs, culture, etc. and at the same time pursue a college degree and play a sport so far away from family.