Zip_ME87

Hopefully 2016 brings more caps for all of the former Zips featured at the far right, top of this graphic and the one near the left, too.

If Aodhan was there, I unfortunately missed him. The only Zips soccer player to whom I spoke was Robbie Dambrot who is recovering from his surgery.

http://tinyurl.com/zm4f9p8

Nice Louisville City FC and ZipsNation voter turnout. Aodhan's vote count more than doubled in that final 2.5 hours+.

Vote for 2015 USL Goal of the Season To vote for Aodhan, I believe you click on Aodhan Quinn (LOU) vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC in the table. Voting closes on Wednesday, December 30 at 3 p.m. ET, with the winner to be revealed on Thursday, December 31. As of my posting this, Aodhan is in 2nd place.

NBC Sports: Report: USMNT’s Kitchen could be in Denmark or Germany within weeks

Hey LZip. I realize that I've been too critical of Zips Football out of frustration. I love all Zips sports. Wish I could support them all the same, but don't have the time to do so. I've gotten very close to the Men's Soccer staff and always stick around to talk with the players as well as going to many of their road games. It will remain my first love as long as we have a coaching staff that works to keep our program at or near the top. I hope that you and others have tempered your expectations and realize, that for various reasons, it is extremely difficult to do what Caleb & Company did in 2009 & 2010. Jared has proven he's capable of fielding a Championship team. Although they didn't bring home the trophy, they certainly were capable of doing so. As for Football, I hope that this season is the beginning of a series of winning seasons and bowl appearances. Being able to point to the accomplishments this season when recruiting should be a help. It's also time for students and alumni to take pride in what we have. We have a good, competent coaching staff and good players. The next step is to provide them decent, supportive attendance. There is no excuse for not coming to see Zips Football. And, yes, as someone stated long ago, I don't care about the uniforms as long as they win. I know what they wore at the Potato Bowl, but I don't care whether or not anyone liked it. The Zips were there, and the Zips got the W and brought home the trophy. I look forward to seeing the team bring it to one of the home basketball games in January. Maybe they should serve special Idaho Potato fries at the concession stand that night. Merry Christmas and Go Zips!

RBNY in College: End of Year Awards RoundupNice summary of Adam Najem's awards among other New York Red Bulls

Thank you. It was so much fun hosting 3 NCAA soccer matches and going to KC, then going to Las Vegas to see Mens Basketball on the 21st and 23rd and watching the Potato Bowl in one of the lounges with numerous Zips fans. That was topped off by flying home on the same United red eye flight as the Basketball team. Very nice of the United flight attendants when we arrived to welcome us to Cleveland and then say We would like to congratulate the Akron Zips Men's Basketball team on their 2 wins in Las Vegas ... which was followed by passengers' applause. It's been a great Fall.

I agree, and I chided Marla Ridenour on twitter for her comment (on twitter) "Small crowd for @IDPotatoBowl @ZipsFB". Was it really necessary to tweet that negative comment. Folks who were watching could see that for themselves. I'm so pleased the Zips were there and won and happy for all those who were able to travel. I totally support UA for sending all whom they did.

The NCAA lack of marketing may be true, but I'm not sure you can depend on professional soccer fans to fill the stands for the college game as it currently is. The NCAA needs to make a few rules changes to bring the game more in line with the pro sport. Count up on the clock and limit substitutions to maybe 6 and no reentry. Still think the appeal in Cary is not only Duke being in the honor area but UNC Elon NC State High Point et al close by. I still think that if the College Cup can be played in Cary, Philadelphia, Kansas City, etc then the PNW is a viable option.

Looking at 2015 as a whole, you can add - Women's Basketball in the WNIT - Shawn Barber winning gold at IAAF Track & Field World Championships also, Former Soccer Head Coach, Caleb Porter, and former players, Cameron Knowles, Pablo Moreira, Darlington Nagbe, Ben Zemanski, and Michael Nanchoff win MLS Cup [with the Portland Timbers] 2015 has been a GREAT year to be a Zips fan and University of Akron alumnus. Go Zips! This Is Akron!

Thanks CK!

Can somebody help me, please. There must be something wrong with my computer when I look this list. Besides Richie, Adam, and Victor, the only other MAC player I can find is Joey Piatczyc from West Virginia at 55. I can't find the MAC PotY (in this case, pronounced ), Russell Cicerone.

The temperature in this arena is actually comfortable. I agree with you about the JAR. Even after dropping 80 pounds recently, I find the temperature in the JAR uncomfortably warm and enjoy the refreshing walk back to the parking deck after games. Minor issue, however; Zips sports are treating us well IMHO. Happy to see so many Zips fans here in Vegas.

Yes. http://gozips.com/sports/msoc/2015-16/bios/laryea_richie_ez1z ...has a younger brother, Reginald... http://www.rednationonline.ca/Articles2015/AcloserlookatCanadasU20callups.aspx ...The following are the list of players selected

 GK- Christian Kaiswatum | CAN / FC Edmonton Reserves GK- Marvis Kreitling | GER / TSG Sprockhovel GK- James Pantemis | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal CB- Quinn Bredin | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency CB- Reginald Laryea | CAN / Sigma FC ... Looks like he plays holding MF for Sigma... Sigma FC holding midfielder Reggie Laryea attending his second youth national team camp this week with #canM20 I've seen Reggie listed as CB and holding MF. I'm sure Jared and Leo will use his talents where needed and best fit for the Zips. Wouldn't be the first time a player plays in a different spot in our formation.

Another from Sigma. Thanks for posting that Zach.

This thread is probably the best place for this. I thought it was fun when I saw it on twitter and that I needed to share with Zipsnation... Steve Zakuani ‏@Zakuani11 5:07 PM - 18 Dec 20151st time seeing @darlingtonnagbe since he became @MLS champion.. had to put him to work and keep him humble! #barber

I get to watch Zips Men's Basketball and enjoy Las Vegas. With some advanced planning, relatively inexpensive trip with non-stop flights. It's a GOOD thing, not to be questioned. Some very nice scheduling in my opinion. Go Zips!

Morris is already #Think(ing)Bigger. He's just wanting the Zips to #PerformBigger as all of us would like. Regardless, I still enjoy Zips Men's Basketball and am looking forward to supporting them in Vegas as well as at home. GO ZIPS!

2015 MLS Year in Review | Portland Timbers ...Most Outstanding Player Head coach Caleb Porter touted all season that his club lacks a true star, noting they didn’t have an All-Star or Best XI selection this season. But the one key in the Timbers turnaround was his shifting of Darlington Nagbe into a central role, allowing him to dictate more the pace offensively while also playing a big part defensively. His numbers weren’t gaudy, just five goals and five assists, but without Nagbe the Timbers don’t win the Cup. ...

Why not an assistant coach as opposed to a scout? People probably think I'm not a Browns fan at all with the comments I've made on here. They are my NFL team, but if they had to rely on me for revenue, they'd be in a world of hurt. A number of years ago I realized it was bad for my health to care when their management didn't. When they prove they care, perhaps I will again. It is less stressful this way.

It's time to start this thread. Portland Timbers Re-sign Ben Zemanski, ...

@fknbuflobo ... I almost forgot, you really watched that match 3 times? smh

@fknbuflobo I have been waiting patiently for your astute, analytic observations. I feel for you my friend because I know how much you love Akron Zips Mens Soccer, and I too, was devastated to see a great opportunity missed. However, I suggest that instead of putting away your A-Roo flag, you should step back a moment and reflect upon whether you wish to wallow in the self-pity befitting a Cleveland Browns fan or rise above that into the glass is almost full world of 2015 Akron Zips Mens Soccer where: a. Akron rose from < Top 25 to participate in the College Cup and finish #3 in the Coaches Poll, b. Jared Embick proved to the naysayers that he could accomplish a), and that it could still be done at Akron after Caleb Porter, c. the Portland Timbers led by former Zips' HC Caleb Porter with 2 former Zips players as assistant coaches and 3 former players on the roster just won the MLS Cup in Columbus, OH, d. the Columbus Crew, with 3 former Zips on the roster, also played in the MLS Cup, e. former Zips Darlington Nagbe of the aforementioned Portland TImbers just got his US citizenship a few months ago and has already competed in 2 World Cup Qualifiers, f. the Zips coaching staff can point to a) through e) above when talking to potential recruits and their coaches; Akron is a GREAT place to play soccer and continue to develop soccer skills I can't predict for certain when the Zips will return to the College Cup. I'd like to see Richie and Adam both back with the Zips next season. I don't know about the GA pursuit of Richie, but if true, best wishes to him If it's a good deal, I wish him the best and hope he goes on to be the next ZipStar in the professional ranks. As far as Adam, MLS Homegrown deals aren't often that sweet, and I believe the majority of the homegrowns haven't done well in MLS. Adam is a very smart young man. I trust that he will give due diligence before making any decision opting out of his senior year. I also trust that Jared and staff have some talented recruits joining us next season and that others on our squad have had another good season maturing and will be ready to step up in 2016. I know we will have a senior Brazilian midfielder who is ready to step into a captains role; he was a team leader this season without the armband. I won't lie. There is still an emptiness that we didn't get the Championship. I wanted to celebrate with these guys. However, I take solace in personally knowing our team was the best. They just didn't get that 1 additional break they needed in the semi-final. I'm not being arrogant. I just know what I've seen throughout this season. They are Champions. They don't have to hold the NCAA trophy to prove that to me. I wish them all the best and look forward to supporting them in 2016.