Zip_ME87

Good points. I, too, would have liked to see the Zips and others, except Stanford, score more in the College Cup this year. However, I was impressed by the Zips shutting Stanford out, especially with their 1.86 goal scoring average entering our match.

@ZIP, you've got to be kidding. Comparing Penn State v Duke turnout in Duke's back yard and 480 miles from Penn State to Stanford v Clemson, 900+ miles from the closer school and 1850+ from the other. MORONS. I give the NCAA credit for trying to showcase Mens Soccer in various places in the country. Given the rain we experienced at the Championship Game in Cary in 2009 and the Championship game this year in KC, perhaps they should try for Portland or Seattle where the general populous appreciates the game. Plus, who doesn't like visiting all of the great local breweries in Portland not to mention the scenery of the Pacific NW.

I feel sorry for those who don't appreciate the beauty of soccer that all they're interested in is scoring. Since coming to appreciate soccer, I find all of the times out in football and basketball, and the "and the pitch" in baseball to be extremely boring compared to a well-played soccer match. I guess it was probably less interesting on television. Imagine if you had all the times out you get in a football or basketball game, though. Would be totally unwatchable. I agree @ZIP that the crowds in Houston are likely to not be much better exactly as you stated --- no major Mens Soccer programs nearby. I'm hopeful more Zips fans would be willing to travel to Houston, though, as the weather should be better. (Although I have been in a December snowfall in Houston once.)

@TennZip: I agree that they need to revoke the vote of the 1 coach that voted Clemson #1 @UAZipster0305: I understand your logic, but Clemson getting one round further secured the runner-up trophy. I couldn't see the coaches voting them less than #2. Unfortunately, we didn't get past Stanford even though we had the opportunities. Given the ZIps' Goals Against Average early this season, it's a huge accomplishment by Jake Fenlason and our defenders that Stanford did not score. Although, as a wise man said on 9/11/2015, There is not much statistical promise in allowing 2 goals per match, the Zips defense improved and made it to the semifinals with a 1.26 GAA entering the match and came darn close to getting to the title game. By the way, Stanford was scoring 1.86 goals/game entering our match. I quit "licking wounds" Saturday morning. This Zips team had a great season with absolutely nothing to hang their heads about. It didn't end the way we wanted, but it was a great season. Thanks to Jared, Leo, TJ, Ger, Oliver, the rest of the staff and all of our very talented players. Now I just have to occupy my time until Spring when MLS training starts followed shortly after by our Spring schedule.

Are you sure? How many have you watched since 2010? Anything in Cary likely gets support due to the number of good soccer schools in the area. But, how was the support in Alabama and Philadelphia? 2011 may have looked decent with Charlotte and UNC in the final given relative proximity. There was a decent crowd behind the teams (off camera) at Sporting Park, but not nearly as many as I recall at UCSB. I disagree with holding the College Cup at the highest seed as scottditzen suggested. Logistics are too difficult not knowing the top seed until 1 week before. I also liked the feel of the MLS park. I'm happy to see that next season they're finally going to an MLS Stadium with a major hub airport nearby and in a southern climate. Orlando or Miami would be nice choices in the future as would the Stub Hub Center in Carson, CA. Just my opinion.

Thanks @TennZip. I never saw that article and it was what I really needed as I sit here in my hotel room near the Kansas City Int'l Airport awaiting my return home tomorrow. As I previously told fknbuflobo, I'm really going to miss Andrew Souders. I hope an MLS team gives him an opportunity. Who knows, he is the last Akron recruit to play for Caleb. Perhaps the Timbers will give him a look. Although, now that I think about it as I type, I think he was in the Crew Academy. I stil don't understand the MLS Homegrown rules as to when and how much time a player had to be in a team's academy for them to have homegrown rights. Andrew in Columbus would be excellent. I commend Richie for a great season and for maturing in the post season. He had a run of 6 games in the regular season without a yellow card, and he told me he could do it in the post season. And, of course he did. I hope he'll stick around for his senior season and learn and mature that much more while helping the Zips get to another College Cup. I can't say enough about how Victor Souto matured after the 2015 Spring match at Louisville. The 3 yellow cards he had in the regular season were all for what I'll call "good" aggressive play. The trip to Brazil, I think, really helped him to step up as team leader. I also hope Adam returns to Akron for his senior season and to get his degree. Ilook forward to his skills and team leadership for another season. I'm looking forward to the new recruiting class and where this team could be in 2016 if our key underclassmen stick around.

Yes. Well-written and well-deserved article. Looking at the woulda-shoulda-coulda at this point does no good. Just take the lessons learned and hunger into the next season and do even better. Hopefully, all of our key underclassmen return, others on the squad progress and step up, and the recruiting class fills in the gaps. Now that Jared has proven we can continue to compete at the top level, our fan base needs to get back on board with attendance this team deserves at every game. GO ZIPS! Edit: I did email Marla again today thanking her for this article and noting that our hometown newspaper should be proud and onboard with us like this.

Groupthink doesn't come solely from being "yes men". People with similar backgrounds and connections likely have similar experience bases and 'think" along the same lines. It's easy to say, 'win the elction' and get your people appointed. That should never be acceptable in the same way gerrymandering by the party in power shouldn't be accepted. The United States is a very diverse country, and should strive to have that diversity represented at all levels of government and public entities. Oftentimes elections are won by a slim majority. That doesn't give that majority the right to discount and not represent others' ideas.

I hope some, actually all, of you who posted your disdain for that horrible article from the BJ, took a moment to email the writer, cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com. I wasn't happy with Marla Ridenour's negative slant to the Zips Mens Soccer team's preformance in the College Cup semi-final, and courteously let her know in an email. We have a lot of which to be proud this year, and our hometown newspaper needs to join us.

By the way, I believe I overheard a Sporting Park rep telling one of our Ath Dept administrators he was hoping for us to get through partly due to the way the AKRowdies were representing us. GREAT job!

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/ua-zips/university-of-akron-zips-blog-1.277207/stanford-ousts-ua-8-7-on-penalty-kicks-in-ncaa-soccer-semifinals-1.647150 Perhaps not as bad as you were thinking it would be, but still written from a negative angle. There was so much positive about this team and season, I wish Marla had taken a different tact. Here is the email I sent her a few minutes ago... Marla, Thank you for all of the great articles that you’ve published recently about Zips Mens Soccer; however, I was disappointed to read the way you chose to write today. In Northeast Ohio, we’re so used to losing with the Browns, Indians, etc., it seems that it’s become ingrained to write everything from the negative point of view. I know I may be somewhat jaded because I love Zips Mens Soccer so much, but you could have easily written your article from the positive point of view and been much more effective, in my opinion. I contend that Zips Mens Soccer is one of a few ‘gems’ we have in NEO, like Mt Union Football and LeBron James. You could have entitled your article something like, "Zips Outstanding Season ends in College Cup Semi-Final PK Shootout 7-8". These Zips were not even ranked in the Top 25 to start the season and rose to be seeded #4 in the NCAA Tournament, after playing a grueling schedule on the road and at home, fearing no one. In last night’s game, they shut down Jordan Morris, a USMNT member, and played through the adversity of having no shots in the first half to giving themselves a number of opportunities in the second. Jake Fenlason made a number of outstanding saves during the run of play and gave his team the opportunity to advance in the round of PKs. What a great performance on which to end his Zips Mens Soccer career. And, so on. Off the field, these Zips received a number of All America Honors, and Tyler Sanda was named the Elite 90 Mens Soccer Award recipient for the highest GPA of all players participating in the College Cup. This team also has 13 team members with GPA’s greater than 3.2 and seven of those above 3.5. I couldn’t be more proud of this team. They and all of us should hold our heads high. Jared Embick, his staff, and these players deserve all the accolades they’ve received and more. Yes, I’m disappointed in the way it ended because I wanted to celebrate a National Championship with this great group of young men. They may not have the trophy, but they are Champions. I ask in the future that you please re-consider how you look at things, but I also thank you for the coverage.

No, but it continues to be a HUGE issue that they can't admit to what they actually were doing. How many other half truths or less are ongoing. I understand that I may not agree with what Scarborough and company want to do, but at least I would respect them if they were forthright about it.

Just caught this, 3 coaches, by the way...Caleb Porter, of course, and assistants Cameron Knowles and Pablo Moreira played for the Zips. It is a GREAT time, as you said, to be a Zips fan and a University of Akron alumnus. I would love to be at the Bowl game, but I already have pre-paid plans to be with Zips Mens Basketball in Las Vegas. I looked at flights from Vegas to Boise, but it takes too much time and defeats the purpose of going to Vegas. I hope others make it to Boise. First bowl appearance in 10 years, and only the 2nd of the D-1A era, is something to be part of if possible. Happy for Terry, his staff, and all of our players. GO ZIPS!

https://twitter.com/Loosfootball/status/674329057400524800 .... @JewsburyJ Yes, Legend, Caleb did just drop the F-bomb on KATU.

MLSSoccer.com ... College Cup field set as Sporting KC's Sporting Park welcomes NCAA men's soccer championship matches ... US national team striker and Seattle Sounders academy product Jordan Morris (pictured) is one of 10 Stanford players with MLS academy ties, while Akron – former home of Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter and several of his club's standouts – boast seven such players, including New York Red Bulls academy midfielder Adam Najem, whose overtime free kick sent Akron to the semifinals. ... Four-team field set for NCAA Division I Men's College Cup at Sporting Park ...How they got to KC: Akron beat Creighton 3-2 in a double-overtime thriller on Saturday to clinch their fourth College Cup appearance and third since 2009. After a scoreless first half, the Zips twice took the lead only for Creighton to produce quick equalizers. Adam Najem netted the game-winner in the 102nd minute as the Blue Jays suffered elimination in the quarterfinals for the second straight year....

SEND OFF PARTY Wednesday, Dec. 9 Time: 1 p.m. ET Place: Louis and Freda Stile Athletics Field House Fans are asked to enter through the main entrance on Union Street. GoZips.com College Cup Information

YES! I'm out of likes. I wanted the continuity, and I was talking to Caleb at the time and he told me he endorsed Jared fully. It was still hard for me to tell how much of that was because he truly believed in Jared, or how much was due to loyalty. This past weekend was beyond anything I ever imagined for Zips Mens Soccer. Our former coach who brought us to glory in 2010 won it at the professional level with the Portland Timbers in Columbus, Ohio. While focused on his goal, he provided us GREAT press at the same time. Portland Timers-Caleb Porter-Darlington Nagbe, et al ARE MLS Cup Champs while the Zips are competing in the College Cup and pursuing that 2nd Star. WOW! I hope that folks realize with the MLS Homegrown rules and star players leaving early for the draft, we have to be patient at times. We are going to have to accept that rebuilding may be part of the process.

A number, but probably not as many as those in Portland who were upset with Caleb Porter earlier this season and others contemplating his return to the college game.

Congrats to Adam, Richie, & Stuart on making this TDS mens team of the week. Yes, Brandon Vincent is the other Stanford semifinalist. http://www.machermanntrophy.org/2015-semifinalists/

Adam Najem Top Drawer Soccer Goal of the Week. We’re taking a week off from our College Goal of the Week vote to get ready for our epic TDS Goal of the Year contest next week. That’s good news for you, but it also left us with a golazo-sized hole in our soccer hearts this week. Adam Najem wanted that to not be a thing, so he did this, and man are we thanking him for it.

I'll happily say I was wrong on this if it turns out that way, but there is a big difference between Caleb winning ONE with Akron and Bruce Arena winning FIVE NCAA Titles. Only time will tell. Now is definitely not the time to be "Debbie Downer". We just had a great soccer weekend in Ohio. I'm looking forward to an even better one in Kansas City. GO ZIPS!

The turd with the "F Ohio" scarf is seriously making me rethink my position. Without Ohio, Portland would not have won the MLS Cup.

Unfortunately, I think it became an afterthought when the final whistle blew yesterday. "Won MLS Cup 3 years after taking over Portland Timbers. Also won NCAA Championship at Akron."

FC Cincinnati Announces First Eleven Players Talked to Eric yesterday at MLS Cup. He never mentioned this.

I was just at Utah State in Logan, UT for the SmallSat Conference back in August. Nice campus. Saw the Portland Timbers beat RSL that following weekend in Sandy, UT. I like the matchup.