Zip_ME87

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.

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.