Zip_ME87

Brennan is only a junior. Hopefully, we'll see him commit to the Zips for 2016. http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/6084630023141733176/copleys-chris-brennan-wins-2014-15-gatorade-ohio-boys-soccer-player-of-the-year/ The junior forward racked up 23 goals and 14 assists this past season, powering the Indians (20-1-1) to the Division I state semifinals where they lost to St. Ignatius, 1-0.

Wil Trapp and Alfred Karoma (yes, Alfred Karoma Shams is our Alfred Karoma) called into USMNT U23 camp. The team will train from March 23-26 and then face Bosnia’s U-23 National Team on Friday, March 27, in Tuzla, before travelling to face Denmark on Tuesday, March 31. EDIT: http://www.columbuscrewsc.com/news/2015/03/crew-sc-midfielder-wil-trapp-earns-call-united-states-under-23-squad-friendly Columbus Crew SC today announced that midfielder Wil Trapp has been named to U.S. Soccer’s Under-23 roster that is set to face Denmark in a friendly on March 31 in Copenhagen. The Crew SC midfielder is slated to depart following the Black & Gold’s March 28 Major League Soccer match against the New York Red Bulls, rejoining Crew SC after international duty. ... ...After the March 28 tilt against the Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium, Crew SC has an MLS bye weekend on April 4-5 before a two-match road swing, traveling to face Vancouver (April 8) and New England (April 11).

Yedlin called up to USMNT for European Friendlies March 25 (Denmark) and March 31 (Switzerland).

Game vs Walsh as noted above had Souders and Laryea but it was a split squad. Souders and Laryea did not travel to Columbus. The Crew had all but one of their starters in the first half, I believe, They completely substituted at half. So, the Zips who worked their butts off in the first half to keep up with MLS starters played a fresh MLS team in the 2nd half with few subs due to the split squad. Although the final score may not have reflected it, the Zips represented well vs the Crew. BTW, the Zips won the aggragate 7-6 on the day. I really like how these Zips are coming together. Keep working hard guys!

My point was that we thought it couldn't be better than Ken Lolla. He left; we lamented it. Caleb Porter was available and was hired. We got a National Championship, a 2nd runner up, multiple Zips on pro soccer teams, an Akron Head Coach chiding "Zips fans" for wearing blOSU gear, etc.. We were lucky (Mega, if you want) that the timing of Lolla's departure allowed for Caleb's hiring. Lolla said it couldn't be done at Akron...perhaps that was added incentive for Caleb, although I doubt he needed it. So ironic that our National Championship came in a game vs Ken Lolla's Louisville team. Still hasn't been done in 9 years at Louisville after 13 (?) at Akron.

@CK - who was the AD that hired Caleb? Mike Wadell? (That timeframe of changing AD's is gray to me.)

Well said UAZip0510. Now that I read your post, maybe I was pointing out everything (big and small) to justify my agenda for change. UA Mens Soccer lucked out when Ken Lolla left to go to Louisville. UA soccer fans were comfortable with what we had and lamented his departure. Lolla wasn't a bad guy and had made the program a perennial contender (but not an elite D-1 program). Fortunately, Caleb was hired and came in with his passion and ideas and took it that next step. We could be comfortable with our Ath Dept as is, but I'd prefer to take the risk to possibly do better. I want to think we can get an AD with the passion and belief in UA to get us "out of the rut", as you say.

I have a problem with the "get off your high horse", but I didn't mean that anyone should be kicked off the board for posting it. Poorly stated, but my point was using statements like that are incendiary just like calling someone or someone's ideas a-hole. deleted the garbage I stated

The facts as you see them. I referred to your remarks as a-hole, not you. "took a pay cut and sacrificed job stability" is a fact. That he did so "to leave us" is not. He took a pay cut and sacrificed job stability by leaving us to pursue his ultimate goal of coaching the USMNT. Before he left, he told me not to accept the "mid-major mentality" because U of A can be so much more. We had a number of conversations while he was at UA and a few text exchanges since he's been gone. EDIT (because I didn't finish my statement): He continues to believe in UA because of the caring fans he knows are here.

You don't know Porter like I do. So stop making assumptions. That's exactly the kind of asshole remarks that have no place on ZN.o. If you can't respect someone else's opinion/answers, don't ask or comment.

Someone who has this guy's passion and belief in U of A.

Your leaving doesn't make me happy or sad. I don't know what you expected of this thread. You asked for our opinions and you got them. Sorry if we didn't all agree with your point of view. None of us are making the decision anyway.

Exactly.

Too bad you miss the point. I just provided you another example of things that are lacking. UA Ath Dept. MARKETING SUCKS. Just giving you an example of how poor it is ... People who are on the payroll can't even update an existing website.

Perhaps you should visit this other ZipsNation thread.

@a-zip I've got 1 for you: How the f hard is it to update your own freakin website, GoZips.com, to inform Zips Soccer fans of the Spring Soccer schedules. 1. The Zips Mens Soccer team was supposed to play the Riverhounds and Wright State in Akron. On March 9th, the Riverhounds website informed that the game had been moved to Pittsburgh. GoZips.com did not provide that information until March 12th. It would be nice for Zips fans to have as much time as possible to adjust plans if possible. 2. It seems GoZips.com can't post the Women's Spring Schedule at all. 3. Apparently, the Mens Spring game in Columbus this Friday is closed to the public per @ZipsMSoc twitter. Nothing has shown up yet on GoZips.com. I realize Spring games are just exhibition, but there are a lot of Zips soccer fans who like to go and support our teams and see how they look just like Zips Football fans enjoy the Spring Practices and game. How rinky-dink can you get that you can't keep your fans informed timely on your own website. Why the H&ll does the Ath Dept have Sports Information Directors? The AD should be on top of this. UA is already paying for this marketing. USE IT!!!

Perhaps we should all e-mail him. Sean Palchick spalchick@uakron.edu Sean Palchick was named the Assistant Director for Athletics Communications at The University of Akron in November 2014. Palchick handles the public relations efforts and gameday management for the men's soccer and cross country/track and field programs...

That sucks.

I've e-mailed the Akron Ath Dept to try to confirm. I thought the original Spring games announcement on GoZips.com stated the match was at the training facility in Obetz, but looking back at it, it does not. I can't remember how I originally knew it will be there, but I did confirm that with one of the Zips Mens Soccer team assistants in Pittsburgh. He did not indicate that it wasn't open to the public, but I didn't specifcally ask. Although, I did say "see you Friday vs the Crew"... edit: ...and he gave me no indication that I couldn't be there.

For those planning to go to the Zips v Crew Spring match this Friday (March 20th), my understanding is that it is not at Mapfre (Crew) Stadium, but at Columbus Crew Training Facility - 4153 Alum Creek Dr, Obetz, OH, 43207.

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2015/03/the-mls-grinder-the-walking-shea/ Caleb Porter is changing About 16 minutes into Sunday’s Timbers-Galaxy game, there was an instructive moment of interchange between John Strong and Alexi Lalas on the Fox broadcast on Caleb Porter and possession soccer. This came after the Timbers coughed up another quick burst of possession on the near sideline. Lalas: “We’ve also mentioned three or four times the direct play of the Portland Timbers. In talking to Caleb Porter, it’s a very different type of Caleb Porter than we’ve seen in the past. The way that he thinks about this team and how this team is going to get results this year. Very pragmatic. Almost humbled, if you will. I’m not sure I like that type of Caleb Porter.” Strong: “You two had quite the conversation about that idea, of the way the Timbers want to play. And Porter, his philosophy right now is basically whatever gets us to win games is the way we want to play.” Lalas: “We had a long conversation about possession and just possession for possession or purposeful possession and all the things people talk about when they talk about possession. I think he’s recognized that being direct right now is the way to go. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to possess the ball. It doesn’t matter how much possession you do or don’t have, you still have to do the little things right. Like defend set pieces.” Sad words, all of them. If we’ve established already that the “long ball” (aka “diagonal ball”) is not in itself bad, then we also acknowledge that Porter playing for wins through the conduit of any means necessary (and not an aesthetic one) isn’t itself a negative. But Porter isn’t that kind of coach. The sadness in it revolves around the fact that over the top ball and playing your most dangerous soccer on the break isn’t who Porter is. He wants to dazzle through the midfield. With this team, on turf (I SAID THOSE WORDS) it isn’t possible to do it and win in MLS. So he’s adapted. As good coaches do. We’ll touch on exactly what the Timbers are doing differently in later Grinders. But as you saw in Portland’s wild 2-2 draw with LA, the Timbers got almost all of their most dangerous attacking moments through quick-burst soccer. Porter will play this way as long as he has to, but wow… I want the old Caleb back. At Peak Porter, there’s nobody in American soccer coaching quite like him. I don't understand why Portland has turf rather than grass. It's a soccer only stadium. With the drainage systems available, I can't believe that they cannot have grass.

I think the limit is 2 likes in a 24-hour period. I agree there shouldn't be a limit or at the least, the limit should be more reasonable.

Yes. I remember being set against hiring TB. After experiencing the 2nd worse hire in D1 history, and meeting TB, I admit I was wrong at the time. I'm still skeptical given last season's disappointment, but I'm hopeful he'll get it done this season or next. He'll not be able to point back at others' mistakes.

With the excitement surrounding the new stadium at that time, I wonder where our football attendance figures would be had UA hired TB in the first place rather than digging the iCrater. Zipsnation will never know.

So you say. If Dr. Scarborough agrees UA Athletics are on the right course, then TW will remain. Personally, I think we should expect more. Difference of opinions. I admit that I cannot forget the iCoach debacle. Add to that the apparent lack of a decent marketing strategy and the frustration that Caleb Porter felt when he left (even though that didn't drive him away), and I'm steadfast in my opinion.