Zip_ME87

Kudos to Jared and staff for this awesome schedule. Sucks that Michigan dropped us, but oh well. Their loss. I'm sure UCLA is looking forward to visiting Akron in November. I give them huge credit for coming. Wimpy Gauchos have yet to return our trip from a few years ago, but we're going there again. I guess they're afraid of freezing their tortillas in Akron.

Yes. Caleb can be so intense in competition, but he can also be a great friend outside that competition.

The tissue at hand: Portland's Caleb Porter sheds light on postgame incident with FC Dallas' Oscar Pareja http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2015/04/05/watch-oscar-pareja-and-caleb-porter-exchange-words-after-final-whistle#ooid=00cHBjdDoQly_k8_OyejLYLhjzQH1IX_ "I walked over to shake his hand and he had a tissue that he put over his nose and tried to hand me a tissue," Timbers head coach Caleb Porter said in the postgame press conference. "So I thought it was very poor sportsmanship out of him [Pareja]. I never said one word to him the whole game and he obviously wasn't happy with the loss. "But I've never had a coach come up and disrespect me like that. So that's what happened." No word yet on Pareja's version of the events. EDIT: Not sure you have to read lips to figure out what Caleb is saying as he points to the scoreboard (3-1 Timbers), grabs the tissue, tosses it and walks on.

I was tired when I first posted late last night, but the tenacious players who represented Akron so well deserve to be named: If I can remember correctly, they were Fenlason, Dambrot, Ruhaak, Radjen, Cregan, Laryea, Najem, DeVera, Gainford, + Holthusen, Dos Santos, & Mitch Hepburn? (#29) [student asst in 2014]. The Zips only had the 3 subs who traveled available vs what appeared to be a full Cardinals complement. Adversity is an understatement. Edit: Slight error. DeMoya was available to sub at GK and Rubio traveled as well.

Down 2, the "9" were still attacking as well as defending. Should have had a PK on a flagrant (obvious to everyone except the ref who a short while afterward "lost" a contact lens) handball in the penalty area. Zips also had a number of other good chances. Most of the last 15 minutes seemed to be a barrage of Carinals attempts at goal, but the "9" Zips' defense was outstanding. Very impressive work by the "9" (not actually 9 since there were subs). Also impressive Richie Laryea's goal when the Zips were down 1 man. EDIT: Someone behind me commented the Zips must be so agressive because Lolla used to be our coach and he's been so successful at Louisville. I turned around and said absolutely not. The Zips won a National Championship after he left. How many has Louisville won in his 9 seasons here?

Armchair Analyst: Darlington Nagbe's evolution & a future in the USMNT midfield | Thursday Q&AUnfortunately does not include any update on Darlington's quest for US citizenship.

#TeamOhio and #karma

@ZipsMSoc just retweeted UL Soccer that Saturday's Spring match has been moved up to 5 pm. https://twitter.com/UofLmenssoccer/status/583280521372962816

I don't know what motivates Americans to choose a specific EPL team ... relatives, ancestors, friends, ? ... but I choose Tottenham over any other as long as there is a former Zip on the team. If another former Zip were to go to the EPL, then I would follow multiple teams like I do with MLS.

Man Crush Monday: Feeling patriotic over DeAndre Yedlin... It’s really the kind of thing to inspire patriotism, so God bless America. Oh, and I guess bless Tottenham, too?

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.