Zip_ME87

I don't think there was enough movement in the midfield or upfront. No plan as to how to score or even maintain possession. The defense was on it's heels because MD was on our half of the pitch so much. Also, I heard a lot of communication between the MD players and almost none between the Zips players. Players need to take responsibility and step up. Even though he was only a Freshman, Perry Kitchen wasn't afraid to give direction. Same with Wil Trapp as a Freshman and Sophomore. The Captain needs to speak up but so do others.

... In walked Landon Donovan. He told his teammates what the rest of the world would soon find out: For the first time in more than a decade, he wouldn’t be playing in the World Cup. Yedlin was stunned, but in his head, he’d done the math. Seven players gone. Twenty-three left. He called Dylan, his uncle, the man who’d taught him how to play. “Oh my god,” DeAndre said. “Holy shit,” said Dylan. “Ho-leeee shit.” It dawned on Yedlin: His life would never be the same.

I'm not too concerned with the number of freshmen on this team. If I remember 2009 correctly, Zarek Valentin, Chad Barson, and David Meves were freshmen starters. Then in a number of games including the scoreless final with Virginia, we saw Scott Caldwell, Ben Speas, and Yorum Mwila (RIP).

I agree. A defender from Seattle, San Jose, Vancouver, perhaps Denver or Salt Lake...a team relatively close by would have been a better choice.

Well, Caleb took no other former Zips. I really thought he'd select Wil Trapp, but he stayed loyal to the Timbers with Will Johnson. Garber selected Valeri.

Thanks for engaging in discussion. I agree with you on Valeri and Wright-Phillips. I would definitely take Trapp, and I'd still take Kofi. (In my original post, I said 2 of the 5.) I really don't know anything about the others you mentioned... I know I'm biased to the Akron guys. Perhaps Garber will select Trapp as he seems to pick a verteran and a talented young player. At any rate, I think 2 additional former Zips aren't out of the question. Porter might take a little flack for favoring his former players, but those selections can be spread around several MLS teams.

NBC4 Columbus last night Wil Trapp's soccer genes go way back http://www.nbc4i.com/video?clipId=10379001&autostart=true

Columbus has not been playing well, either, but I definitely think Trapp, too, when you look at his statistics. For the tactical considerations, I think you could select Nagbe, no matter how poorly Portland is doing. Nagbe is technically gifted. I disagree with you about Kofi. He may not be as flashy as DeAndre, but he's had numerous spectacular saves with the Dynamo, albeit they haven't necessarily occurred this season. I believe DeAndre is the only fulback in the Fan Xi; Kofi could be the other. Who would you select as the other fullback? I also disagree with you about Perry. He may not get national accolades, but DCU is doing well this year, and he's a significant part of it. However, I don't think you could select both Wil and Perry. Mattocks' speed could be a huge help in this match, and we all know how competitive Caleb is. This may be a "friendly", but he'll still do everything possible to win. By the way, I believe all 5 whom I mentioned were on the MLS All Star fan ballot. So, someone thought they could be All Star material

Any thoughts on who Caleb Porter might select to complete his MLS All Star gameday roster? http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2014/news/article/2014/07/15/all-star-nine-usmnt-world-cup-veterans-former-champion-thierry-henry-lead-wa "There aren't yet any Portland Timbers players on this year's group, but All-Star and Timbers head coach Caleb Porter could well send some when he names the rest of his All-Star game-day roster, to be revealed on July 19 during halftime of the ESPN2 broadcast of the Sporting Kansas City-LA Galaxy game (6 pm ET). The Fan XI will not necessarily be the starting lineup against Bayern Munich, though. The 20-man game-day roster will be decided from among the Fan XI, Commissioner Don Garber's two All-Star picks, and players that received at least two votes from their fellow players, all based on player availability and tactical considerations. ... 2014 MLS All-Star Fan XI: Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders) Midfielders: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) Forwards: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders)" Perhaps Darlington Nagbe, Wil Trapp, Perry Kitchen, Kofi Sarkodie, Darren Mattocks. I would think he'd pick at least 2 of these guys if they get the 2 votes needed from their fellow players. I don't know if that means 2 votes from their own teammates or 2 votes from any active MLS player? I guess we find out on Saturday (July 19th).

Road to Columbus: Wil Trapp http://www.thecrew.com/news/2014/07/road-columbus-wil-trapp I was thinking about going to Columbus this Saturday, but I like to know for certain that I will get to see at least 1 former Zip in action before I drive down there. Wil got 2 yellows (red) last night against SKC. I couldn't really see what happened on that 2nd yellow, but it wasn't clear to me that he deserved it.

... and throwing out the first pitch for his hometown Seattle Mariners, meeting the QB of his hometown SuperBowl Champion Seattle Seahawks, flying down to LA for the ESPYs and likely socializing there during and after, his Sounders on top of MLS by a significant margin, ... Rough week. Wonder if DeAndre's looking forward to re-living Caleb's yelling when he's being coached in the All Star Game?

Announced as one of the fan XI for the MLS AllStar Game http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2014/news/article/2014/07/15/all-star-nine-usmnt-world-cup-veterans-former-champion-thierry-henry-lead-wa and getting an ESPY with the USMNT. Nice day for DeAndre Yedlin.

For Zips fans who will be watching the ESPYs tonight, DeAndre Yedlin tweeted his arrival in LA. No idea what he's doing there. https://twitter.com/yedlinny/status/489231196224634880 Edit: Well, just a little research, and I would have known that the USMNT was up for "Best Moment" for USA v Ghana.

Yedlin throws first pitch. Starts around 1:21 in the video.

A number of DeAndre Yedlin rumors... http://soundersnation.com/2014/07/14/sounders-seeking-6-5-million-deandre-yedlin/

Sounders' DeAndre Yedlin still finding footing as newest sensation http://seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2024057522_soundersdeandreyedlin13xml.html

DeAndre Yedlin bidding war heats up. http://theamericanpitch.com/2014/07/14/deandre-yedlin-bidding-war-heats/

The Best Uncapped American Player + MLS Homegrown Growth --- Wil Trapphttp://tempofreesoccer.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-best-uncapped-american-player-mls.html

I believe the deadline to Renew season tix was June 2nd. I think you can still order them and get a scarf.

He said, she said. Whatever. I'm happy for the kids in NE Ohio who look up to LeBron. He can do so much more being local year round. Still remember giving my LeBron bobblehead to a kid who politely asked me for it that night at the JAR. I like to think it means more to him than any value it would have ever brought me.

IMHO LeBron was very smart about how he revealed this decision...SI essay thanking Miami and explaining his heart is here at home in NEO, then heading off to the World Cup Final and letting some of the media hype die down before he returns to it. I appreciate his comparison of his time in Miami to others' experiences in college. I know I returned to NE Ohio with new perspective after living in California and Alabama. One reason I don't get into Akron vs Cleveland or either vs my small town upbringing in Tuscarawas County. We're all NE Ohioans.

I was never a LeBron fan even before the 2010 decision. However, after reading that article and how much he seems to have learned and matured, I'm now a fan. Born and raised in NE Ohio, I really appreciate the respect of this area that he published today. If you want to be so petty as to say I "backtracked" so be it. People make mistakes, learn, grow, forgive, and forget. It's human nature. Am I going to Cavs games now...No. However, I respect LeBron now and am happy for him and for Cavs fans.

MLSSoccer.com's take has Darlington, Wil, and DeAndre starting. http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/07/08/23-2018-usmnt-world-cup-post-mortem-part-5-brazil-bound

This is kinda fun to revisit. Humble and talented, DeAndre Yedlin has a promising career ahead of him (si.com, January 31, 2014) http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/01/31/deandre-yedlin-seattle-sounders-us-mens-national-team "...A trip to Brazil is unlikely. ..." "...At some point, Yedlin’s ascendancy will have to slow down. He’d be on his way to Brazil and then the Premier League this summer if it continued at its present pace...."

3 Zips alumni make Ives' Goal.com projected roster for World Cup 2018...DeAndre Yedlin, Wil Trapp, Darlington Nagbe. http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2014/07/02/4931548/projecting-the-2018-us-world-cup-squad?CMPID=TWUSA_140702_russialineup